calluses
Hands' work evidence
Calluses are patches of thickened, hardened skin that develop from repeated friction or pressure.
They form most commonly on hands and feet—a guitarist's fingertips, a runner's heels.
The toughened skin protects underlying tissue but can become uncomfortable.
Figuratively, emotional calluses develop from repeated hurt: Years of rejection had built up calluses around her heart.
Outermost tissue layer
- keratinStructural hair protein
- cornsHardened toe skin
- blistersRaised fluid-filled skin
- heelFoot's rear underside
palm · toes · fingers · roughness · cracked · dryness · thickened · hardened
Showing strong feelings
- hardenedMade tough or unfeeling
- desensitizedMade unresponsive through overexposure
- unfeelingWithout compassion or emotion
- thick-skinnedResistant to criticism
jaded · numbed · insensitive · indifferent · detached · steeled · inured · battle-scarred
Applying pressure while moving
- abrasionShallow surface wound
- chafingIrritation from friction
- blisteringExtremely intense or severe
- wearCarry on person
pressure · repetition · irritation · scraping · grinding · galling · fretting · rawness
Strenuous, prolonged effort
- farmerOne who cultivates land
- constructionProcess of building something
- carpenterTimber construction tradesperson
- gardenerOne who cultivates flora
mason · blacksmith · miner · welder · laborer · artisan · shovel · hoe
Lightweight volcanic abrasive
- exfoliateRemove outer skin layers
- moisturizerHydrating skin cream
- pedicureCosmetic toenail care
- manicureCosmetic fingertip grooming
filing · sanding · buffing · dermatology · lotion · softening · removal · scrub
Becoming less soft
- conditioningLearned behavioral adaptation
- adaptationFitting to new conditions
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
- toughnessResilient durability under strain
desensitization · tolerance · acclimatization · seasoning · weathering · protection · barrier · thickening
epidermis
Outermost tissue layer
heel · palm · toes · fingers · roughness · cracked · dryness · thickened · hardened · leathery
emotional
Showing strong feelings
- hardenedMade tough or unfeeling
- desensitizedMade unresponsive through overexposure
- unfeelingWithout compassion or emotion
thick-skinned · jaded · numbed · insensitive · indifferent · detached · steeled · inured · battle-scarred · world-weary
rubbing
Applying pressure while moving
- abrasionShallow surface wound
- chafingIrritation from friction
- blisteringExtremely intense or severe
wear · pressure · repetition · irritation · scraping · grinding · galling · fretting · rawness · soreness
toil
Strenuous, prolonged effort
- farmerOne who cultivates land
- constructionProcess of building something
- carpenterTimber construction tradesperson
gardener · mason · blacksmith · miner · welder · laborer · artisan · shovel · hoe · hammer
pumice
Lightweight volcanic abrasive
- exfoliateRemove outer skin layers
- moisturizerHydrating skin cream
- pedicureCosmetic toenail care
manicure · filing · sanding · buffing · dermatology · lotion · softening · removal · scrub · soak
hardening
Becoming less soft
- conditioningLearned behavioral adaptation
- adaptationFitting to new conditions
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
toughness · desensitization · tolerance · acclimatization · seasoning · weathering · protection · barrier · thickening · armoring
fretboard
Stringed instrument's neck face
- fingertipsTerminal phalanx pads
- strummingSweeping across guitar strings
- pickingAct of selecting
chords · strings · fingerstyle · practice · bassist · violinist · cellist · harpist · nylon · fretting
- skin conditionseczema, psoriasis, hives, dermatitis, rash
- foot carefoot file, pumice stone, foot scrub, foot lotion, foot bath
- footwear issuesblisters, bunions, heel pain, tight shoes, loose fit
- shoe problemsblister, blisters, bunion, bunions, corn
- Skin termsfreckles, moles, wrinkles, pores, acne
- growthsgrowth, growths, tumor, tumors, tumour
callusessoft skin
Smooth, yielding outer covering
smooth skin · soft tissue · blisters · raw skin · thin skin
callusessoft skin
Smooth, yielding outer covering
smooth skin · baby skin · sensitive skin · softness · tenderness
- callus removalEliminating thickened skin buildup
- callus removerInstrument removing hardened skin