Wearing sandals and flip-flops during the summer means calluses for your feet. Ill-fitting shoes rub the same area over and over and eventually create a callus.
Once the callus has formed, additional layers may be added, making them painful. Removing the callus is the only way to make your foot look and feel good. Here are some ways to heal calluses.
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1. Warm water. The first line of defense, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, is to soak your foot in warm water to soften the callus. Let it soak for five to 10 minutes before trying to remove the callus. You can use an emery board or sandpaper that's designed for calluses after the soak.
2. Apple cider vinegar. If the warm water doesn't do enough to soften the skin, Healthline says you can add apple cider vinegar to the solution. Make it 4 parts water to 1 part vinegar. The vinegar acts as an additional softening agent.
3. Baking soda. A baking soda paste can be used to massage the callus. Howstuffworks advises adding just enough water to the baking soda to create a paste.
4. Castor oil. Healthline combines softening and moisturizing in one step by adding castor oil to the water before soaking. Add 5 tablespoons of castor oil to the warm water.
5. Pumice stone. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a pumice stone to remove the callus. Use it after you have soaked the callus to soften it first. The academy also recommends getting the stone wet in warm water before using. Rub with a circular motion.
6. Lemon juice. By combining lemon juice and aspirin, howstuffworks states that you get the benefit of acid going to work to soften the callus. Crush five or six aspirin and add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Apply the paste to your callus and wrap it in a plastic bag. Wait 10 minutes before using a pumice stone to scrape away the callus.
7. Moisturize. To both prevent and treat a callus, the American Academy fo Dermatology recommends moisturizing the area. Use a moisturizer that contains salicylic acid, urea or ammonium lactate for the best results.
8. Cushion. According to Reader's Digest Best Health, once you've removed the callus, you need to use cushioning on the area that forms the callus to keep it from returning. Wear cushioned socks and shoes with proper cushion and a good fit.
9. Vinegar. If you don't feel like soaking your feet, howstuffworks says you can soak a cotton ball in vinegar and tape it to the callus. Leave it on overnight to let it do its magic.
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Say goodbye to your calluses. These remedies may help you get rid of them quickly and keep them gone.