Thickening skin on my feet

For a few years now, I’ve been dealing with this thickening skin on the soles of my feet. Since I’m constantly in sneakers due to my recreational sports routine, I guess it was bound to happen eventually.

The buildup is right there on the ball of my foot, just below the toes—that area that takes the brunt of the impact every single time I take a step. I'm not sure if there's a more medical way to describe it, but you get the idea.

Honestly, I didn't give it a second thought because it wasn't bothering me, but lately, things have taken a turn for the worse. Now, I'm getting this sharp, stabbing pain whenever I walk or put any pressure on that spot.

Does anyone have advice on how to actually get rid of this thickened skin?

Thanks in advance!

Thomas Sanchez said:I’ve been dealing with calluses on my feet for a few years now. Since I'm pretty active and constantly wearing sneakers for sports, it's become a regular thing.

The thickening is right on the ball of my foot, just below the toes—that spot that takes all the impact when you walk. Not sure how else to describe it.

I didn't really care until recently, but now it's actually starting to hurt. It's this sharp pain whenever I walk or put pressure on it.

Any advice on how to get rid of this thickened skin?

Thanks in advance!

Could it be a corn instead? Have you checked if there's a tiny black dot right in the middle of the callus?

Go get a pedicure at a salon.
Any decent esthetician who knows what they’re doing will take care of everything for you perfectly.
It won't break the bank—it's less than $33, if I recall correctly—and it really makes a difference. They'll probably use a specialized tool to smooth out that skin (I won't go into technical details just so I don't freak you out, it's totally standard stuff). Moving forward, just make sure to use a foot stone every single day while you're in the shower—and I don't mean just a regular 😬 you'd find at a drugstore, but a proper one specifically for feet.

P.S. Seriously, there's no reason to feel embarrassed about going... I've seen plenty of guys walk into those salons just for basic grooming.

EDIT: Leeloo makes a good point, too. Your esthetician will be able to tell you what's going on. But if you want to be 100% sure, maybe have your primary doctor give you a referral to a dermatologist just to be safe...

I didn't notice any little black spots... and I've got one of those pumice stones for my feet and heels, but honestly, the skin has probably gotten so thick by now that it isn't doing much good. I tried using it, but...

Maybe head over to a spa or a nail salon. They can really work wonders on that rough skin, and once they've sorted it out, just make it a habit to use a pumice stone for a few seconds whenever you shower. It’ll save you a lot of hassle in the long run...

P.S. Just make sure you find a professional nail tech who actually knows what they're doing so there aren't any...

I’ve got this on my right big toe. I use a pumice stone every single day—but honestly, I think I’m going to have to see a podiatrist to get it sorted out. It’s actually starting to get pretty uncomfortable when it's touched. 😢

I would definitely suggest seeing a professional podiatrist. If you're dealing with chronic calluses, a pumice stone isn't going to cut it; it really only smooths the very surface. A pro can soak your feet and use specialized tools to clear that buildup much more thoroughly. Honestly, they just have a better eye for what needs to be done.

Beyond that, I’d recommend scheduling an appointment with an orthopedist. If those calluses keep returning right under the ball of your foot, you might be dealing with a collapsed transverse arch—which is different from a standard flat foot. A custom orthotic insert might be exactly what you need to stabilize your foot, at least when you're wearing athletic shoes, if not for everyday wear too.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/foot-pain/symptoms-causes/ycscm-20374913

ironsurfer8 said:you should probably see an orthopedic specialist too—if you’re getting chronic thickening on that pad under your toes, you might have a collapsed transverse arch (not your typical flat foot). A specific type of orthotic insert could help, at least for athletic shoes, just to keep the foot more stable, if not all the time...

it's not actually on the pad, it's on the side—I don't really step on that part, but I think it's rubbing against my shoes🤷 It has to be caused by something, though it's interesting that it's only happening on one foot...