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Foot Callus Treatment Glasgow

A foot callus (also called “hard skin” or “callosity”) is an area of skin that thickens in response to repeated pressure or friction. It’s your body’s way of protecting the skin, but when the pressure keeps happening, the build-up of thickening skin can become uncomfortable, crack, and start to affect how you walk.

At our Shettleston and Clarkston footcare clinics AA Podiatry provides professional callus assessment and treatment, helping you get immediate relief, and at the same time, reduce the recurrence with practical, personalised advice.

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What is a foot callus and how does it develop?

A callus is typically a wider, flatter patch of thickened skin - most often found on the ball of your foot, the heel, or even around the toes. It forms when that area is repeatedly loaded with extra pressure.

Common reasons include:

  • Footwear pressure (tight shoes, hard soles, rubbing seams, worn-out shoes)

  • Foot mechanics (how you weight is distributed when you stand or walk)

  • Foot shape or bony prominences (bunions, prominent metatarsal heads or toe deformities)

  • Reduced natural cushioning with age the fatty padding under your foot reduces causing hard skin to develop as it absorbs pressure.

  • High activity or lots of standing on hard floors.

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How do you know if you have a callus?

You may have a callus if you notice:

  • A yellowish/grey, thick, rough patch of skin on the sole of your foot.

  • Discomfort or burning under pressure - often after a day on your feet.

  • A feeling like you’re “walking on a lump or a stone”

  • Dryness, cracking, or tenderness around the thickened area of skin.

What happens if a foot callus is left untreated?

Some calluses remain mild and people live with them. But, if the underlying pressure continues, a callus can:

  • Become progressively thicker and more painful

  • It can then split or crack, which can sting, bleed (risking infection) leading to more problematic issues.

  • Cause you to change the way you walk, potentially triggering knee/hip/back aches and future problems.

  • Lead to recurring hard skin, corns, or hotspots in other areas as you “compensate” for the pain by walking on other areas of your foot.

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If you have diabetes, poor circulation, or a reduced sensation in your foot, a callus and the associated cracking need extra care because small skin breaks can become more serious - it’s best to get early, professional advice.

What do podiatrists do for calluses?

  1. Assess the problem properly. We look at where the callus sits, how it formed, look at your footwear, your skin condition, and how pressure moves through your foot when you walk.

  2. Safely remove hard skin (debridement).
    We reduce the callus using sterile instruments in a controlled way to relieve pressure and improve comfort.

  3. Reduce pressure so it doesn’t keep returning
    Depending on what we find, this may include:

    • footwear guidance

    • protective padding applied to your foot

    • We may recommend insoles/orthoses where mechanics are creating the pressure to the affected area

    • Give you advice on moisturisers and skin care routines

  4. Check for ‘lookalikes’ or extra issues
    Sometimes thickened skin can mask other problems (e.g., an underlying corn, blistering, or a verruca). We’ll make sure we’re giving you the right treatment plan and that there are not additional issues.

How to prevent calluses and help yourself at home

A realistic plan is usually: reduce pressure + keep skin supple.

Footwear changes that genuinely help

Choose shoes with:

  • a stable sole and decent cushioning

  • enough width across the forefoot (no squeezing)

  • secure fastening so your foot doesn’t slide and rub inside the shoes you wear

  • low-to-moderate heel height (so you’re not forced onto the ball of your foot)

Simple skin-care routine (safe for most people)

  • Soak feet 10 to15 minutes to soften skin (if this works best for you), then gently use a pumice stone/foot file (don’t overdo it by rubbing down to “raw” skin).

  • Moisturise daily, ideally with a foot cream that helps soften thickened skin (urea-based creams are commonly recommended).

What to avoid

  • Cutting hard skin with blades or “corn knives” – this is highly dangerous and NOT recommended.

  • Acid corn plasters/strong chemical treatments if you have diabetes, reduced sensation, poor circulation, or fragile skin (they can cause skin damage and open wounds)

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If you’re unsure what’s safe for you, book an appointment and ask us for guidance during your booking, before trying over-the-counter treatments.

When to Book an Appointment

Consider a podiatry assessment if:

  • pain is affecting your walking, work, or exercise

  • callus keeps returning despite “better shoes” or home management

  • the skin is cracking, bleeding, or looks inflamed

  • you have diabetes, circulation issues, neuropathy, or you’re on blood thinners

Callus treatment at AA Podiatry?

If you’re looking for foot callus treatment close to Glasgow city centre, we’ll help you get comfortable again and put a plan in place to reduce repeat flare-ups.

Book at our Shettleston or Clarkston clinic by phone or via the website contact/booking options.

  • Shettleston Clinic

    • AA Podiatry – Shettleston
      1306 Shettleston Road, Glasgow, G32 7YS
      Access: Street-level entrance. Nearby bus routes on Shettleston Rd.
      Telephone: 0141 778 4400   

  • Clarkston Clinic

    • AA Podiatry – Clarkston
      150 Busby Road, Glasgow G76 8BH

    • Access: On-street parking; near Clarkston rail station
      Telephone: 0141 644 2244 

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