When does hard skin on your feet turn from a cosmetic issue to a proper medical issue or is it always just a manky thing?

[foxinsocks]

because I walk on the insides of my feet, always have done. Also DO have problem skin in general.

But the hard skin on the outside of my big toe has really gone mad. It's layered and is just a big hard lump. I can rub it off with pumice but by the end of the week, it is back again and just as bad.

Is there any way to stop it developing because it is actually quite painful (almost like having an extra bone there!)?

is it a callous?

perhaps if you got some orthotics made that corrected your gait, it would stop you putting pressure on that area?

If you are diabetic it's particularly dangerous but in any case it's daft not to sort it out because it will change the way you walk and damage your spine long term - it puts uneven pressure on your discs and you then get bloody awful backache.

Your best bet is to go see a chiropodist (it'll cost you about £30) to get it treated and then in future use something like Scholl rough skin treatment which you rub on and it's got pumice in so it scuffs off the excess skin.

Long term, perhaps you would benefit from the Alexander Technique to learn to balance correctly on your feet?

omg I think I have a callous

I must be 90 arrrghhhhhhh

right, Chiropodist and then ask them about orthotics to start changing my gait

it must be quite hard to change once you're my age but I think I should try as you're right, I am getting a sore back (it's since I've been back at work, so a few years now....and am doing a lot more walking carrying heavy bags)

thanks so much for the link and advice. Was feeling particularly clueless . I never realised I could get a callous!