Callus, chafing/pressure points, blisters
Chafing on the skin causes the formation of blisters or calluses over time. These reactions are always indicative of excessive exposure of this area of skin. When too much pressure is applied to an area of the foot, the body responds by forming thicker skin. Removing the callus is only a short term solution. Pressure on the area has to be reduced in the long run.
In the kybun shoe/on the kybun mat, your foot stands on a soft surface and can move freely in all directions. The shoe material is soft and the shoe is spacious on the inside. This puts an even load on the foot, without pressure points.
Definition
- Callus (weal)
Local hyperkeratosis in a region of increased pressure or shear force exposure.
In many cases of splayfoot, the increased development of calluses can be observed in the area under the central metatarsal heads. At the level of the toes, calluses can develop under the tips (e.g. with hammer toe deformity) or over the proximal interphalangeal joint under flexion contracture (e.g. with claw toe deformity). Lateral exostosis on the toe phalanges can also cause local callus formation.
All hindfoot deformities associated with an axial misalignment can lead to abnormally increased callus formation. - Blister (bulla)
In dermatology, this is a fluid-filled bubble rising above the level of the skin, at least the size of a pea (> 5 mm). Smaller accumulations of liquid are called vesicles .
Bullous skin changes are often due to mechanical stimuli, for example shoes that chafe.
Causes
Friction and/or pressure on an area of skin due to:
- Shoes that don’t fit properly (e.g. shoes that are too tight)
- Sock wrinkles
- Seam in the shoe
- Stiff leather (new shoes that are not broken in)
- One-sided gait/limping
- Foot malpositions/improper strain on the foot
Long-term consequences
The kybun principle of operation – being proactive
The soft, elastic kybun shoe sole adapts to any foot shape, ensuring an even load on the foot. Existing calluses or painful areas are alleviated.
The soft, elastic sole reveals one-sided strain on the foot immediately. When you notice that you are not standing straight in the kybun shoe/on the kybun mat, this is a sign of one-sided loading of the shoe or mat. Try to correct the foot position so that the foot stands upright on the sole/mat again. This strengthens the foot musculature and you learn to walk naturally again while relieving strain on the joints.
The natural rollover in the kybun shoe/on the kybun mat mobilises the ankle joints again and the internal mobility of the foot is maintained. This reduces pain in the ankle joints and you can counteract ganglions, foot malpositions and joint wear in the long term.
Initial reactions
Specific initial reactions with sensitive feet or existing ganglions/foot malpositions:
The load on the foot is even in the kybun shoe. This will be unfamiliar for your foot since areas you previously relieved without noticing will now be under strain. New chafing or pressure points may develop on the foot in the beginning. In such cases please take note of the advice given under ‘Application tips’!
This initial reaction will only be temporary until your foot gets accustomed to the even load in the kybun shoe. Then, both the old and the new pressure points will disappear and the callus on the feet will be reduced.
Click here for the general initial reactions experienced by kybun mat and kybun shoe beginners: Initial reactions
kybun exercises
Application tips
It is a good sign if new chafing/pressure points develop in the kyBoot in the beginning. It shows that you are loading your foot differently than in the ‘normal’ shoes with the stiffer sole. The new chafing/pressure points are temporary and will disappear as soon as your foot gets accustomed to the new, even load in the kybun shoe/on the kybun mat.
Be sure to maintain a correct body posture and foot position in the kyBoot/on the kyBounder.
Correct any lateral/medial rolling of the ankle joint in the kybun shoe/on the kybun mat. Lateral/medial rolling of the ankle joint is a sign of foot weakness leading to one-sided strain on the foot and the entire body.
Perform the rollover consciously from the heel over the big toe to put a natural, even load on the foot.
Be sure to avoid cramping/curling of the toes and keep the rest of the body (i.e. the shoulders) loose.
Do not stand in one place too long, but move regularly in the kybun shoe/on the kybun mat. This ensures that air is exchanged in the shoe and the development of pressure points is reduced.
We advise performing the kybun exercises regularly. This trains the body even more intensively and you assume a relieving posture less quickly. With pain in particular, the kybun exercises help relax your muscles and provide relief for pressure points that have developed on the foot.
If the pain does not go away even with the kybun exercises or if the chafing/pressure points worsen, take a short kybun shoe/kybun mat break until the symptoms/initial reactions go away.
Opinions/customer testimonials
I have very sensitive feet and have always suffered from blisters on my heels. That’s all gone now. The shoes adjust to my feet and I can walk all day without any pain or discomfort.
When the assistant was advising me I realised that for the first time I was wearing shoes that didn't pinch. So I decided to buy a pair. When I got talking to my orthopaedist, he was very sceptical and said that lots of people came back to him disappointed by kybun shoes, complaining of even greater pain. I took the warning seriously and asked myself what that might be all about. When you feel better, you tend to get quite fussy. I thought that was probably the mistake people were making. If you wear insoles for a long time, your foot muscles are weak. So I started wearing the kybun shoe and the shoe with insoles alternately, and gradually built up the intensity. I could feel my whole body getting fitter. Today I spend one day a week out with the dogs and might walk up to five-and-a-half hours. That's already possible, even though I've only been wearing the kybun shoes a short time. At the end of the day I can feel it in my feet, but the next day it's OK again.
I'm incredibly happy that these shoes exist. I've never experienced anything better in my entire life. These shoes are brilliant; absolutely great! I'd like to thank everyone who helped develop these shoes, and everyone working at kybun. Thank you very much!
As your feet have to move about a lot more, somehow the calluses just go away. I don't have cracked skin any more in the winter. I always had really deep cracks in the heel and my entire foot, really. I don't have that at all any more. I do still have to rub cream in, as they are still quite dry, but it's not as bad as how it used to be.
