If you have diabetes, you probably know that you are more at risk for foot injuries. One of the most common kinds of injuries that you might have heard of is a foot ulcer. But, you may not be as familiar with a certain kind of foot ulcer called a callous ulcer.

What is a callous ulcer?

A callous ulcer is a specific kind of ulcer that has a hard base and rigid walls. The inside of the ulcer is often filled with pale tissue. These ulcers commonly develop on the soles of the feet, or under the balls or heels. They vary in shape and size.

What makes callous ulcers different from other kinds of foot ulcers?

So, you’re probably wondering what makes these types of ulcers special? Callous ulcers are chronic and tend to last a long time. They may take months or even years to heal.

When you put pressure or friction on your foot all the time, the skin may harden and form a callus. A callus, which you probably have had on other parts of your body such as your hands, is a thickened and hardened part of the skin or soft tissue. This can happen when you repeat any kind of motion over and over, which is why you may have developed a callus on your hands after using gardening tools or even playing guitar, or on feet if your shoes don't fit correctly.

If left untreated, the callus will continue developing, killing healthy tissue. If you have diabetic neuropathy, you may not notice this is happening because you've lost feeling in your feet from blood vessel and nerve damage.

As healthy skin dies off, an ulcer will begin to form and could even become infected.

What can I do to prevent a callous ulcer?

Prevention is key when it comes to callous ulcers. You can help stop them from forming with a few simple lifestyle changes:

• Inspect your feet daily. Look for injuries, red hot spots or other cuts and bruises.
• Stay healthy. Eat a diabetes-friendly diet that's low carb and low sugar (and throw out the cigarettes!).
• See your doctor. Make sure you’re seeing your doctor or podiatrist on a regular basis. If you have diabetes, you should be visiting your doctor at least every year, maybe more depending your risk of developing a foot ulcer.
• Wear shoes that fit properly. Too-tight shoes can put pressure on your feet, and loose footwear can slide and rub the skin. Make sure yours fit just right!

Callous ulcers may sound unpleasant, but with planning and making some of these simple changes, you can keep your feet healthy.

Interested in learning more about foot ulcers? You can get all the basics here.

If you think you have a callous foot ulcer, contact your doctor immediately. Treatment is different from person to person. If you have diabetes, make sure that you see a podiatrist at least once a year. Your podiatrist can help you learn about your specific risks when it comes to foot ulcers.

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