Overview

Corns and calluses are areas of thick, hard, dead skin. They form to protect the skin from injury. Corns usually form where toes rub together. Calluses often form on the hands or feet. They may form wherever the skin rubs against something, such as shoes.

In most cases, you can take steps at home to care for your child's corn or callus.

How can you care for your child at home?

• Have your child wear shoes and other footwear that fit correctly. This will reduce rubbing and give corns or calluses time to heal.
• Use protective pads, such as moleskin, to cushion the callus or corn.
• Soak the corn or callus in warm water, and then use a pumice stone to rub dead skin away.
• Use an over-the-counter callus-removing product, such as one that contains salicylic acid or urea. These products come in creams, ointments, gels, and patches. But if your child has a condition that causes problems with blood flow, such as diabetes, talk to your doctor before you try any home treatment.
• Wash your child's feet regularly, and rub lotion into your child's feet while they are still moist. Dry skin can cause a callus to crack and bleed.
• Never cut the corn or callus yourself, especially if your child has problems with blood flow to the legs or feet or problems with numbness or feeling in the feet.