How to Treat Calloused Feet

A callus is a toughened area of the skin, usually on the foot, which has become thick and hard due to repeated pressure or irritation. It is usually a result of wearing shoes that are too tight. A callus on the foot can make you feel as if you are walking on a pebble. They are uncomfortable and unsightly. Unless you have a severe or constant pain, in which case you would need a physician's care, you can remedy the problem yourself.

Things You'll Need

• Foot soak
• Exfoliate
• Pumice stone
• Foot lotion or petroleum jelly
• Pair of socks
• Callus cushions
• Callus remover

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Soak your feet in warm water with a store-bought foot soak or Epsom salts. The warm water will help soften the tough callus. The foot soak will moisturize and energize your tired feet.

• 2

  Remove your feet from the water and apply an exfoliating product. These types of products will moisturize your feet and remove the dead skin cells. After you have generously applied the scrub or exfoliating product, put your feet back in the warm water and rinse off the product.

• 3

  Remove your feet from the water and dry them with a towel. Scrape the calluses with a pumice stone or emery board, concentrating on areas such as the heel and ball of the foot, where thicker calluses are common. You may need to use a pumice stone or emery board anywhere from once a day to twice a week, until the callus in completely removed.

• 4

  Massage a thick foot lotion or petroleum jelly over your entire foot, but concentrate on the heels, balls and other problem areas. Put on a pair of socks to retain heat and allow the product to penetrate deep into the skin.

• 5

  If the spa-like treatment has not done the trick, use an over-the-counter callus remover that contains salicylic acid. Apply directly to the callus, avoiding other areas on the feet as the acid can burn healthy skin.