How to get rid of calluses on feet

The average person walks thousands of steps in a lifetime. These steps, along with what we wear on our feet, can cause our feet to wear out a bit. Unfortunately, our feet can’t beat calluses (and calluses). Keeping your feet healthy by wearing the right shoes and socks, and soaking and scrubbing your feet regularly, can help get rid of calluses. If you maintain these habits regularly, you can even prevent calluses from forming in the first place.

Table of Contents

Get rid of calluses at home

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Soak your feet often. If your feet have calluses, you should soak your feet regularly to soften dry and dead skin. Softening the skin with warm water and a mild soapy foot bath can make it easier to remove calluses. ^{[1] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Use warm water instead of hot water. Hot water can dry out your skin and irritate your feet.
If you have diabetes, you should soak your feet daily. Use warm water mixed with mild soap and dry your feet thoroughly. Then, moisturize your feet with some moisturizing oil, moisturizing wax, or baby oil. ^{[2] X Research Source}

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Remove calluses with a pumice stone or foot file. After soaking your feet or bathing, use a pumice stone, a foot file, or a piece of sandpaper to scrub away the dead skin on the callus. ^{[3] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Pumice stones and pedicure files are more effective if you wet them in warm water before using them.
If you don’t have a pumice stone, a foot file, or sandpaper, you can use a towel to scrub away the dead skin.
After scrubbing the dead skin, apply a moisturizer to your feet to moisturize and keep them soft.
If you have diabetes, ask your doctor before using a pumice stone to remove calluses. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

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Protect some parts of the leg. Calluses (and calluses) appear where your feet rub against shoes and socks as you walk. You may find some shoes make your feet more calloused. So, first of all, you need to wear shoes that fit your feet so as not to cause calluses or bumps. On the other hand, you can use an over-the-counter (non-therapeutic) bandage as an alternative to protect your feet. ^{[5] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

These band-aids come in a variety of shapes and sizes, for different positions on the foot, or can be large square pieces for you to cut to size to fit the desired position.
Some bandages may contain a special treatment, but you should not use these unless directed to use by your doctor.

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Visit your doctor for a foot exam. If the calluses or bumps become too painful or swollen, you should see your doctor to discuss the best treatment option. ^{[6] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Your doctor has the right tools and equipment to remove excess skin from a callus or papule. Never cut excess skin yourself at home. ^{[7] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}
Your doctor may recommend or prescribe an antibiotic ointment (such as Ppysporin) to use for calluses or calluses that are infected or likely to become infected.

Foot care

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Choose the right shoes. Buying and wearing the right shoes is a long-term way to prevent calluses from forming on your feet. There are many things that you need to keep in mind when buying a new pair of shoes, including: ^{[12] X Research Source}

Make sure the salesperson measures both feet. Most of us have one foot bigger than the other. You should choose a shoe size that fits your larger foot.
Buy shoes as late as possible. After a long day, feet will swell so you need to buy shoes based on the size of swollen feet. This ensures that the shoe is wide enough to fit swollen feet and doesn’t cause inconvenience as you move around all day.
Buy shoes based on how your feet feel, even if the shoe size isn’t right.
Another obvious thing is that you should buy shoes that are shaped like your feet. Many “stylish” shoes have an odd shape that can hurt your feet and cause calluses.
When trying on new shoes, you need to make sure that the whole foot feels comfortable in the shoe, from the tip of the toe to the mid-toe to the sole, all the way to the heel.
Leave about 1-2.5 cm of space at the toe of the shoe, between the tip of the big toe and the top of the shoe.

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Keep feet dry. Socks are just as important as shoes in keeping feet healthy and free of calluses. Cotton socks or socks made from natural fibers are the best choice to help keep feet dry when wearing shoes. This step is especially important when you are physically active and sweat more than usual. ^{[13] X Research Source}

Remember to let the shoes dry before putting them back on (don’t wear wet shoes).
Avoid wearing the same pair of socks two days in a row (if possible), especially if the socks are wet or sweaty.
Change wet socks as soon as possible.
Remember to wash your feet daily as part of your hygiene routine, even between your toes. Besides, after washing your feet, you need to let them dry completely before wearing socks.
Consider wearing flip-flops or sandals when walking around in public pools, even inside public baths. ^{[14] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source}

Try other ways to take care of your feet

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Soak your feet in lemon juice. The acid in lemon juice can be helpful in softening and removing calluses. Soak your feet in lemon juice for about 10 minutes before scrubbing them with a pumice stone or foot file. ^{[18] X Research Sources}

Although it can be purchased at a pharmacy, a razor or blade for shaving legs is not the right choice. They cut easily into the legs and these cuts can be susceptible to infection. ^{[19] X Research Source}

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DIY crack healing cream. The heel is often one of the most prone to calluses. You can keep your heels and the rest of your feet soft and moist by making your own crack healing cream at home. Just put 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a small bottle and add a few drops of lemon or lavender essential oil. Shake the bottle until the liquid turns thick and milky and then apply it to the feet, especially the heels. ^{[20] X Research Source}

You can make ice cream and store it for a long time, as long as you remember to shake the bottle before using.

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Oil your feet before going to bed. The best time to moisturize your feet is before going to bed. Not only can you moisturize your feet with a store-bought moisturizer, you can also use vegetable oils. Just apply a layer of vegetable oil on your feet before going to bed and then put on thick socks. Wear socks overnight while you sleep and wipe off excess oil the next morning. ^{[21] X Research Source}

Vegetable oils (and other oils) can stain fabrics, including socks and sheets. In this case, wool socks are best because wool absorbs oil and does not stain. If you don’t have wool socks (or wear them that are too hot), use an old pair of socks.

Advice

Nail polish remover is available in both acetone and acetone-free. Products containing acetone are better at removing nail polish but can be harmful to the skin and nails. If your nails get dry and brittle, or you often remove nail polish a lot, you should use an acetone-free product. Acetone-free products are gentler on skin and nails, but you also need more effort to remove nail polish. ^{[24] X Research Source}

Warning

People with diabetes (or other conditions affecting blood circulation in the legs) need to pay special attention to the condition of their feet. These subjects are also at higher risk for complications from calluses. In these cases, it is best to see a doctor before applying home remedies. ^{[25] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Steps

Get rid of calluses at home

Foot care

Try other ways to take care of your feet

Advice

Warning

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