By Dr. Sarah Voelkel
Special to NKyTribune
Many of our patients come in with calluses on their feet, some painful and some nonpainful. But one specific type of callus that causes significant pain – a feeling of walking on glass – is called a porokeratosis.
There are many forms of porokeratosis, but what we commonly see is a callus lesion with a core that extends deeper than the superficial skin layer. This deep extension causes increased pain, and it only gets bigger and more painful with time.
This type of skin lesion is commonly mistaken for a wart.
The cause of these lesions is not fully known, but have been associated with excessively sweaty feet and chronic pressure points on the bottom of the feet.
Treatment includes debridement of the lesion in the office, which involves removal of the deep core. Topical medications are then applied to help remove the lesion and medicines to apply at home to dry up the lesion and slough off the dry skin.
The underlying condition leading to the development of the lesion should be addressed as well. This can include treating the sweaty foot condition or addressing excessive pressure points of the feet.
Remember, pain in your feet is not normal. It’s your body’s way of telling you something could be wrong. Visit your podiatrist at the first sign of trouble to avoid continued pain and grief.
Dr. Sarah Voelkel is a foot and ankle surgeon at Lexington Podiatry and the Kentucky Heel Pain Center.
My daughter smashed a mug accidentally and a small piece cut her foot. We thought we had got it out but it still hurts. We have soaked her foot several times in hot soapy/salt water but it doesn’t seem to make any difference. What can we do?
does it still hurt?
Hi I think I have this little pice of glass in my heal what should I do
I have a little white spots on the bottom of my feet what should I do?
I feel like I am walking on glass they told me I have spurs but spurs start in heel area. What eles could it be.
Cancer.
Really Cancer? What a thorough thought out evaluation. So cancer causes you to feel like you are walking on glass. Hmm, interesting, well there you have it. I have the same heinous experience with my feet and in addition to the feeling like a shard of glass is in the skin, the area throbs in the bone. It’s the most excruciating pain next to a tooth ache I’ve ever felt and there’s no relief or nothing you can do to manipulate the foot or the pain when this happens. I usually bang my foot onto the floor or hit it with something to pass time until it stops. So now it all makes sense. But you forgot to mention what kind, oh never you mind, you’ve exhausted yourself.
I have that same awful pain, like walking on glass, I’ve been told it’s porokeratosis. I see a podiatrist, a few actually, and they scrape out the area, I feel relief for a brief period of time, but the pain always comes back. A surgical procedure is an option, but from what I’ve read trying to research, often the scarring will cause more pain, especially if they haven’t gone deep enough to remove it completely. So frustrating, looking for suggestions. I did read something about a transdermal treatment, but not available in my area. Nonsurgical and only 2 consecutive visits to the podiatrist,I’m almost ready to travel, looking for suggestions please!
Thanks for the research Cheryl. I will ask my podiatrist about this. I’ve had this, mildly for years. The first time, my old podiatrist scraped and used salicylic acid. the new doctor just scraped. I will ask him about the transdermal treatment. Nonsurgical and only 2 consecutive visits to the podiatrist
I’ve had a sore on the bottom of my foot for 6 months that won’t heal. It hurts to walk on my foot now. Any ideas of what it could be?
I have the same thing. I’m sure it’s porokeratosis. Usually every 3 weeks or so, using a sterilized sharp scissors and plenty of tea tree oil, I cut it out and fine that little core. Then I load the cut area (carefully only getting the callous and not any deeper, I bandage it and sterilize the scissors. Been doing this for at least 15 years and also use an implement to file it down once my ‘surgery’ heals. It’s certainly not cancer. The ‘dr.’ ahem who responded above with no context, kindness or suggestions is likely not a doctor, at least not one you’d like to see.
theres a small whight dot on my foot and surrounded in red and it realyl hurts i feel like its a piece of glass what do you think i need help it really hurts what do i do