Calluses can be thick, hard, and painful.
Calluses can be thick, hard, and painful.
This image displays a callus that has been treated with silver nitrate.
This image displays a callus that has been treated with silver nitrate.
This image displays calluses at the tops of both great toes as well as toenail changes from repeated pressure.
This image displays calluses at the tops of both great toes as well as toenail changes from repeated pressure.
This image displays calluses on the palms from work involving friction to these areas.
This image displays calluses on the palms from work involving friction to these areas.
Calluses develop wherever the skin is exposed repeatedly to pressure or friction, as displayed on these hands.
Calluses develop wherever the skin is exposed repeatedly to pressure or friction, as displayed on these hands.
This image displays callus areas of the upper toes, which are darker in this Black patient.
This image displays callus areas of the upper toes, which are darker in this Black patient.

Images of Callus (6)

Calluses can be thick, hard, and painful.
This image displays a callus that has been treated with silver nitrate.
This image displays calluses at the tops of both great toes as well as toenail changes from repeated pressure.
This image displays calluses on the palms from work involving friction to these areas.
Calluses develop wherever the skin is exposed repeatedly to pressure or friction, as displayed on these hands.
This image displays callus areas of the upper toes, which are darker in this Black patient.

Callus

A callus is skin thickening that occurs in response to excessive, repeated force on the skin, commonly due to constant pressure, rubbing, or friction. Certain deformities of the feet, such as crooked toes, may predispose a person to calluses. Calluses may be painful.



Who's At Risk?

Calluses may occur in nearly anyone. Those who stand for long periods or who wear ill-fitting shoes are most commonly affected. They are also especially common in older individuals.

Signs & Symptoms

Calluses are most frequently located on the feet and sometimes on the hands. They are usually located on the skin over bony prominences, such as on the heels or balls of the feet or knuckles on the hands or feet.

Self-Care Guidelines

  • Try to avoid the repetitive forces causing calluses, such as by wearing comfortable shoes that fit well. Make sure there is plenty of room in the toe box.
  • Callus cushions (eg, Dr. Scholl’s Callus Cushions) can help soften the thickened skin and cushion the area from the force and pressure that causes calluses.
  • Products containing salicylic acid (eg, Dr. Scholl’s Liquid Corn & Callus Remover) can be applied to affected areas.
  • Gentle paring with an emery board or a pumice stone may help to decrease the thickened skin of the callus. A soft fabric, such as felt, should be applied after paring to protect the underlying skin.
  • Shoe pads that go inside the shoes (eg, Dr. Scholl’s step insoles) can be used to help relieve the pressure so foot calluses can heal.

Treatments

Your medical professional may:

  • Pare the callus with a scalpel.
  • Prescribe a topical medication such as salicylic acid or trichloroacetic acid to help dissolve the thickened skin.
  • Refer you to a podiatrist, a medical professional specializing in foot care.

Visit Urgency

Calluses do not require medical intervention, but seek evaluation if they become bothersome. In particular, individuals with diabetes should pay careful attention to their feet given the risk of developing diabetic ulcers on the feet.

Trusted Links

References

Bolognia J, Schaffer JV, Cerroni L. Dermatology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018.

James WD, Elston D, Treat JR, Rosenbach MA. Andrew’s Diseases of the Skin. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019.

Kang S, Amagai M, Bruckner AL, et al. Fitzpatrick’s Dermatology. 9th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education; 2019.

Paller A, Mancini A. Paller and Mancini: Hurwitz Clinical Pediatric Dermatology. 6th ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2022.

Disease Groups: Common Foot Problems, Skin Problems Related to Obesity

Last modified on June 30th, 2023 at 5:30 pm

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