Why a callus on a diabetic foot can hide an ulcer, and how the EDFC team safely removes callus and dresses the wound to help it heal.
A thick callus on a diabetic foot is not just hard skin. It can hide an ulcer underneath. This short video from Elegance Diabetic Foot & Ulcer Clinic (EDFC) shows how the team removes callus and dresses a diabetic foot ulcer safely, under the guidance of Dr. Ashutosh Shah.
What the Video Covers
- Why callus forms on a diabetic foot
- How callus can hide an ulcer beneath it
- Safe callus removal by a trained team
- Cleaning and dressing the ulcer to support healing
Why Callus Is a Warning Sign in Diabetes
Callus forms where there is repeated pressure or friction, often under the ball of the foot, the heel or the toes. In people with diabetes, nerve damage (neuropathy) can reduce feeling in the feet, so the pressure goes unnoticed. The callus keeps thickening and presses on the tissue below, which can break down into an ulcer hidden under the hard skin. A dark or blood-stained spot inside a callus is a warning sign that needs prompt attention.
How the EDFC Team Treats Callus and Ulcers
- Safe callus removal: The thickened skin is carefully pared away by a trained team to relieve pressure and check what lies beneath.
- Wound cleaning: If an ulcer is found, it is cleaned and any dead tissue is removed so healthy tissue can heal.
- Dressing: A dressing suited to the wound is applied to protect it and keep the right healing environment.
- Offloading: Pressure is taken off the area with suitable footwear or offloading devices, so the callus and ulcer do not return.
Learn more about wound care and debridement, diabetic foot ulcers and footwear and offloading.
Never Cut a Callus at Home
If you have diabetes, do not cut a callus with a blade or scissors, and do not use corn caps or medicated corn plasters. These can damage the skin and lead to a wound or infection that heals slowly. Have the callus checked and treated by a foot care team.
When to See a Doctor
- A callus that keeps coming back or is getting thicker
- A dark, red or blood-stained area inside a callus
- Any open wound, blister or crack on the foot
- Swelling, warmth, discharge or a bad smell from the foot
quiz Frequently Asked Questions
This video is general education, not a diagnosis. If you have a diabetic foot wound, please have it assessed in person. Send a photo on WhatsApp or book a consultation.
