TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR CALLUSES
By Bethesda, MD & Springfield, VA Foot Doctor, Dr. Paul Ross Of The Podiatry Center
Though calluses usually aren’t painful, they can be unattractive and, for some, embarrassing. In the summer months, people like to wear open-toed shoes and sandals, and especially women want to look their best from head to toe.
There are a few things you can do to keep your feet healthy, moisturized, and beautiful, starting with home remedies that can help keep dry skin and calluses under control if the conditions are somewhat mild.
Warning: Do not try to remove your calluses by cutting or slicing them! You could injure your skin doing this and that could lead to infection. If you have diabetes, see your podiatrist immediately for any condition that develops on your feet.
Callus Treatment: Soak Your Feet
A foot soak once or twice a week isn’t just relaxing, it’s also good for your feet! It softens the skin and can help you manage your calluses and dry skin issues. Of course you can simply use warm, soapy water, but there are a few other natural things you can add for better results.
- Baking soda. Just three tablespoons in warm water helps soften dead skin.
- Chamomile tea. This softens dead skin and soothes calluses, but may stain slightly. Not to worry; stains are easily washed off.
- Epsom or bath salts. The salt exfoliates rough skin and the warm water softens.
It’s best to soak your feet for about 30 minutes two or three times a week. For even better foot care, use a pumice stone or foot file to begin working on the calluses after each soak. Don’t go overboard with filing, though; stressing the skin could make your calluses worse, so be gentle and work a little at a time over the course of about a month to get your feet into great shape.
For best results, use a foot lotion or dry skin lotion overnight to soften the skin on your feet and keep calluses away. Moisturize as much as you can! You can moisturize overnight with:
- Vaseline
- Bag Balm
- Coconut oil
Callus Treatment: Home Remedies for Callus Removal
There are some home remedies that may work to remove calluses all together, but they can get messy and require consistency. Also, if your calluses are cracked or bleeding, see your Bethesda, MD Foot Doctoror Springfield, VAFoot Doctorimmediately! We can help you avoid infection.
- Mix to make a paste:
- 5 crushed aspirin pills
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon water
Apply to callus, then cover with plastic wrap and a wet towel. Let sit for 30 minutes and rinse, dry, then use a pumice stone for gentle removal.
- Mix:
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon dried chamomile
- 1 clove crushed garlic
Apply to calluses once or twice a day until they disappear.
- Sprinkle salt and a few drops of lemon juice on an onion slice and tape it to your callus overnight for a week until the callus is gone.
- Soak a slice of bread in apple cider vinegar until it forms a paste. Apply it to your calluses and leave it on overnight (you can secure it with a bandage). Repeat every day until calluses disappear.
When To See aFoot Doctorin Bethesda, MD or Springfield, VA
Watch for the following symptoms:
- Calluses are hot to the touch
- Redness
- Swelling
- Cracking
- Bleeding
- Infection
If any of these begin, come see us immediately so we can make sure your condition is properly diagnosed and begin treatment. Whether your condition is mild or serious, it’s a good idea to see a specialist about your feet because they’re so important to everyday life. Give The Podiatry Center acall today at(301) 656-6055and let us put your feet first!
This information is not meant as medical advice. It is provided solely for education. Our practice would be pleased to discuss your unique circ*mstances and needs as they relate to these topics.
The Podiatry Centers treat all medical and surgical foot pain and ankle pain conditions. Licensed Bethesda, MD Foot Doctor, Dr. Paul Ross can help bring you foot pain and ankle pain relief.
Our Bethesda, Maryland (MD) and Springfield, Virginia (VA) Podiatry offices offer the most effective and state-of-the-art, quality podiatry care services with a smile to patients in our local community, including: Woodbridge VA, Fairfax VA, Annandale VA, Arlington VA, Alexandria VA, Burke VA, Gaithersburg MD, Potomac MD, Silver Spring MD, Rockville MD and Chevy Chase MD.
Return to a pain-free life and get back to the things you love!
