Calluses? To Remove or not to Remove?

flyswatty

Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Walked in May 2012 - Burgos to Santiago; Planning to walk in May 2013 - SJPP to Burgos!

• Mar 26, 2013

• #1

Hey There: I am thinking ahead and wondering if it is better to remove calluses before the walk. Do calluses make one more vulnerable to develop blisters? Any thoughts? Thanks in advance! sonya

 

Kitsambler

Jakobsweg Junkie

Time of past OR future Camino

SJPP 2023

• Mar 27, 2013

• #2

When I visited a podiatrist to obtain custom orthotics, she also sliced off the calluses (under the ball of the foot and the side of the big toe).

Having once had a blister under a callus - a most painful situation - I would think it pays off to manage the calluses so they don't get too thick.

I use a gizmo called a "Ped-egg", which is essentially a short length of micro-plane grater (same device used for grating Parmesan cheese) in a plastic case.

 

Susannafromsweden

Veteran Member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Via de la Plata 2010, Camino de Madrid, Salvador, Primitivo 2013, Olvidado, Invierno 2014

• Mar 28, 2013

• #3

Kitsambler said:

I use a gizmo called a "Ped-egg", which is essentially a short length of micro-plane grater (same device used for grating Parmesan cheese) in a plastic case.

Click to expand...

Thank you. I got a piece of old Parmesan cheese in my fridge actually. I'm now thinking about giving it to the birds. :lol:

 

dougfitz

Veteran Member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Past: a few
Last: Sanabres
Next: St Olav's Way

• Mar 28, 2013

• #4

I think the great risk is that one takes off too much, which leaves too thin a layer of skin for good protection. I must admit that I have done this to myself through injudicious use of a foot file Several days of a very tender foot followed.

 

Green Tortuga

Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Camino Frances (2012), Chemin Le Puy (2012)

• Mar 29, 2013

• #5

flyswatty said:

I am thinking ahead and wondering if it is better to remove calluses before the walk. Do calluses make one more vulnerable to develop blisters? Any thoughts?

Click to expand...

I always felt that calluses were the body's way of protecting your feet. Unless they're causing some sort of problem, I'd just leave them alone. I've had a lot of calluses, but I can't ever remember having one that caused me problems. They have made my feet less prone to blisters, though!

-- Ryan