Foot soak to remove dead skin and calluses

How to remove calluses from the foot?

A normal person takes thousands and thousands of steps in his life. All these steps can severely strain the feet. Calluses are one of the symptoms of the feet that bear a lot of pressure. You can get rid of these calluses by taking care of the health of your feet by wearing the appropriate shoes and socks, as well as by soaking your feet and exfoliating them regularly. If you get into the constant habit of doing these operations regularly, you will even be able to prevent the formation of calluses.

Eliminate calluses at home:

1. Soak your feet regularly.

In case you have calluses, try soaking your feet regularly to soften dry and dead skin. It will be easier for you to remove dead skin by softening it with warm water and mild soap.

Use lukewarm water, not hot water. Too much hot water can dry the skin and irritate your feet.
If you have diabetes, you should wash your feet every day. Use warm water and soap, dry them thoroughly and moisturize them with cream, baby oil or petroleum jelly.

2. Eliminate calluses with a pumice stone or a special foot file.

After soaking your feet or after showering or bathing, use a pumice stone, a foot file and a nail file to remove excess dead skin from calluses.

Pumice stones and foot files work best if you moisten them with warm water before using them.
If you don’t have a pumice stone, foot file, or nail file, you can also use a washcloth to remove dead skin.
Once you’ve rubbed the foot, apply a layer of moisturizer to keep the skin soft and supple.
If you have diabetes, consult your doctor before using a pumice stone.

3. Protect certain parts of your feet.

Calluses develop in areas of the foot that rub against shoes and socks while you are walking. You may find that some socks make the problem worse. You must find shoes that fit you well and do not cause calluses, but it is also possible to use compresses sold without a prescription to protect the feet.

These compresses are available in different sizes and shapes designed for the different areas of your foot. Still, there are also larger ones that you can cut to give them the shape you want.
Some of these compresses contain an active ingredient. However, you should avoid them unless your doctor advises you to use them.

4. Make an appointment with your doctor.

If you have calluses that have become extremely painful or swollen, you should consider making an appointment with your doctor to discuss the best solution.

Your doctor has special types of equipment for cutting excess skin around the calluses. You should never do it at home.
Your doctor may also suggest or prescribe an antibiotic ointment (such as Polysporin) that you can use on infected calluses or on calluses that may become infected.

5. Use callus medications.

There are several medicines that your doctor could suggest for you to get rid of calluses.

You can use small compresses that contain 40% salicylic acid directly on the calluses to soften the skin to remove it more easily. Anyone can purchase these compresses without a prescription in pharmacies. If your doctor does not give you instructions on how to use them, or how often to use them, follow the instructions that appear on the dosage.
A prescription of salicylic acid gel is also available for larger areas that compresses cannot cover.
You should only use salicylic acid following the advice of your doctor. Since it is an acid, it can cause irritation or burn your skin, which can then cause infection. Your doctor will tell you what products you can use, how you should use them, and how much you will use. We must use strictly follow the given instructions.

6. Get custom orthotics for your shoes.

The formation of calluses can also be the result of a deformation of the foot. The deformation may be minor, but it may be sufficient to cause excessive friction on certain parts of the foot against the inside of the shoe. Custom-made orthotics can help you deal with a foot deformity and reduce the risk of developing calluses.

Take good care of your feet:

1. Choose the right shoes.

By purchasing and wearing appropriate shoes, you will be able to avoid calluses that can form on your feet. There are several details you should watch out for when buying new shoes, here are a few.

Make sure the seller measures both of your feet. One of your feet may be wider than the other, as in most people. You should choose a pair of shoes that fit your tallest foot.
Choose your shoes as late as possible. During the day, your feet swell, and you should choose your shoes based on the size of your swollen feet. It ensures that you find shoes large enough to put your swollen feet in and that will not become less pleasant as the day goes on.
Buy shoes based on how you feel when you have them on your feet, even if the official shoe size isn’t what you usually buy.
Although it may seem obvious, buy shoes that are good in shape. Many “fashionable” shoes with bizarre shapes can injure your feet and cause calluses.
Whenever you try new shoes, make sure your entire foot feels comfortable in the shoe, from the tips of your toes to your heels and your arch.
Leave at least half a centimeter of space between the shoe and the tip of the big toe.

2. Keep your feet dry.

Socks can be as important as shoes to prevent calluses and keep your feet healthy. Cotton or natural fiber shoes are the best type of sock to keep your feet dry in your shoes. It is all the more important if you practice physical activities where you sweat more than usual.

Make sure to let your shoes dry before wearing them, never wear wet shoes.
Avoid wearing the same socks for two days in a row if possible, especially if they get wet or you sweat.
In case your socks get wet, change them as soon as possible.
Remember to wash your feet every day, including between your toes. Also, once you have washed your feet, be sure to dry them thoroughly before putting on socks.
Also, consider wearing flip flops or sandals when walking around the pool or even if you take a shower in a public place.

3. Hydrate your feet every day.

Calluses form due to the friction of your foot against socks and shoes. You can prevent this friction and treat the calluses already present by taking care of your skin. It is even more important to keep the skin on your feet hydrated and soft during the winter when the air is colder and therefore drier.

Do not put a moisturizer before walking barefoot, as it could be dangerous!
Develop a habit of applying a moisturizer to your feet just before going to bed.
Take the chance to get a foot massage while you apply the moisturizer. You will feel better while improving the blood circulation in your feet.
If possible, buy and use moisturizers designed for the feet.

4. Avoid the horns.

Horns are calluses that form on the toes instead of other parts of the foot. The horns are generally the result of the tips of the toes which rub against the inside of the shoe. It can be caused by shoes that are too small at the toes or by high heels which force the foot to descend into the shoe due to gravity.

Remove and prevent horns using the same methods you used for calluses, but make an appointment with the doctor if the horns become too severe and too painful.

5. Elevate your feet.

It is necessary to let your feet rest regularly. Your feet need to take a break from stress, just like the rest of your body. Also, if you tend to sit cross-legged, occasionally change the leg on top to improve circulation in your legs.

Try other ways to pamper your feet:

1. Soak your feet in lemon juice.

The acid in lemon juice is very useful in softening and eliminating calluses. Soak your feet in lemon juice for 10 minutes before exfoliating your feet with a pumice stone or foot file.

Even if you can find razors for feet in pharmacies, it is generally not recommended to do so. You could easily cut your skin on foot, which could then become infected.

2. Make your cracked skin cream on your heels.

The heel is one of the parts of the foot most likely to be covered with calluses. You can help your heels (and the rest of your foot) stay soft and hydrated by making a heel crevice cream at home. You just need a spoonful of olive oil in a small bottle to which you will make an addition of a few drops of lavender essential oil or lemon. Shake the bottle well until the liquid becomes more solid and milky before applying it to your feet and in particular to your heels.

You can prepare this cream and keep it for later as long as you don’t forget to shake the bottle before using it.

3. Apply oil to your feet before bed.

The best time to hydrate your feet is right before bed. You can also hydrate your feet with other products than those you buy in stores. It is, for example, possible to hydrate them with vegetable oil. Apply a layer of vegetable oil on your feet before going to bed and put on a pair of socks. Leave the socks in place overnight and wipe off the excess oil in the morning.

Vegetable oils can leave stains on fabrics, including socks and sheets. In this case, try to favor woolen socks, because the wool will absorb the oil and will not stain. If you cannot use woolen socks (for example, because it is too hot), replace them with an old pair of socks.

4. Prepare your foot mask to apply in the evening.

Masks can help you care for your face, hands and hair, but also your feet! It’s easy to prepare your own at home: mix a tsp of petroleum jelly (or a similar product) and the juice of a lemon. Mix the two ingredients in a bowl and apply the mixture on your clean feet before bed. Wear a pair of socks overnight and wipe off excess petroleum jelly with a towel when you wake up in the morning.

Use a pair of old socks so you don’t worry about stains that petroleum jelly might leave on the socks or the sheets.

5. Try paraffin wax to hydrate the feet.

Estheticians often use paraffin during pedicures, but you can also use it at home. Simply melt it in the microwave and add an equal amount of mustard oil to it once the paraffin is liquid. It is mustard oil that will hydrate your feet. Soak each of your feet twice in the paraffin bowl (once it is warm), waiting long enough between each application for the paraffin to dry. Then wrap your foot in plastic wrap for 15 minutes. Remove the plastic film and the paraffin at the same time.

Prevention of calluses of the feet:

Do not try to wear shoes that make you uncomfortable, even if they are beautiful. In particular, avoid wearing shoes with strong points of support: high-heeled shoes, pointed shoes, etc.
Use soft, smooth 100% cotton socks.
Do not forget to add vitamins E and C in your daily meals to maintain the smoothness of your skin.

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