Permanent Finger callus

Hello,

I am not sure if it's a callus or not. But I have had this 1 cm in diameter bulge on my left hand index finger. I am not even left handed and it's not like I use my hands for hard labor, so I don't know if its a callus or not. It randomly appeared..The skin on the 'callus' is slightly darker.

Problem is, its quite noticeable and I've had it for years.. I really don't understand how you can get rid of it.. So I tried cutting it off with a NAIL CLIPPER.. and i ended up have a small circle in the bulge that is completely red. I can see the raw skin and it burns a bit, I've applied vaseline over.. I don't know if its going to heal properly since the rest of the bulge is still there..

Any ideas what this could be? And how I could be treating this?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
It can be due to callus or hyperkeratotic papule. Apply lots of moisturing lotion and vit E on the hands. Place protective covering or bandages over the sore to decrease friction on the skin until the sore heals. Rub sandpaper disks or pumice stone over hard thickened regions. Soak feet or hands in warm soapy water to soften calluses. Then rub with a pumice stone and apply some moisturizer.

If still the calluses persist, then go in for removal by surgical means or with keratolytic agents (medicines that break up hardened areas of skin). Shaving or cutting off the hardened area on the skin by a doctor is also helpful.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
It can be due to callus or hyperkeratotic papule. Apply lots of moisturing lotion and vit E on the hands. Place protective covering or bandages over the sore to decrease friction on the skin until the sore heals. Rub sandpaper disks or pumice stone over hard thickened regions. Soak feet or hands in warm soapy water to soften calluses. Then rub with a pumice stone and apply some moisturizer.

If still the calluses persist, then go in for removal by surgical means or with keratolytic agents (medicines that break up hardened areas of skin). Shaving or cutting off the hardened area on the skin by a doctor is also helpful.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[asultani]

Thank you Mr. Bhupinder!

It worked, I used a pumice stone and have been using Vitamin E and Vaseline on the callus for a week now! It has reduced greatly in size and the color is back to normal.

However the skin seems rough once the Vaseline/Vitamin E dries up. Will the roughness ever go away? It's still slightly elevated but its really NOT noticeable compared to what it used to be. Should I continue with the pumice/vitamin E treatment until the roughness goes away too?

Thank you once again!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
During the day, hydrate and protect hands from sun damage and sunspots with a protective and moisturizing cream. At night, repair them with creams formulated from glycolic acid—a must for improving skin texture and tone. For a more intensive nighttime treatment, apply cream and then cover hands with gloves or socks. Your body heat helps the cream sink deeper into the skin—and you'll wake up with the baby-soft hands to prove it. I would also suggest you to avoid washing hands with soap repeatedly and use gloves while doing any household work.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.