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Main Boards => General Walking Discussion => Topic started by: Starkiwi26 on 22:01:43, 11/10/20

Title: Painful thick skin on foot
Post by: Starkiwi26 on 22:01:43, 11/10/20
Sorry, it is a little long story, in short, I have this painful thick skin by the side of pinky toe of my left foot. As it is by the side, I dont feel the pain while walking without shoe, but only feel the pain when I press on it. Actually, it has been years that I have this thick skin due to it was rubbing on my old shoe (size 7.5). Since then, I changed all my shoes to size 8 and no more rubbing, but the thick skin remains there, but no pain, just like a normal thick skin underneath the feet.

Last week, when I take rubbish out to the bin, I was lazy and wore the old shoe (size 7.5) because it is just a minute or two. Apparently this rubbed my pinky toe, and I feel the pain even I come back home. I was shock to see the thick skin had became as photo below, and it is painful when I press on it. Being naughty, I remove the skin because I thought it was just thick dead skin, but this caused drastic pain until I cannot sleep later at night. The pain finally goes away after a few days, and I did a walk today, my pinky toe probably swollen because I could feel my pinky toe rubbing my boot (size 8 and I didnt have this rubbing before). The rubbing caused pain and I have to cut short my walk to only 5 miles today. I can feel my pinky toe was so painful when I took off the boot. But after I came back and took a hot shower, my toe is now back to normal, I dont feel a thing while walking unless I press on the painful thick skin.

Well, I know I should visit GP, but due to Covid, it is difficult to get GP appointment and only telephone GP consultant only now. Therefore I might as well ask here, probably you have similar experience that can share what had happened to my pinky toe.


zillions thanks in advance :beers:  O0


(https://i.imgur.com/8GftBxU.jpg)


(https://i.imgur.com/54HzlUu.jpg)


(https://i.imgur.com/Ei07CEn.jpg)


(https://i.imgur.com/rW6qGmb.jpg)
Title: Re: Painful thick skin on foot
Post by: Sevenup on 23:12:19, 11/10/20
I would recommend visiting a podiatrist. I have a similar area of hard skin on the outer aspect of my left foot. I know that my left foot is marginally wider than my right and will rub on shoes that otherwise fit. I have been Advised to keep my feet moisturised since dryness makes the issue worse. I visit the podiatrist regularly (about every 5-6 weeks) since I’m not the most flexible of individuals and can’t easily view the outside of my foot never mind try to deal with the hard skin in the area.
I recently bought some compression socks to help with recovery on long multi day treks. There’s a ridge in the sock right over the area of concern that causes stabbing pain if I wear the socks with my trail shoes. Can’t get an appointment right now for love or money!
Title: Re: Painful thick skin on foot
Post by: Jac on 09:04:46, 12/10/20
You could try http://footsolutions.co.uk/

I've not had need of them so not a personal recommendation but  a couple of our ramblers members have found them really good.
Title: Re: Painful thick skin on foot
Post by: gunwharfman on 16:22:37, 12/10/20
Your 'foot solutions' site looks a good one.

I've never had hard skin, sorry, so can't help, but I have had pain and a black nail on each of the outer areas of my little toes, it used to happen when I hiked for more than a couple or three days. I cured it by cutting a trainer insert length ways and fitting the raised piece along the outer edge of my boot and then securing my normal insert on top. This tilted my foot back to a 90-degree position and ensured that as I walked there is no more pressure on my toe from the boot itself. I then did the same to my other boot. This action also stopped me getting blisters.

I've done the same to my running shoes. It works for me.

Thats not to say I am pain-free but my pain is caused by another problem, after walking for a couple of days I tend to get shooting pains and rigidity through my big toes, I walk through it and after a while it just goes away? I'm always waiting for the day when it won't go away.
Title: Re: Painful thick skin on foot
Post by: rambling oldie on 19:43:12, 12/10/20
My GP referred me to an NHS podiatrist with some foot problems which were sorted.  I also tend to develop hard skin which can be painful and cutting it off is dangerous, particularly for me as a diabetic.  The podiatrist recommended a Diamondeb file, which I use regularly on a dry foot.  Works a charm and not expensive.


https://www.feetlife.co.uk/Podopro-foot-dresser?gclid=CjwKCAjw_Y_8BRBiEiwA5MCBJnP9UfZSKXDc-SDWfu_HF8eRcycAOCTY7-1e3jUlbuB7-DuC5DcUlRoCVlgQAvD_BwE (https://www.feetlife.co.uk/Podopro-foot-dresser?gclid=CjwKCAjw_Y_8BRBiEiwA5MCBJnP9UfZSKXDc-SDWfu_HF8eRcycAOCTY7-1e3jUlbuB7-DuC5DcUlRoCVlgQAvD_BwE)
Title: Re: Painful thick skin on foot
Post by: gunwharfman on 20:37:32, 12/10/20
I had a member of staff in the early 80s that had one of those files, she would file her feet anywhere! There was skin 'powder' from her heels all over the place. The other staff hated it! She wouldn't listen to anyone until one day another staff member, who was so precise about her clothes, (she was always picking specks off her clothing) had a 'meltdown' when she noticed some of the 'skin powder' on her black trousers. I can tell you that her screaming and body language was intense! Whilst a couple of staff tried to calm her down, (in reality held her down at one point) muggins (me) was delegated to explain to the 'file lady' how the staff felt about her habit. Instead of takling personal responsibility for her filing habit she just blamed me for 'picking on her!' She left a few weeks later (Phew!) because by then some other staff had had a go at her!

When I think back, the things I had to do!!! Crazy!
Title: Re: Painful thick skin on foot
Post by: Starkiwi26 on 23:51:16, 14/10/20
Thanks for reply. Somehow I didnt receive email on your replies.
Thanks for all suggestions and sharing.
I also found this on NHS website, which recommend to file it off. I just bought a foot file which shall deliver this weekend, I will try and see.  O0
I will update once I have result, so that this could be others' reference in the future.
Title: Re: Painful thick skin on foot
Post by: Little Foot on 23:36:44, 15/10/20
How did you hurt your self when cutting it? Did you cut too deep? Was it bleeding? I get hard calluses and I tend to use a razor and gently take slivers off it and moisturise the area over a period of time. I had one that had a blister underneath, though you couldn’t see the blister at first, but it damn well hurt. I also had a deep crack in the hard skin on the ball of my foot, but realised last week that after about three years of giving me jip,it has vanished.


GWM - your post had me laughing! ‘Skin powder’, how gross! I’m not surprised the others were kicking up a fuss. Certain things should be done in the privacy of your own home.
Title: Re: Painful thick skin on foot
Post by: ramblingman on 08:03:03, 17/10/20
I would echo the advice to visit a podiatrist. You can find a private one and their rates are reasonable.
Title: Re: Painful thick skin on foot
Post by: WilliamCameron on 23:53:06, 20/10/20
Have you been to the doctor? What did they say?