Callus is defined as

Callus is defined as

• A. Red, flaky skin on the heels
• B. A condition of the nail bed
• C. Bacterial infection around a nail
• D. Thickening of the outer layer of skin in response to pressure or friction

Answer: (D)

Callus describes the thickening of the outer layer of skin in response to repeated pressure or friction. This protective reaction occurs when the skin, usually on weight-bearing areas like the heels or balls of the feet or on the palms, builds up more keratin in the epidermis (the stratum corneum) to withstand constant rubbing. It is typically diffuse and painless, unlike a corn, which is a localized thickening with a central core and can be painful. It isn’t a red, flaky rash on the skin, a nail-bed condition, or an infection around a nail, but rather a mechanical adaptation of the skin to ongoing irritation. Reducing the source of pressure or friction—proper footwear, padding, and careful skin care—helps it soften and gradually regress.

Callus describes the thickening of the outer layer of skin in response to repeated pressure or friction. This protective reaction occurs when the skin, usually on weight-bearing areas like the heels or balls of the feet or on the palms, builds up more keratin in the epidermis (the stratum corneum) to withstand constant rubbing. It is typically diffuse and painless, unlike a corn, which is a localized thickening with a central core and can be painful. It isn’t a red, flaky rash on the skin, a nail-bed condition, or an infection around a nail, but rather a mechanical adaptation of the skin to ongoing irritation. Reducing the source of pressure or friction—proper footwear, padding, and careful skin care—helps it soften and gradually regress.