Calluses on feet are pretty common mostly due to repeated friction. A callus is nothing but an area of skin that has toughened and become thick and hard, due to repeated friction, pressure, and/or other type of irritation over a period of time. Calluses usually form on the soles of your feet, especially on the underside of your big toe. However, calluses are also known to form on hands, fingers, or any other part of the body that is exposed to repeated friction. A callus pressing on a bone or a nerve can be as painful as a pebble between your toes.
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Causes of calluses
Calluses on the feet occur mostly due to dry skin, or extreme friction in one area, especially caused by ill-fitting shoes. Here are the most common causes for calluses on feet:
- Ill-fitting shoes
- Tight shoes that compress large parts of your feet
- Loose shoes that lead to sliding, rubbing, and/or friction, thereby causing calluses
- High heels that compress your feet and put undue pressure on your feet, even when you’re standing, and not walking in them
- A seam or a stitch inside the shoe that hasn’t been treated properly can rub along your feet and cause calluses
- Wearing shoes without socks
- Walking barefoot, without shoes
- Using certain tools and equipment that require pressure from your feet
- Too sweaty feet
- Standing for long hours of the day
- Foot problems like bunions or hammer toes
Calluses are not generally harmful, but more like uncomfortable that only increases as the size of the callus grows. So it’s important to treat them as soon as you become aware of their presence to avoid further discomfort. However, if you suffer from certain medical conditions like diabetes, or other serious conditions, it becomes all the more imperative that you get your calluses treated, and take better care of your feet. Calluses, when combined with certain medical conditions, could develop complications such as infections, ulcers, or other serious developments.
Calluses are characterized by thick, toughened skin, along with flaky, dry, yellow skin patches. Although they are not painful, they are bumpy to the touch, and the surrounding areas become less sensitive to touch. Also, they can cause discomfort when any kind of pressure is applied to it, like walking, or standing for long hours of the day. Sometimes they may also burn or throb, when undue pressure is applied on them.
Home remedies for calluses on feet
In order to curb the calluses and get rid of them as soon as you notice them, you might want to try these natural home remedies for calluses on feet.
1. Apple cider vinegar
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Apple cider vinegar is one of the most effective natural remedies to treat calluses on feet. Its acidic nature helps in softening the hardened skin, while also helping speed up the healing process.
Remedy
- Soak a clean cotton ball in apple cider vinegar, squeezing out most of the excess. Now, tape this to your callus before going to sleep. Let it stay overnight. The following morning, remove it and exfoliate the affected area using a pumice stone. Once done, apply some olive oil or coconut oil to keep the area moisturized. Repeat the remedy once a day till your callus is gone.
2. Aspirin
Not many people know this, but aspirin can be used to soften the toughened skin around a callus. Additionally, it will also help alleviate the discomfort caused by a callus.
Remedy
- Crush and powder about 6 aspirin tablets. Add half a teaspoon of lemon juice to this, along with a quarter teaspoon of water. Mix all of these well to form a paste. Now, apply this paste on the callus and let it sit for a while. Wrap your foot (or both feet) with a plastic bag. Wrap a warm towel for about 10 minutes, over the plastic bag. Once the time is up, remove all the coverings and rinse off the area with warm water. Using a pumice stone, scrub off the dead skin cells to reveal soft, un-callused feet.
Pro tip: Repeat this remedy at least once a day for a few days to a week to find relief.
3. Baking soda
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Baking soda possesses natural exfoliant properties, which make it a very good remedy for calluses. The crystals in the soda help exfoliate and smooth out the toughened skin around the callus.
Remedies
- Make a paste using 3 parts baking soda and 1 part water. Use this paste to massage the callus for a few minutes. Let it sit for another couple of minutes, before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Now, remove all the dead skin cells on and around the callus by rubbing gently with a pumice stone.
- To a tub of warm water, add 3 tablespoons of baking soda. Stir it thoroughly, and soak your feet in the solution for about 10 minutes. Rinse your feet with plain water and scrub the softened skin with a pumice stone to remove all the dead skin cells.
Pro tip: Repeat either of these remedies once a day till your feet are calluses-free.
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4. Bread and vinegar
Bread and vinegar together form an effective remedy for calluses on the feet. This paste is known to help soften the callused, hardened skin, while also helping reduce the risk of infection.
Remedy
- Firstly, soak your feet in warm water and scrub off the affected areas with a pumice stone to remove all the dead skin cells. Pat your feet dry with a towel. Now, soak half a slice of bread in half a cup of white vinegar. Take out the soaked slice of bread and place it over the callus(es). Wrap it with a bandage, leaving it on overnight. The following morning, remove the covering and apply some moisturizing lotion. Repeat this remedy every night, till your feet are callus-free.
5. Castor oil
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Castor oil is another natural remedy that is most effective for treating a callus. This viscous oil helps moisturize dry, hardened, rough skin in and around the callus, and thereby makes it soft.
Remedies
- In a large pot, mix equal amounts of apple cider vinegar and castor oil, and heat it till it’s warm. Soak your feet in this warm mixture for about 10 minutes or so. Then, wash off your feet with warm water. Use a pumice stone to scrub away the dead skin cells. Repeat this remedy at least once a day for a few days, till the calluses are gone.
- Soak your feet in warm water, scrub using a pumice stone, and pat dry with a clean towel. Now, cover the callus with a cotton ball soaked in castor oil, and wrap it in place with a piece of tape or bandage. Follow this remedy as often as you need it, till the callus disappears altogether.
6. Epsom salt soak
An Epsom salt soak is an easy way to treat calluses on the feet. Not only will it help soften the toughened skin around the callus, it will also help scrub it away and keep your feet free from infection.
Remedy
- In a tub, pour some hot water, along with a handful of Epsom salt. Stir thoroughly, and soak your feet in it for about 10 minutes. Using a pumice stone, scrub gently over the affected area for a few minutes. This will help scrape off the dead skin cells. Pat dry with a clean towel, and rub in some thick foot cream/lotion to keep your feet moisturized. Repeat this remedy as needed, till you see that your feet are callus-free.
7. Onion
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Onion contains natural acids, which make it highly effective in treating calluses. Additionally, it possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties, which help prevent any infections or skin ulcers at the callus site.
Remedies
- On a thick slice of onion, sprinkle some salt and a few drops of lemon juice. Put this slice on the affected area and wrap it in place using a piece of tape. Let it sit overnight. Repeat this every day for a week to get rid of the callus easily.
- Slice 1 small onion and soak it in white vinegar for 3-4 hours. Apply this vinegar-soaked onion on the callus, wrapping it in place using a bandage or a piece of tape. Leave it on overnight. The following morning, use a pumice stone to scrub away the dead skin cells. Repeat this remedy every day for a week to get rid of the callus.
8. Lemon
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Lemon juice and lemon peel are both known to be quite effective in treating calluses on feet. Its acidic nature helps get rid of the callus very quickly, while also helping alleviate the discomfort brought on by it.
Remedies
- Soak a clean cotton ball in freshly squeezed lemon juice and apply it on the affected areas. Wrap a bandage over it and leave it on overnight. The following the morning, replace the dried cotton ball with a newly soaked one. Repeat until there’s no trace of the callus on your foot.
- Place a fresh lemon peel on the callus and wrap it with a bandage to keep it in place. Leave it on overnight. The following morning, replace the peel with another one and wrap it again. Repeat this remedy every day, till the callus disappears.
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9. Sea salt
Sea salt is an excellent natural remedy for getting rid of calluses, all thanks to its granular texture. It helps by working as a natural scrub, by helping remove dry, dead skin cells from the callus site.
Remedy
- In a bowl, mix together equal amounts of sea salt and olive oil, and set it aside. Next, soak your feet in a tub filled with warm water for about 10 minutes to soften the callused area. Gently scrub the paste all over the callused area using circular motions for a few minutes. Wash your feet with warm water, and pat dry with a towel. Rub in some moisturizing cream/lotion on your feet to keep the moisture in. Repeat this remedy at least once a day till the calluses are healed completely.
These are all the most effective home remedies for calluses on feet. Granted that calluses are not painful or life-threatening, but they need to be treated nonetheless. Do not neglect them.
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