How to Remove Calluses on Toes

Friction and pressure can cause calluses to form on the toes. You can get rid of these calluses by softening and gradually removing the dead skin above the calluses. However, you should be careful to avoid making the condition worse. If you want to know how, continue reading the steps below.

Table of Contents

Basic solution at home

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Choose shoes that feel comfortable. Calluses are caused by pressure and friction on the toes, so tight or uncomfortable shoes can be one of the culprits. One of the most important things you can do to prevent the formation and reduce the severity of calluses is to avoid shoes that put pressure on your toes.

It is best to choose a shoe that can be worn inside for regular use. Socks will soften the toe, thereby reducing friction that can cause calluses or aggravate an existing callus.
Avoid wearing high heels, especially shoes with small toes.
Choose shoes made of natural materials like leather or felt. These materials are more breathable.

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Relieve pressure by using a toe separator. When you get home and take off your shoes, you can further reduce pressure on your toes by wearing a toe separator.

Try foam sandals or split-toe sandals. These sandals have padding that separates the toes and prevents them from rubbing together as you walk.

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Sprinkle foot powder in between your toes. ^{[1] X Research Source} Chalk has a hygroscopic effect, so calluses on the toes are less likely to be irritated or red.

Sprinkle powder over and between toes before putting on socks and shoes in the morning. You can also sprinkle powder several times a day if you feel sweat between your toes.

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Gently rub the thick skin with a pumice stone. Soak your feet in warm soapy water for about 20 minutes to soften the skin, then scrub with a pumice stone to remove the hardest layer of skin on the surface of the callus. ^{[2] X Cleveland Clinic Trusted Source Go to Source}

You can use a nail file instead of a pumice stone. ^{[3] X Research Source} Calluses in between the toes are difficult to scrub with a pumice stone. In this case, you need to use a nail file instead of a pumice stone.

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Reduce discomfort with ice. If swelling and discomfort persist, you can apply an ice pack to the painful area for a few minutes to numb the discomfort and reduce swelling.

Ice does not cure calluses, but can reduce pain associated with severe calluses.

Home remedies

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Try an over-the-counter callus callus ointment or drop. Most over-the-counter medications contain salicylic acid in minimal concentrations to break down the protein keratin that causes calluses and the hard, thick skin on calluses. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

One downside to over-the-counter medications is that the acid can damage healthy skin as well as the skin over the callus, so these medications can do more harm than good if used too often.
Acid-containing products should not be used by people with diabetes, people with impaired senses or people with thin skin.
Always follow the directions on the medicine label when applying ointments or other topical medications.

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Use patches to treat calluses. This product is similar to a bandage, has a smooth lining for calluses on the toe, and also contains a low concentration of salicylic acid to cure calluses during application.

The best callus patches are the ring type (with a space in the middle). This patch both soothes the callus and retains enough moisture to soften the callus, thereby helping to relieve discomfort.
Many patches contain acids to help with calluses, so you should not use them with other medications. If you need to cover the callus after applying the medication, be sure to use a salicylic acid-free patch or a regular bandage.

Alternative therapies

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Soften calluses with castor oil. By softening the callus on your toe, you can reduce pain or discomfort and make it easier to exfoliate the callus.

Use a cotton ball to apply castor oil to calluses, let the oil soak for 3-4 minutes, then wash off the oil and exfoliate.
Do this up to 3 times a day.

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Soak in Epsom salt. Instead of soaking your feet in normal salt water, you can add a little Epsom salt or coarse salt to soften the skin faster.

Coarse salt is also a mild abrasive, so soaking your feet in salt water can soften the skin as well as remove dead and dry skin on the calluses.
Dissolve 1/2 cup (125 ml) of Epsom salt in 4 quarts of warm water in a bucket. Soak your feet in salt water for about 20-30 minutes.
After soaking, use a pumice stone to scrub the callus to exfoliate as much dead skin as possible.

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Apply crushed aspirin. You can crush aspirin and apply it to the callus to break down some of the protein that makes up the callus and the dead skin on the callus.

Crush an aspirin and mix it with enough drops of water to form a paste.
Apply this mixture on the calluses on your toes. Leave on for 5-10 minutes before rinsing with warm water and patting dry.

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Mix baking soda into a paste. A paste of baking soda, lemon juice, and water helps to heal calluses on toes. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Mix 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of baking soda with a few drops of lemon juice and a little water until it forms a paste. Apply the mixture on the callus, cover it with a bandage and wash it off the next morning. The callus will dry on its own within 4-6 days.
Alternatively, you can mix 2-3 tablespoons of baking soda (30-45 ml) in a basin of warm water. Soak your feet for 15-20 minutes, then use a pumice stone to rub the calluses on your toes.
You can also mix baking soda with a few drops of water to make a paste. Apply this paste on the callus, cover it and leave it overnight, wash it off the next morning.

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Try soaking calluses in chamomile tea. Chamomile can soothe foot discomfort, while drying sweat in between the toes and regulating the pH of the skin, thereby helping calluses heal faster.

You can apply warm and wet chamomile tea bags to the calluses for about 1-3 hours.
Another way is to soak your feet in a bucket of diluted chamomile tea for 15-20 minutes.
After applying a tea bag or soaking your feet with diluted tea, you can try using a pumice stone or nail file to remove calluses.

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Apply diluted vinegar to the callus. Vinegar has astringent properties, so it will make the skin on the callus dry faster, making it easier to exfoliate.

Dilute vinegar with water in a ratio of 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water.
Apply the vinegar solution to the callus and cover with a bandage or callus patch and leave it overnight.
The next morning, use a pumice stone or nail file to remove the thick skin on the callus.

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Apply mashed papaya. Papaya works to soothe pain or discomfort caused by calluses, and can make calluses dry and fall off faster.

Cut a few slices of papaya and crush it with a fork. Apply crushed papaya over the calluses on your toes, cover with a bandage or callus patch and leave overnight.
Exfoliate the callus the next morning.

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Use green fig juice and mustard oil. Green fig juice can soften and remove calluses more easily; Mustard oil kills bacteria that cause infections.

Apply green fig juice first. Use a cotton ball to dab a small amount on the skin and let it dry.
After the green fig juice has dried, you can use a cotton ball to apply mustard oil to the callus. This step will help prevent infection that can occur if the skin is cracked or broken during exfoliation.

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Mix together turmeric, aloe, and bromelian. This mixture will soften the skin on the calloused toes, thereby making it easier to remove the callus. ^{[6] X Research Source}

Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe discomfort; Aloe vera has a healing effect, and bromelain is a pineapple extract that has astringent properties. If bromelian is not available, you can substitute tea tree oil.
Mix turmeric, aloe vera gel and bromelian in equal proportions to form a paste. Apply the mixture to the callus, cover with a bandage and leave it overnight. The next morning, wash off the mixture and rub the callus with a pumice stone.

Specialized treatment

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Buy tailor-made insoles. Well-designed insoles can help cushion and protect the feet properly, helping calluses heal faster and prevent further calluses from forming.

You can buy standard insoles available, but custom-made insoles are much more effective. A podiatrist can help you purchase prescription insoles.

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Ask about prescription medications. Prescription topical medications often contain higher concentrations of salicylic acid than similar over-the-counter medications. Some prescription drugs also use other, stronger acidic compounds for the same purpose.

People with diabetes, impaired senses or have thin skin should not use products containing acids.
Other acids that can be used to treat calluses include trichloroacetic acid and compounds of salicylic acid, lactic acid, and cplodion. ^{[7] X Research Sources}
Use the medication carefully as directed to avoid accidentally injuring the skin around the callus.

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Use antibiotics to treat an infected callus. If the callus on your toe becomes infected, you may need to ask your doctor about antibiotics to treat the infection while the callus heals.

Note that your doctor will only prescribe oral antibiotics and topical antibiotics when calluses are infected. Antibiotics by themselves do not cure calluses, but only treat the infection.

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Talk to your podiatrist about removing scleroderma. You shouldn’t shave or remove calluses yourself, but a podiatrist can safely do this under the right conditions.

The doctor will numb the area and carefully remove the thick skin on the callus with a very thin, sharp blade. The procedure is safe and painless if performed by a professional, and can reduce discomfort and speed up recovery time. ^{[8] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source}

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Ask your doctor about surgery as a last resort. In the case of recurring calluses on the toe, your doctor may recommend surgery to reposition the bones of the toe. This will help reduce the pressure placed on the toe and greatly reduce the risk of calluses.

Calluses can form between the toes when the toe bones grow at angles that cause the toes to rub together. Surgery can correct these bones, making the toes more straight and less impactful.

Warning

Do not try to treat calluses at home yourself if you have diabetes, atherosclerosis or any other circulatory problems.
Never attempt to cut or scrape a callus, as not only will this not address the root cause of the problem, but it can also create a wound that is susceptible to infection.

Things you need

Comfortable shoes
Socks
Split toe pads or split toe sandals
Foot moisturizing powder
Pumice
Nail file cover
Ice
Ointments, drops, over-the-counter patches
Castor oil
Water
Epsom salt
Aspirin medicine
Baking soda
Chamomile tea
Vinegar
Papaya
Green fig juice
Mustard Oil
Turmeric
Aloe
Bromelain or tea tree oil
Prescription topical application
Antibiotics

Steps