Key takeaways:
Calluses are areas of thickened skin that often form on the feet and heels.
You can soften and reduce calluses at home using warm water soaks, medicated peels, urea moisturizer, and petrolatum.
Don't try to remove your calluses at home if you have diabetes or medical conditions that affect your circulation or nerves.
Calluses occur when the skin thickens to protect against repeated rubbing and friction. They often appear on the bottom of the feet, the back of the heels, and the tops of the toes.
From your shoes to your exercise routine, anything that puts pressure on your feet can cause a callus. You shouldn’t try to remove the calluses on your feet completely. Remember that they're there for a reason and your body will respond by building more calluses. But foot callus treatments can soften calluses so they’re less noticeable. Some treatments can also take stress off your feet so your calluses don’t get bigger. Here’s seven science-backed ways to treat your calluses at home.
1. Pumice stone
Pumice stones are one of the best ways to treat calluses. They’re made from volcanic rock. They may look spongy but they’re actually rough. This makes them excellent at removing the top layer of calluses.
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To use a pumice stone, first wet your feet. Remember to never use a pumice stone on dry skin. This can lead to skin injury and infection.
For best results, soak your feet in warm water or a sitz bath for 5 to 10 minutes before using the pumice stone. This will soften your callus so the pumice stone can work its magic.
Next wet the pumice stone and then gently rub it against your callus in a circular motion. There’s no need to rub hard or fast. Stop after you’ve gone over the area 2 or 3 times. Your goal isn’t to remove your callus in one go.
You don’t need to use a pumice stone every day. Too much of a good thing can irritate your feet and lead to more callus build up. Instead, use your pumice stone 1 or 2 times a week.
When it comes to callus removers, stick to pumice stones. And stay away from sharp instruments like shavers. Trying to cut off or shave down a callus with one of these tools can damage healthy skin under the callus. The result may lead to infection.
2. Urea cream or ointment
Urea is a moisturizer that does double duty. Not only does it moisturize and soften skin, it also exfoliates the top layer of a callus.
There’s many urea containing creams and ointments available over the counter. You don’t need to buy a product that’s specifically labeled for foot calluses. Any thick cream or ointment will do.
Urea creams and ointments come in many strengths. For calluses, you want a high-dose urea product. A cream or ointment with 30% to 50% urea will soften your callus.
Cover your feet with cotton socks after applying urea cream. This keeps the cream on your feet so it can do its work. Using urea cream every day will also make your pumice stone sessions more effective.
You shouldn’t use a urea cream if your calluses crack or peel. This will prevent you from irritating your skin.
3. Petroleum jelly
If you can’t use a urea cream or ointment because your calluses are cracked and peeling, try petroleum jelly instead. Petroleum jelly is a thick ointment that moisturizes and softens calluses. Vaseline and Aquaphor are popular petroleum jelly brands. In addition to petroleum jelly, Aquaphor also contains other moisturizers like lanolin and glycerin.
You can put petroleum jelly on your feet every day, just make sure to cover your feet with socks afterwards to keep the ointment in place and prevent slips and falls.
4. Salicylic acid pads
Salicylic acid also works by exfoliating calluses. Salicylic acid pads are soft cushions that come in many sizes. You can use them on larger calluses over your heels or on corns which are smaller calluses on top of your toes.
Look for 40% salicylic acid pads. These are available over the counter from many brands, including Curad and Dr. Scholls.
Place the pad over your callus and leave it on for 48 hours. When you take the pad off, you’ll notice that the callus looks white. Soak your feet and then gently pumice off some of that white skin. Apply a new pad and repeat the process for one week. At the end of the week, your calluses should feel smaller and smoother.
But, if you develop any redness or pain, stop using the pads right away.
5. Alpha hydroxy acid peels
Alpha hydroxy acids, like glycolic acid and lactic acid, work by exfoliating skin. Foot peels contain higher concentrations of alpha hydroxy acids. After using a foot peel, the top layer of a callus peels away. Softer layers remain and are less noticeable as well as easier to keep moisturized.
There’s several foot peels available over the counter. Most are labeled as “exfoliating foot peels.” To use these peels, first soak your feet for 20 to 30 minutes in warm water. Then apply the foot peel. You’ll leave it on for as long as the package recommends and then wash your feet with soap and water. It takes between 3 and 7 days for your feet to start peeling. Soaking your feet for 20 minutes a day can help the top layer of your callus separate more easily.
6. Shoe pads and inserts
People with hammertoes, claw toes, mallet toes, or bunions often develop calluses. This is because their toes rub against the inside of their shoes. Pads help relieve pressure around these areas. Shoe inserts cradle your heel so it doesn’t rub against the bottom of your shoe.
Pads and inserts won’t be able to soften or remove your callus. But they can protect your feet from new or returning calluses.
7. New shoes
Wearing the right shoes can keep your calluses from coming back or getting bigger. Wear shoes that avoid putting extra pressure on your forefoot and toes. This includes shoes with roomy toe boxes and shoes with low or no heels.
When should you seek medical care for a callus?
You should seek medical care for a callus if you have a medical condition that puts you at higher risk for foot injury or infection. Don’t try to treat your calluses at home if you have one of these conditions:
Diabetes
Peripheral artery disease
Peripheral neuropathy
You also shouldn’t try to treat your calluses at home if you have skin conditions that affect your feet like:
Dyshidrotic eczema
Athlete’s foot
Foot sores or wounds
At home callus treatments can worsen these conditions. Work with your healthcare provider to treat your calluses and avoid any side effects.
The bottom line
Calluses form when the skin tries to protect itself from pressure and rubbing. The best treatment for calluses is to remove whatever is causing friction on the skin. Often that means wearing shoes that fit better, or using padding or inserts. You can also slowly remove calluses at home using warm water soaks, gentle exfoliation with a pumice stone, and over-the-counter moisturizers. People who are at a high risk for foot injury or infection should see a healthcare provider before trying to treat a callus at home.
Why trust our experts?
Written by:
Christine Giordano, MD
Christine Giordano, MD, is board-certified in general internal medicine. She received her medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and completed residency at Thomas Jefferson University.
Edited by:
Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH
Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.
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References
American Podiatric Medical Association. (n.d.). Corns and calluses.
Baden, H. P. (1980). The pumice stone in dermatologic therapy. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
View All References (4)
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Buldt, A. K., et al. (2018). Incorrectly fitted footwear, foot pain and foot disorders: A systematic search and narrative review of the literature. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research.
MedlinePlus. (2016). Corns and calluses.
National Cancer Institute Dictionary of Cancer Terms. (n.d.). Hyperkeratosis.
Ngan, V. (2005). Urea. DermNet.
GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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