The Most Effective Ways to Avoid Calluses on Your Feet

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Usually I prefer comfortable shoes, and still a couple of times over the summer there are unsuccessful walks that end in rather serious damage to the skin of the feet. For a week I am out of order and can neither run nor walk normally. Once again, having “killed” my legs, I decided to collect methods that help to avoid the appearance of calluses on my feet, and at the same time share them with the readers of Lifehacker.

Recommendations that save from calluses can be divided into 4 groups:

1. The right choice of footwear.
2. Preparing shoes for long-term wear.
3. Preparing your legs for increased stress.
4. Safety insurance directly on the walk.

Choosing the right shoes

Naturally, the shoes should be comfortable (even if they are high-heeled shoes). And convenient immediately. Do not be fooled by sellers' assurances that steam will spread over time. As for the materials, the question is controversial. Of course, natural ones are usually better. But where have you seen natural fabric sneakers? Sometimes modern synthetic materials are even better than those from Mother Nature. However, it is safe to say: the better the shoes "breathe", the less chances of ruining your feet.

A non-obvious trick when buying shoes is the timing of the fitting. It is better if it will be the evening after a full working day, when the legs swell a little. This is how you can choose a model that will not create problems later.

Head to the store in the evening for a new pair of shoes.

There is one more nuance: for many people, the sizes of the left and right foot are different. Well, if we are talking about a couple of millimeters. But it is likely that the difference is greater (half a size or even a whole size). If you are not ready to buy two pairs of each model, at least use insoles of different thicknesses or special inserts that are sold in shoe stores, pharmacies and orthopedic salons. But do not buy a pair of smaller foot sizes - the other leg will not become smaller from this, and it will be uncomfortable to walk.

Preparing shoes for long-term wear

In other words, gradual wear. Don't wear new shoes all day at once. Go for a short walk with the dog or to the nearest store in it a couple of times. And if you can't wait, there are several quick ways:

• use special products for breaking shoes, which can be bought at a shoe store;
• stuff the shoes tightly with damp towels and leave overnight;
• wear thick socks.

If time is running out, heating with a hairdryer will help speed up the process.

Preparing your legs for increased stress

Calluses appear if the feet are too wet or, conversely, too dry, and when the skin is too thin.

Excessive sweating of the feet is very difficult to cope with. But you can at least partially solve this problem if you dry your shoes well (take out the insoles, use UV dryers), use antiperspirants for the feet or powder (talcum powder), make baths with herbs (horsetail, mint, chamomile). You should also get rid of the foot fungus - medicated creams really help if you follow the instructions. Sports socks will help wick moisture away.

To make the skin more resistant to damage, it should not be overdried. Foot creams do an excellent job of nourishing the skin, and at the same time can provide an additional deodorant effect. If you remembered this already on a walk, hygienic lipstick will help - you can buy it at any pharmacy and in most supermarkets. Lubricate areas especially prone to the appearance of calluses with it.

If the skin is too thin, tanning agents will help. Many plants contain tannin: tea, oak, chestnut - usually those that have an astringent taste. Baths and creams with their extracts will help make the skin firmer.

The callus-resistant skin of the feet is usually not too thin; it is dry but not overdried. If yours is not yours, grooming procedures will help.

It also makes sense to strengthen the muscles of the foot. Breeding and squeezing fingers, lifting objects from the floor with your toes, rotating are extremely simple exercises that can be done while sitting at a desk.

Safety net directly on the walk

If you are going for a long walk in new shoes, it is better to immediately cover the places where calluses are most often formed with a plaster. There are transparent patches that are invisible even in open shoes.

Plasters can be glued not only on the foot, but also on the shoes themselves. Even generally comfortable shoes are too stiff in some places. Then this method might help the best.