We all want our hands to be smooth and soft all the time. We want it to be soft enough for our children to hold. Instead, we want it to be smooth enough for our partners to feel the holes in it. How he relates to others is one of his most important jobs which is why we want our hands to be safe at all times. However, since we use our hands every day for different activities, you can easily lose that texture and even moisture. Without proper hand care, the skin on your hands becomes chapped, which is known as “calloused hands.”
Many people develop this condition due to constant pressure and repetitive contact on the hand. This can also be an issue with the feet where most of the contact pressure occurs. How do you get them? Here are some situations that can lead to this problem:
o Lifting weights – Gripping dumbbells, elevators, and machine handles puts a lot of pressure on the palms.
Writing – Too much writing and incorrectly positioning the pen can cause smeared areas of the numbers or your fingers (depending on where you let them grip the pen or pencil).
o Motorcyclists or cyclists – People riding this vehicle can develop a callus on the palm or the space between the thumb and forefinger without the use of leather motorcycle gloves.
o Constant contact with hot surfaces – Repeated first-degree burns can also harden the surface of the hands or fingers.
o People who use crutches can easily get a callus from the pressure they are under by controlling the device.
How do you remove them? You can’t completely remove them overnight. However, you can ease it slowly if it becomes too annoying. The key here is not to cut them with anything or even chop them. However, you can apply it gently to reduce it. One of the best tips you can get, is to first soak it in baking soda and when it becomes soft, you can try patting it down or using a pumice stone. Rub them gently, not vigorously. After doing this, you can apply hand lotions or moisturizers to soften them. Some people have used salicylic acid to reduce calluses. However, when you have cuts on your hands, those wounds must heal first before any substance can be applied to them. You need to close the wound to avoid infection. Once you are healed, you can begin to treat the callus.
How do you avoid getting it? Some people avoid getting it. The best way to not have it is to avoid excessive pressure on your hands. Meaning, you have to let it rest or put a break before you do your thing next. However, for the times when you just can’t avoid it, the key is to protect your hands. You may not feel comfortable using the various protective devices; However, they can certainly help. The number one hand protector is the glove. It can be rubber, wool or even leather motorcycle gloves. They can definitely help.
