Search this site Search Home Page
Search Tips

members Home
Gray R. Williams, DPM 

Homecare for Calluses and Warts

Warning: Never use corn or wart removers if you have diabetes, a loss of sensation, or problems with circulation.

Corns, calluses and warts all cause thickening of the outer layer of the skin. This hard tissue can cause quite a bit of pain so routine removal is often the only thing that is needed to get the relief you need. In addition removing the source of pressure from calluses and corns is also critical; shoes that are shaped like your foot, have less than an inch of heel and made with soft materials are recommended.

A Pumice Stone or Dr. Scholl's Callus File can be purchased at most drug stores and are very effective at shaving down extra callus tissue. Moisturize the area with Vaseline before bedtime, put on a cotton sock (to keep your sheets clean) and then use the stone or file in the morning. Expect that the callus will continue to form and that you will need to repeat the process weekly.

For patients that do not have diabetes, nerve or circulation problems, liquid wart remover (like Compound W) can be used to help remove warts or calluses with deep cores. Right before bedtime apply the liquid to the effected skin and cover it with a plastic Bandaid. Repeat the process another night if needed so the effected skin turns white and soft. At this point it is ready to be picked out - try the corner of a nail clipper. Once you have removed as much of the soft skin as possible, let it dry out for a few days. Once there is no more white tissue, repeat the process. Expect to repeat the process routinely; the formation of the thick skin will slow but may always form.

 


Disclaimer
If you think you have a MEDICAL OR PSYCHIATRIC EMERGENCY, CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY or go to the nearest hospital. DO NOT attempt to access emergency care through this web site. An emergency medical condition is a medical or psychiatric condition that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such that you could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in any of the following: serious jeopardy to your health, serious impairment to your bodily functions, or serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or part. An emergency medical condition is also "active labor," which means a labor when there is inadequate time for safe transfer to a Plan hospital (or designated hospital) before delivery or if a transfer poses a threat to the health of the member or unborn child.

This site may contain links to other web sites outside of www.permanente.net. Kaiser Permanente has no control over the content or the availability of these sites, and is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of such Web sites. Web links are provided as an educational tool, and should not be relied upon for personal diagnosis or treatment. A link or reference to a web site should not be construed as an endorsement of the site or its contents. Any medical content that you feel may be important to your health should always be discussed with your Kaiser Permanente physician.