What is a callus?

Calluses are thick, hardened layers of skin that can form on your feet and toes as a response to excessive friction and pressure.

Calluses vs. Corns

Corns and calluses are not the same thing. Both involve the skin trying to protect itself from friction or pressure by thickening and hardening, but corns are smaller and deeper than calluses, and have a hard center that can become painful. Calluses are not typically painful and often form on the heels and balls of the feet whereas corns are more often found on the top or outer edge of your toes.

Symptoms of calluses

Signs and symptoms of calluses include:

• Thick, rough area of skin
• Hardened, raised bump
• Tenderness or pain
• Flaky, dry, or waxy skin

What causes calluses?

Calluses form as a response to repeated friction and pressure. Some things that can create this friction and pressure include:

• Wearing shoes that don’t fit properly: Shoes that are too small or tight can put a strain on your feet. Shoes that are too big or loose can also be a problem as your foot may slide and rub against the shoe, or an interior seam or stitch.
• Not wearing socks: Repeatedly wearing shoes without socks can expose your feet to increased amounts of friction.
• Long periods of physical activity: Walking, running, and even standing for long periods of time can expose your feet to great amounts of pressure and friction.

Risk factors

Factors that can increase your risk of developing calluses include:

• Wearing shoes that increase pressure or friction on your feet, such as high heels
• Poor foot hygiene
• Obesity or carrying excess body weight
• Age-related changes, such as the skins natural loss of moisture and elasticity over time
• Genetics or having a family history of developing corns or calluses

How to prevent calluses

Some ways to help prevent the formation of calluses include:

• Wear shoes that are supportive, comfortable, and fit well: Shoes should well-cushioned and absorb shock in all the right places. They shouldn’t be too loose or too tight, and should give your toes plenty of room.
• Use inserts or custom insoles: If you’re prone to calluses, it can help to use shoe inserts or custom insoles for extra cushion, padding, and support.
• Inspect and clean feet daily: Practice good foot hygiene by washing your feet daily, drying them thoroughly, and applying moisturizer. Daily inspections can also help to ensure you catch any calluses that may be starting to form early.

Treatment for calluses

Treatments for calluses can vary based on symptoms and severity, and may include:

• Removing the excess skin: Unless the callus becomes very painful or inflamed, you can remove excess skin at home by soaking the affected area in warm water to soften the skin and using a pumice stone or emery board to gently remove any buildup
• Medicated patches: Your health care provider may recommend using a non-prescription, medicated patch, like Clear Away or MediPlast

Care tips for calluses

Some other callus care tips include:

• Use adhesive pads: Donut-shaped adhesive pads can be found at most drugstores and can help provide extra padding to relieve tenderness and protect calluses from further irritation
• Keep toenails trimmed: Long toenails can cause your toes to be pushed against the top of your shoes, increasing the amount of pressure and friction on your feet
• Apply a cold pack: Icing or applying a cold pack to the affected area for 10-20 minutes at a time can help reduce swelling, pain, and tenderness

Is surgery needed to treat calluses?

Most calluses can be treated without surgery, but your podiatrist may consider it if you have a structural deformity in your foot or toes that’s causing calluses to form. In these cases, surgery may be required to remove or realign bone tissue. Surgery may also be considered if a callus is causing you extreme pain, preventing you from walking normally or comfortably, or if linked to reoccurring infections or more serious wounds.

Can calluses come back after they’ve healed?

Yes, calluses can continue to form after they’ve been treated or healed, especially if the source of friction or pressure hasn’t been properly addressed, such as if you continue to wear shoes that don’t fit properly. However, calluses are often manageable and can be treated at home.

When should I see a podiatrist if I have a callus?

Calluses can often be treated at home, but you should see a podiatrist if:

• You have diabetes: Diabetes can lead to numbness, lack of feeling in your feet, or peripheral neuropathy. This can make it difficult to detect pain. Having poor circulation as a result of diabetes can also make healing more difficult, increasing the possibility that calluses could become infected.
• You have other underlying conditions: Other underlying diseases and conditions can increase your risk of infection. You should also consider seeing a podiatrist if you have extremely delicate or sensitive skin.
• At-home treatments aren’t working: If what you’re doing at home to treat your callus doesn’t seem to be working, you may want to consider seeing a health care provider who can assess the problem and recommend other treatments.
• You suspect you have abnormal bone structure: If you seem to be prone to calluses, you may have abnormal bone structure or alignment issues, which should be assessed by a podiatrist.
• You’re feeling extreme pain or discomfort: You should see a doctor about a callus if you’re feeling extreme pain or discomfort when walking or notice signs of an infection, such as redness or swelling.