How to Remove Calluses

Calluses are thick, hard skin, usually on the palms of the hands or feet, and form when an area of skin is subjected to too much pressure or friction, such as wearing shoes that are too tight. The body creates calluses as a protective measure. Aside from the inconvenience, calluses can be uncomfortable and painful, but luckily there are a few things you can do to get rid of calluses. Note, consult your doctor first if you do not know why calluses form or if you have diabetes.

Table of Contents

Apply conventional therapies

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Soak hands, feet or elbows in warm/hot water for 10 minutes. Calluses will begin to soften after soaking in hot water. If you like, you can add Epsom salts, bath oils, and even tea to the water. ^{[1] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Add 1 cup of apple cider vinegar to the soaking water if the callus is too hard (Warning: do not add more vinegar if you have diabetes or poor circulation.)

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Use a pumice stone or foot file to scrub the calluses. Remember to clean the pumice stone or file every now and then. Do not rub too much; Just 5 minutes is enough. You should slowly rub the callus away after about a month. Stop scrubbing after a few layers of skin have been removed or if you start to feel pain.

Do not rub calluses with a pumice stone if you have diabetes. ^{[2] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

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Wash your feet/hands. Use a cotton towel to rub the calluses. ^{[3] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source} Make sure to scrub all dead skin off.

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Pat hands/feet dry and apply lotion. You should choose a thick foot/hand lotion to increase moisture. ^{[4] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source} Urea lotion products are particularly effective.

Before going to bed, you should wear socks or gloves to keep the lotion and moisture in.
Repeat this whole process every weekend.

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Soften hands/feet skin. Reapply lotion after each shower. You should use a thicker cream for best results.

Regular moisturizing of the hands and feet can help prevent dry skin and cellulite.

Try home remedies

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Use aspirin to soften calluses. Crush 5-6 aspirin tablets and mix with ½ teaspoon (3g) of lemon juice and water. Apply the mixture just mixed on the callus, cover with a warm towel and cover with plastic wrap. Leave it on for about 10 minutes, then remove it and use a pumice stone to scrub the callus.

Again, do not try this therapy if you have diabetes. Also do not use this method if you are allergic to aspirin.

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Try baking soda. One of the most effective methods for treating warts and calluses is to soak them in warm water. Warm water will slough off dead skin and help it heal. Dissolve 2 tablespoons of baking soda in a basin of warm water to soak – baking soda has a pH of 9, which means it’s alkaline and can disrupt the skin’s natural barrier. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

You can also mix the paste with 3 parts baking soda and 1 part water to rub on the calluses. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

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Add chamomile tea to your foot bath. A foot soak in diluted chamomile tea can soothe and temporarily change the skin’s pH, helping to dry sweaty feet. Tea can stain your feet, but you can easily wash it off with soap and water. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

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Use corn starch. Sprinkle cornstarch between your toes to keep your feet dry and prevent chapped skin. Humidity can make warts or calluses very uncomfortable and susceptible to fungal infections. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

This is a very effective prevention method and should be used to help reduce discomfort.

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Consider using vinegar. Dip a cotton ball in vinegar and apply it to the wart or callus with tape. Leave a cotton ball soaked in vinegar overnight, and in the morning use a pumice stone to rub the callus. ^{[9] X Research Source}

Make sure to only apply the cotton pad neatly over the callus to avoid irritating the surrounding skin.

Choose the right shoes and use products that support your feet

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Change shoes. One of the most common causes of calluses is simply wearing the wrong shoes. If you wear shoes that don’t fit, calluses are more likely to form – so you need to choose shoes that fit well. Shoes must hug the foot (but not hurt), fit the width of the foot, and the toes can be moved easily. ^{[11] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Try to avoid wearing high heels; High heels place all your weight on the soles of your feet, causing calluses to appear. You should wear flats whenever possible; Flat shoes are always more comfortable. ^{[12] X Research Source}
If the calluses are on your hands, you can wear padded gloves to reduce the risk of calluses forming. Make sure gloves fit snugly; Gloves that are too loose will backfire and further irritate the skin because of constant rubbing. ^{[13] X Research Source}

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Use shoe insoles. Calluses on the feet are not uncommon, so a number of companies have begun to produce shoe insoles designed to remove calluses. ^{[14] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source} Many products are mpeskin and can be easily inserted into shoes. ^{[15] X Research Source}

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Learn about medicinal topicals and patches. You don’t have to go to the doctor for a prescription for calluses. Products such as patches or other medications are readily available without a prescription. However, most of these products contain the active ingredient salicylic acid, which can make irritation or infection worse (or worse) than it was before treatment. If you suffer from any of the following conditions, it is best to avoid taking it: ^{[16] X Research Source}

Diabetes
Decreased sensation in the feet due to circulatory disorders or nerve damage
Poor vision or poor flexibility and inability to use the product properly

Advice

If the condition is getting worse, try bottled water.
Make sure your water doesn’t contain a lot of chlorine or other chemicals that cause dry skin.
If you have diabetes, be very careful when handling calluses. Even minor skin lesions can cause ulcers that take a long time to heal and lead to infection.
Apply Vaseline cream and massage the calluses for 5 minutes. 5 minutes later wash off with moisturizing soap. Apply moisturizer after the skin is dry and repeat the process above.

Warning

Don’t rub too much. You can get an infection if your skin peels off too much.
Do not cut calluses yourself at home. Visit a podiatrist or esthetician to have them treat it.
If you have diabetes, *don’t* remove calluses on your own! This can make poor circulation worse. Please consult your doctor.
Do not use acid-containing callus removers; These products often make the skin drier. Be especially careful if you use over-the-counter products that contain salicylic acid. These products may tear the skin.

Steps

Apply conventional therapies

Try home remedies

Choose the right shoes and use products that support your feet

Advice

Warning

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