Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

The average person walks thousands of steps in a lifetime. These steps, along with what we wear on our feet, can wear off a bit of the foot. Unfortunately, our feet just can't beat calluses (and lumps). Keeping feet healthy by wearing the right shoes and socks, and soaking and rubbing your feet regularly, can help remove calluses. If you keep these habits steady, you can even prevent calluses from forming in the first place.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Remove calluses at home

1. 

   Soak your feet often. If your feet have calluses, you should soak them often to soften dry or dead skin. Softening the skin with lukewarm water and a mild soapy foot bath can help to remove calluses more easily.
   • Use warm water instead of hot water. Hot water can dry out the skin and irritate your feet.
   • If you have diabetes, you should soak your feet daily. Use warm soapy water and dry your feet thoroughly. Then, moisturize your feet with a little moisturizing oil, moisturizing wax or baby oil.

2. 

   
   
   Remove calluses with a pumice stone or nail file. After a foot bath or shower, use a pumice stone, a foot file or sandpaper to scrub off the dead skin from the calluses.
   • Pumices and nail files are more effective if you wet them in warm water before using them.
   • If you don't have a pumice stone, nail file, or sandpaper, you can use a towel to scrub away dead skin.
   • After rubbing dead skin, apply moisturizer to your feet to retain moisture and keep the skin on your feet soft.
   • If you have diabetes, check with your doctor before using a pumice stone to remove calluses.

3. 

   
   
   Protect some parts of your feet. Calluses (and lumpy spots) appear where the feet rub against the shoes and socks as you walk. You may find some shoes that make the feet more prone to calluses. So, first of all, you need to wear shoes that fit your feet so that they do not cause calluses or bumpers. On the other hand, you can use an over-the-counter (non-medicated) band-aid as an alternative to protecting your feet.
   • These bandages 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 match the desired location.
   • Some bandages may contain special effects, but they should not be used unless directed to use them by your doctor.

4. 

   
   
   See your doctor. If the callus or bump becomes too painful or swollen, talk to your doctor about the best course of action.
   • Your doctor has the right supplies and equipment to remove excess skin from calluses or bumps. Absolutely not cut excess skin at home.
   • Your doctor may recommend or prescribe an antibiotic ointment (such as Polysporin) to use for calluses or bumps that are infected or potentially infected.

5. 

   Use medicine to remove calluses. There are many medical products to help you get rid of calluses that your doctor may recommend.
   • A small patch containing 40% salicylic acid solution can be applied directly to calluses or papules to soften the skin, making it easier to remove. These patches can be purchased over-the-counter at pharmacies and under different brand names. If your doctor has not shown you how to use and when to use the patch, you should follow the directions on the package.
   • A prescription strength salicylic acid gel is also available for wider areas that the patch does not cover.
   • Salicylic acid should only be used under the direction of a doctor. Because it is an acid, salicylic acid is capable of causing burns and skin irritation, leading to infection. Your doctor will advise you on which product to take, how often to use it, and how much to take each time.

6. 

   Buy insoles that are measured by foot size. Deformed feet are one reason why calluses. Deformation may be quite small but is enough to cause excess rubbing in some locations on the foot with the inside of the shoe. Buying insoles measured for foot size or orthopedic insoles can help correct deformations in your feet and reduce the risk of calluses. advertisement

Method 2 of 3: Pedicure

1. 

   Choose the right shoes. Buying and wearing the right shoes is a long-term way to prevent calluses from forming on the foot. There are many things to keep in mind when buying a new shoe, including:
   • Make sure the salesperson measures both feet. Most of us have one leg bigger than the other. You should choose a shoe size that will fit the larger foot.
   • Go buy shoes as late as possible. After a long day, your feet will swell, so buy shoes based on the size of your swollen feet. This will make sure your shoes are large enough to fit your swollen feet and won't be inconvenient when you're traveling all day.
   • Buy shoes based on how your feet feel when you wear them, even if the size isn't right.
   • It is also obvious that you should buy shoes that are shaped like feet. Many "stylish" shoes have strange shapes that can hurt your feet and cause calluses.
   • When trying on new shoes, make sure your whole foot feels comfortable in the shoe, from the tip of your toes to the part between your toes and the soles of your feet, to your heels.
   • Leave about 1-2.5 cm of space in the toe, between the tip of the big toe and the top of the shoe.

2. 

   Keep your feet dry. Socks are just as important as shoes in keeping feet healthy and free of calluses. Cotton or natural-fiber socks are the best option to keep your feet dry when wearing shoes. This step is especially important when you are physically active and sweat more than usual.
   • Make sure the shoes are dry before returning them (do not wear wet shoes).
   • Avoid wearing the same pair of socks for 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 every day as part of your hygiene routine, including between your toes. Besides, after washing your feet, you need to let your feet dry completely before wearing socks.
   • Consider wearing flip flops or sandals when traveling in public pools and even inside public bathrooms.

3. 

   Moisturize your feet every day. Calluses are formed by locations on the feet rubbing against the socks and shoes. But you can prevent and heal calluses by moisturizing your feet daily, while also keeping your skin supple. Moisturizing and keeping feet soft is even more important in winter when the air is colder and drier.
   • Don't put on moisturizer and walk barefoot as this can be very dangerous.
   • Make it a habit to apply moisturizer to your feet right before bed.
   • Take advantage of the opportunity to massage your feet while applying moisturizer. This not only helps the feet feel comfortable, but also improves blood circulation in the legs.
   • If possible, buy and use a foot-only moisturizer.

4. 

   Find ways to avoid and get rid of the bump. Lumps are calluses that form on the toe instead of elsewhere on the foot. Lumps are usually caused by the toe of the shoe rubbing against the toe. In other words, the lump may be due to the toe being too small or the high heels causing the foot to sink due to gravity.
   • The way to remove and prevent a bump is the same as for calluses, but see your doctor if the bump is really severe and painful.

5. 

   Relax. It is also important to rest your feet regularly. Like every other part of the body, the legs need to rest from the stresses. In addition, if you often sit cross-legged, switch legs occasionally to improve circulation. advertisement

Method 3 of 3: Try other ways to care for the feet

1. 

   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 using a pumice stone or nail file to scrub your feet.
   • Although it can be purchased in a pharmacy, a razor or razor blade is not the right choice. They cut easily in the legs and these cuts can become infected easily.

2. 

   DIY crack healing cream. The heel is often one of the most prone to calluses. You can keep your heels and the rest of the feet soft and moist by making your own homemade crack healing cream. Simply add 1 teaspoon of olive oil to 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 your feet, especially heels.
   • Cream can be made and stored for long-term use, as long as remember to shake the bottle before use.

3. 

   Apply oil to your feet before going to bed. The best time to moisturize your feet is before bed. Not only do you moisturize your feet with an over-the-counter moisturizer, you can also use vegetable oils. Just apply a layer of vegetable oil to your feet before going to bed and then put on thick socks. Wear socks overnight while sleeping and wipe off excess oil the next morning.
   • Vegetable oils (and other oils) can contaminate fabrics, including socks and bedding. In this case, wool socks are best because the wool is oil-absorbent and does not cause stains. If you don't have wool socks (or wear wool socks that are too hot), use an old pair of socks.

4. 

   Create a foot mask at night. Face, hair, and hands are all eligible for the benefits of masking, and so are feet. Making a homemade pampering mask is very simple, just 1 teaspoon of Vaseline (or similar product) and 1 lemon juice. Mix Vaseline with lemon juice in a bowl and apply the mixture on clean feet before going to bed. Wear socks all night and wipe off excess Vaseline the next morning with a towel.
   • Sacrifice old socks to use, so you don't have to worry that Vaseline gets dirty with socks or sheets.

5. 

   Try paraffin wax to moisturize your feet. Cosmetologists often use paraffin wax as part of a pedicure at a spa, but you can also use paraffin wax at home. Just melt the wax in a large bowl in the microwave and add a little mustard oil (a 1: 1 ratio). Mustard oil is a moisturizer for the feet. Soak your feet in a bowl of wax (when the wax is cool enough) twice, wait a bit between soaking to make sure the wax on your feet is dry. Then, wrap the foot in a plastic bag or bag for about 15 minutes. Peel off the bag and wax on the legs at the same time. advertisement

Advice

• Nail polish remover comes in a form that contains acetone and does not contain acetone. Products containing acetone are better at removing nail polish, but can be harmful to skin and nails. If your nails are easy to dry out and brittle, or you often remove them a lot, use a product that does not contain acetone. An acetone-free product is milder for skin and nails, but you also need to use more effort to remove nail polish.

Warning

• People with diabetes (or other conditions affecting blood circulation in the legs) need to pay special attention to the condition of the feet. These subjects were also at higher risk of complications from calluses. In these cases, it is best to see a doctor before attempting home remedies.