How to treat and prevent bodybuilding calluses? – GOOD SHAPE

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Whether you are a beginner or advanced in the world of bodybuilding, you can develop the dreaded calluses on your hands. The bad news is that there isn’t much you can do: to undermine the risk of the problem once and for all, just stop training. But since that’s not an option, here’s the good news: it’s possible to prevent and treat the issue! Understand:

What are calluses on hands caused by bodybuilding?

“Palmar or plantar calluses, the famous calluses, are a skin response to a repetitive action on a certain area, making the region thicker and sometimes painful”, explains José Roberto Fraga Filho, dermatologist, member of the Brazilian Society of Dermatology and Clinical Director of the Dermagynus clinic.

Do you know when you wear a tight shoe for a long time and end up with calluses? The same thing happens in the hands with strength training — because of the excessive force we have to use to lift the weights. “In bodybuilding, as the hands constantly receive aggression from the equipment, the skin thickens as a form of protection so as not to injure and hurt”, adds Natasha Crepaldi, a dermatologist from Cuiabá.

How to prevent and treat calluses

The main care involves the use of appropriate gloves for the practice. In addition to using smooth sandpaper after bathing and applying moisturizing hand creams frequently. With regard to treatment, the two doctors talk about topical solutions with a “keratolytic” purpose, that is, capable of “melting” the callus. “So, this thick layer of keratin that formed the callus is removed”, concludes Natasha.