4 Ways to Smooth Out Calluses at Home
A vast majority of people prefer smooth sensations to rough. That’s why people wear things like satin instead of burlap and cotton instead of sandpaper. Even wool can be too much for people with sensitive skin. So rough calluses on your feet can be quite uncomfortable.
Fortunately, there are ways you can smooth out your calluses at home, using natural methods.
Calluses are patches of thickened skin that develop under excess pressure and friction over time. Too much pressure and friction damages skin, so your body naturally thickens the vulnerable area to prevent cuts, tears, and blisters. Unfortunately, calluses themselves can be uncomfortable, rough, and increase your risk for cracked skin. Smoothing them out can help alleviate their side effects.
Doing this at home can be fairly simple, too, though you do have to be careful. You don’t want to accidentally harm your foot. You shouldn’t try this if you have diabetes or another condition that increases your risk for ulcers. If you have healthy feet, however, here are a few ways to keep them smooth:
Oil and Vinegar soak – Mix equal parts castor oil and apple cider vinegar, then lightly heat it. When it’s comfortably warm, soak your feet in the mixture for 10 minutes. Rinse off the mix, then gently brush away the dead skin.
Natural foot scrub – Mix olive oil and sea salt together. (You can substitute the salt with sugar or cornmeal if you prefer.) Soften your feet with a warm foot bath, then lightly scrub your calluses with the natural mixture. Apply a pumice stone, then rinse your feet.
Pumice stone – You can simply use a pumice stone to lightly scrub calluses after a foot bath.
Over the counter salicylic acid – For severe calluses, you can get bandages, pads, or drops with mild salicylic acid. This breaks down the dead skin so it can be peeled away.
If you’re struggling with calluses, however, other factors may be affecting your feet. If you don’t take care of the root issue, you may have to repeatedly smooth out your calluses at home. Let the Gulf South Foot & Ankle, LLC team help you take care of your skin. Make an appointment at our Metairie, LA, offices to not just eliminate calluses, but find out why they’re forming and what you can do about it. Use our web forms or call (504) 708-4810 to reach us.