Kapalan - Symptoms, causes and treatment

Kapalan or callus is thickened and hardened skin. Generally, calloused skin will look dry and yellowish white. The parts of the skin that often experience calluses are the palms and fingers, soles and toes, and heels

Scallops are generally harmless, but can cause discomfort and annoyance. However, this condition can be treated in some simple ways that can be done at home, or with treatment from a doctor, if the sufferer has a history of diseases, such as diabetes.

Cause of Calluses

Calluses are generally caused by excessive and repeated pressure or friction on one area of the skin. In fact, calluses are the body's natural reaction to strengthening tissues that are subjected to repeated pressure and friction. This reaction causes thickened skin tissue or also known as hyperkeratosis.

Some of the activities that put excessive, repetitive pressure and friction, and increase the risk of calluses appearing are:

• Write or draw with a pencil, pen or brush
• Playing musical instruments, such as guitar or violin
• Lifting heavy weights, such as weightlifting
• Using certain tools that cause pressure, such as a hoe
• Not wearing socks when wearing shoes
• Using uncomfortable shoes, such as high heels, shoes that are too tight, or too loose

Risk factor for calluses

There are several conditions that can increase a person's risk of getting calluses, namely:

• Do not wear gloves when using equipment or operating machinery
• Walking in an abnormal way or more often placing weight on certain parts of the foot, such as the heels
• Experiencing hammer toes or claw-like toes
• Suffering from bunions or lumps at the base of the big toe
• Having osteophytes on fingers or soles

Calmon Symptoms

Calluses can occur on areas of the skin that are often rubbed or pressured. The skin is generally the soles of the feet, especially the heels and the soles near the toes, knees, the upper sides, sides, between the toes, as well as the palms and fingers.

The size of the calluses depends on the area of the skin that is under pressure or friction. A person who has calluses will feel a change in the skin, in the form of:

• Thickened, hardened, and feels rough
• Skin becomes dry and cracked
• Pain appears when calluses get thicker

When to see a doctor

Do an examination to the doctor if the calluses do not improve even though there is no pressure or friction. Examination also needs to be done, especially when the calluses are very painful, bleed, or have pus, or interfere with activities.

For people with diabetes or blood circulation disorders, check with a doctor if you have calluses. This needs to be done to prevent infection in diabetics.

Diagnosis Calluses

As a first step, the doctor will ask questions about the patient's symptoms, medical history, and activity or work history. Next, the doctor will perform a physical examination of the skin to see what skin disorders are suspected to be the cause of the calluses.

If the cause of calluses is suspected to be an abnormality in the bones, the doctor will carry out supporting examinations, such as X-rays to determine the condition of the bones.

Calls Treatment

Generally, calluses can heal if the pressure or friction on the skin is reduced or stopped. Some simple ways that can be done to help overcome calluses are:

• Using plaster or bandages on areas that often get pressure or friction
• Wearing gloves when operating equipment that can put pressure or friction on the skin
• Use comfortable shoes and socks so it doesn't add pressure to your feet
• Soaking the calluses in warm water for 10-15 minutes, so that the thickened skin softens and peels off
• Applying moisturizer regularly to prevent dry skin
• Using a pumice stone to help remove thickened layers of skin, but this method should not be used by diabetics

If you suffer from diabetes, blood vessel disorders, or calluses that do not improve, even get worse after independent treatment, immediately consult a doctor. Treatment methods that can be given by doctors include:

• Cutting or scraping of excess skin due to calluses
• The application of ointments, gels, creams, or plasters containing salicylic acid
• Giving antibiotics if calluses are infected
• Use of special shoe soles (orthotics) if calluses occur due to foot deformity
• Surgery to correct the position or shape of the bone that causes repeated pressure and friction

Calmon Complications

Ships rarely cause complications. However, in people with diabetes or blood vessel disorders, calluses that are not treated properly and can cause sores can increase the risk of skin infections.

Calls Prevention

The following are some things you can do to reduce the risk of calluses:

• Wear comfortable shoes of the right size.
• Avoid wearing high heels or those with a narrow front.
• Buy shoes in the afternoon or evening, because generally the foot size will be larger in the afternoon or evening.
• Use a cotton swab to separate the toes if they rub frequently.
• Use gloves or protection when operating equipment that may cause repeated friction or pressure on the skin.