Corns and calluses. American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society. https://www.footcaremd.org/conditions-treatments/toes/corns-and-calluses. Accessed Feb. 16, 2022. The two most common ways to get rid of calluses on your feet, says Anne Sharkey, D.P.M., a podiatrist with the North Austin Foot and Ankle Institute in Texas, is through mechanical or chemical methods; while mechanical includes the use of foot files, foot “shavers,” and pumice stones, chemical methods involve applying topicals, like gels and creams, to induce shedding of skin layers. Whichever method you use, though, safety is key: Our experts agree that it’s generally best to go to a medical professional for proper removal of calluses—especially if you have diabetes, neuropathy, or skin conditions, which can put you at higher risk of infection. Epsom salt is regarded as an exfoliator. This treatment is especially helpful if you’re trying to relax after working with your hands and get rid of a callus at the same time. The fine grains of the salt dissolve to relax your muscles and soothe your skin. Mixing 2 to 3 tablespoons in a basin or bowl of warm water before soaking your callus may make it easier to peel off. A pumice stone can be especially handy when you have a callus on the bottom of your feet or on your elbows, where it’s hard to see. After soaking your callus thoroughly, apply the pressure of the pumice stone to your callus and rub in a circular motion. Don’t try to get the whole callus off at once. The idea is to rub the skin away over the course of a few applications of this remedy.

Gently apply pressure to the callus and see if you can rub off a layer of the callus or if it’s able to completely detach from your skin. If the callus is resistant to coming off, repeat the soaking or try another time. Never vigorously rub your skin with sandpaper. Tea tree oil Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch. But first, you should know that all of the dermatologists we spoke with agreed that if you’re dealing with severe calluses, your best plan of action is to head to a medical professional for a proper removal procedure. When it comes to removing layers of skin, safety is paramount — especially if you have diabetes or sensitive skin — and treating calluses with DIY removers has the potential to lead to infection if handled improperly.If you have no underlying health problems, try these suggestions to help clear up a corn or callus:

The acid content in apple cider vinegar can soften the hard skin of a callus. Mix together a solution of four parts water and one part apple cider vinegar and soak your callus for about 20 minutes. When you remove your skin from this soak, you may be able to better peel a layer or two of the callus off. Don’t pull too hard, and try to be patient. Breaking the skin around or on top of the callus can result in an infection. Castor oil This spray on formula provides an effective, instant softening treatment for calluses, toenails and cuticles, dry keratinized skin, hyperkeratosis and fissures/rhagades Charen DA, Markowitz JS, Cheung ZB, Matijakovich DJ, Chan JJ, Vulcano E. Overview of Metatarsalgia. Orthopedics. 2019;42(1):e138-e143. doi:10.3928/01477447-20181206-06

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: diabetes, poor blood circulation (such as peripheral vascular disease), skin infection/irritation. Shoe inserts. If you have an underlying foot deformity, your health care provider may prescribe custom-made padded shoe inserts (orthotics) to prevent recurring corns or calluses. Castor oil has properties that make it a natural skin lubricant. This can be helpful when you’re trying to condition your skin to rub a callus off. Soaking your callus in a warm water mixture with 5 tablespoons of castor oil should be enough to both lubricate the tough skin and soothe the affected area. Pumice stone

Boules M, Batayyah E, Froylich D, et al. Effect of Surgical Weight Loss on Plantar Fasciitis and Health-Care Use. J Am Podiatr Med Assoc. 2018;108(6):442-448. doi:10.7547/15-169 Tea tree oil is an antibacterial, antifungal, and natural antiseptic. Place a few drops of tea tree oil in a basin full of warm water, and soak your callus until you feel the skin begin to soften and lift. Don’t soak in this remedy for more than 15 minutes, as the tea tree oil is very strong and can damage your skin layer if you’re exposed to it for too long.Removal method: There are two main ways to remove dead skin: Manual and chemical. Manual exfoliation is the process of physically removing dead cells from the outer skin layer. "This could be accomplished using scrubs or abrasive materials like pumice stones, blades or sanding devices," he says. Just be careful not to overdo it, Dr. Zeichner advises. "Remember that calluses are there for a reason." Meanwhile, gels, masks, creams and peels fall under the category of chemical removal. "Chemical exfoliation uses hydroxyacids (like glycolic or lactic acids) to help dissolve connections between skin cells so they more easily can be shed," says Dr. Zeichner.