Hard facts Calluses are your skin’s way of protecting itself against repeated friction or pressure.
You can get them from wearing sandals, shoes with no cushioning, or shoes that don’t fit well, or if you have certain foot problems. And you may get more of them with age, as the fat pads on your feet thin out. Though unsightly, calluses are usually not a problem.
Ones that form on your hands if you play tennis, or on your fingers if you play a string instrument, can actually be helpful. But if a blister forms underneath or if calluses become too thick and crack, they can be painful. Calluses that develop a thick center are called corns and usually develop on toes, where they are particularly tender.
If you get hard calluses on your feet:
Scrub them away. Use a pumice stone regularly after showering or soaking your feet in warm water. Follow up with a thick moisturizer.
Wear properly fitting shoes. You may be advised to use shoes inserts, especially if you have an underlying foot problem.
Use a cream. Prescription creams and ointments containing urea or lactic acid, at 40 to 50% strength, are most effective. Called keratolytic agents, they chemically break down and soften the thick skin of the callus.
Over-the-counter products often contain the same (or similar-acting) chemicals as prescription products, but at lower concentration, so they may be less effective or not effective at all. Those containing salicylic acid may be harmful if not used correctly, so follow label directions carefully.
Beware of corn cutters. If you scrape too hard (as with a pumice stone, too) or use the file on wet skin you can end up abrading healthy skin and risking infection. Use it cautiously – or not at all — if you have diabetes or circulatory problems.
SEEK AN EXPERT
If calluses are painful or bothersome, your doctor can trim down the thickened area with a blade (never cut a callus yourself). He’ll also help identify and correct what may be causing them. If you have diabetes or a nerve or circulatory problem that affects your feet, seek medical attention for problem calluses.
