Continue doing this until the skin has softened up and relaxed a little. Even if this doesn’t remove the callus or corn completely, it will certainly make it more comfortable. This is a great reason to take a break and crack open a good book. You can also do this in front of the TV and catch up on your favorite show.
Don’t do this if the skin is punctured or you’re recovering from a wound—you’re better off letting the skin heal first before doing this. Over time, the lotion or cream will soften the skin and the callus or corn will either disappear or be soft enough to remove. The softer your skin becomes, the closer you are to getting rid of that annoying callus!
You can make your own pad by wrapping gauze into a circular shape and using athletic tape or skin tape to hold it in place. This is particularly important if the callus or corn is on the bottom of your foot where calluses can get really obnoxious.
If you tend to do a lot of physical activity in your spare time, this is a great excuse to finally catch up on that book or movie you’ve been trying to watch!
If the callus or corn is still really hard, you may have an easier time doing this while the skin is wet or moist. If rubbing the skin hurts when it’s dry, try doing it while you’re in the shower. Do not attempt to remove a callus or corn if you haven’t softened the skin up for at least a few days. If you do, you may break your skin or cut yourself. A pumice stone is basically a chunk of volcanic rock that can remove dead skin without harming the healthy skin around it. You can use an emery board or soft nail file instead if you prefer. [6] X Research source
Always remember that the callus is your body’s response to increased pressure and friction. Rubbing too hard may result in more callus formation.
You can tell when you’re done by feeling the skin. If the skin is uniform, soft, and it matches the rest of your skin, you’re done!
In most cases, regularly moisturizing a callus or corn before it forms is the best way to keep the skin from drying out.
If you work with your hands and can’t avoid the physical labor, get yourself a pair of comfy gloves.
When your shoes fit correctly, you should be able to wiggle your toes freely. Try on shoes before you buy them. Sometimes, the fit will be different depending on the manufacturer, so pay attention to how the shoe feels on your foot, not the size marked on the box.
If you want some fancy custom inserts, visit a podiatrist to get a set made specifically for your feet!
Your doctor may recommend medical treatments to help you heal faster, or they might just monitor your progress while you do home treatments. Calluses are typically not serious, but they may lead to an infection if your skin breaks open.
Your doctor can offer you medical treatments to speed up your recovery. If your callus gets infected, it can quickly become a serious issue. Don’t hesitate to see your doctor.
Tell your doctor how long you’ve had the callus and what you’ve done to try to remove it. Your doctor may want to do an X-ray to make sure you don’t have a foot abnormality that’s making the callus get worse.
