But they do have two things in common: pressure and friction. Your feet are made to take a beating – the skin on the soles of your feet is 40 times thicker than anywhere else on your body. However, constant friction and stress can eventually lead to these uncomfortable eyesores. Figure out if what you have is a corn or a callus and then learn how to treat it and prevent future occurrences.
Do I have a callus or corn?
Most of us are familiar with calluses on our hands, especially if you play an instrument or sport. Calluses on the feet look the same; they’re just buildups of hardened skin that your body creates to protect itself from damage on the heel or ball of the foot. Thanks, body! Too bad they don’t look so cute in sandals. A corn looks like a callus, but it is located around the toe area, maybe even between your toes. Another difference between corns and calluses is that corns hurt while calluses do not. Corns have a hard center (also made of skin) that may press on a nerve and make walking a pain.
1. Treating Calluses and Corns at Home
If you would like to treat your callus at home, first make friends with your pumice stone. If you don’t have one, you can pick one up at the local drugstore. Hop in the shower or prepare a footbath and soak your foot for at least five minutes so that the tissue softens. Then rub it with the pumice stone but don't scrub so hard that it hurts. Be prepared for a multi-day process. Afterward, slather on a lanolin cream or petroleum jelly to soften the skin.