How to get rid of dry calluses on the toes: means, plasters, ointments

It is much more reasonable to start treating various skin growths while they are still just a cosmetic defect and do not hurt. Especially since there are many options today. Studying information on how to remove a dry callus on the foot using pharmacy products and home treatment, we have compiled a list of drugs from different groups suitable for this:

• Creams and ointments for dry calluses on the feet based on acids, which soften rough skin and promote its regeneration.
  • The main active ingredient is salicylic acid (salicylic ointment, zinc-salicylic paste, sulfur-salicylic ointment, creams "Nemozol", "Mozolin" and "Namozol 911", paste "5 days", heel cream for calluses "Stoletnik", etc.). Among liquid preparations, it is worth noting the callus tincture from Gevor, the solution "Duofilm", etc. Under the influence of salicylic acid, drying, destruction and exfoliation of the horny layer of the callus occurs. In addition, it is considered a good antiseptic. Which prevents inflammation during treatment. Additional components of callus remedies have a softening, antiseptic, and some even fungicidal effect.
  • The active substance is salicylic and/or lactic acid (creams "Kollomac", "Effect" softening for feet by "Svoboda", "Super Anti-Callus", foot cream for calluses and corns "Green Pharmacy", solution "Solcoderm"). The effect of these creams is less aggressive, but they also solve the problem of how to get rid of dry calluses well.
• Dry callus remedies on the feet based on alkalis (potassium and/or sodium hydroxide): "SuperChistotel", "SuperChistotel" in liquid and pencil form. These remedies dry out and burn out pathological growths on the skin, but their action is very aggressive and can leave scars on the body.
• Remedies for dry calluses with urea (cream "Natural Help", cream-paste "Vartox", cream-compress from Faberlic, cream "Sophia" with leech extract and urea, cream "Lekar" for calluses and corns, etc.).
• Products with celandine extract (celandine extract and juice, cosmetic liquids “Stopmozol” and “Mozol Ka” with celandine extract, “Mountain celandine” balm).
• If there is no time to treat a callus, and the question arises of how to quickly remove a callus at home, it is worth paying attention to the cauterizing agents for calluses with the active substance phenol or podophyllotoxin (Ferezol, Verucacid, Condyline).
• For quick removal of dry calluses by freezing (cryodestruction), use Wartner Cryo and Cryopharma aerosols.
• Removal of old calluses by deep peeling can be done using the Wartner applicator pen.
• Plasters (adhesive plasters) for dry calluses on the feet:
  • Comped plaster (Comped) 3 types: from dry calluses between the toes, plantar from corns and from dry calluses and corns on the feet. Made on the basis of a special hydrogel, which softens the callus, promotes its rapid removal and healing of the wound, acting as a second skin.
  • Corn plaster "Mozolin" based on salicylic acid and sulfur. Has a pronounced keratolotic effect.
  • Salipod patch (analogous to Mozolin in composition and action).
  • Corn plaster "Multiplast", which in addition to sulfur and salicylic acid contains dimexide, which promotes deeper penetration of the drug into the keratinized layers of the skin.
  • URGOKOR corn based on wax, macrogol and other components that provide the patch with keratolytic properties, i.e. help soften and remove dry calluses on the feet.
  • LeukoCall Plaster, which helps both soften and remove dry calluses.

These and many other products, which can be purchased in pharmacies, cosmetics stores, from distributors, help to get rid of unsightly and painful growths more or less quickly. At the same time, many people prefer solutions, creams and patches based on salicylic acid, which acts quickly and reliably. Moreover, the cost of drugs that contain salicylic acid is relatively low. Not everyone is ready to part with a large sum of money to treat a harmless neoplasm, for example, to buy a patch with hydrogel or a product from Faberlic or Avon.

But it is important to understand that no expensive remedy for corns will give the expected effect if you do not eliminate the source of pressure or friction of the foot tissues. It is impossible to cure a corn if you continue to wear sandals with rubbing straps or shoes with a thin sole through which you can feel all the stones.

However, if a callus has already appeared, any closed shoes will be violence against it, because they will additionally rub and press on the sore spot. In this case, it is recommended to purchase silicone (or gel) shoe inserts, which will help reduce trauma to the growth during treatment, and in the future can be used as a preventive measure against the appearance of new calluses.

Do not forget that before treating shoe calluses at home, you need to clarify the type of neoplasm. And only a specialist can do this. The fact is that the treatment of calluses formed against the background of the activation of a viral and fungal infection (core callus) with the above-described means may not have a lasting effect if local immunity is not increased and the growth of pathogenic microflora is not suppressed.

To combat a fungal infection that has resisted the power of salicylic acid with its inherent fungicidal action, more powerful agents with antifungal activity are used (ointments "Clotrimazole", "Exoderil", "Lamisil", etc.), and only after the fungus is inactivated, it makes sense to start removing the callus. To combat viruses, "Oxolinic ointment", "Panavir" gel, "Vartox" paste are used, which inhibit the division of virus cells, thereby stopping its reproduction.

All these remedies can be safely used in combination with anti-callus medications, thereby making the treatment of dry calluses with a core more effective.

Effective means and their use

Above we listed some of the existing pharmaceutical and cosmetic products that can be used to treat dry calluses on the feet. Now let's look at how to use the most popular and effective of them.

Let's start with medicinal and cosmetic products based on acids, which are most often used to remove dry calluses at home.

"Kollomac" is a pharmaceutical preparation that contains salicylic and lactic acid, as well as polidocanol, which provides protein denaturation and local anesthesia of the callus. This composition of the drug provides it with effects useful for the treatment of hard calluses: keratolytic (softening of the stratum corneum and facilitating its exfoliation), disinfectant (salicylic acid is a powerful antiseptic capable of fighting both bacteria and fungi), and painkiller.

The drug is used to treat various types of calluses, including corns and hyperkeratosis.

"Kollomac" is an external solution that is applied to the callus once or twice a day. For a single application, 1 drop of the product is sufficient, which is quickly absorbed and dries. In most cases, treatment lasts 3-4 days.

Before applying the solution to the callus, it is recommended to steam the foot to facilitate the penetration of active substances into the tissues of the foot. The peeling areas of the callus should be periodically cleaned off with a pumice stone or a special foot brush after a warm foot bath.

If there are a lot of calluses, you need to take into account that no more than 10 ml of the drug (1 bottle) can be used per day.

This drug can be used to treat calluses in children over 2 years old, but the maximum daily dose in this case will be 10 times less - 1 ml. Doctors do not recommend treating several calluses at the same time.

To remove calluses, the drug is approved for use during pregnancy and lactation, but it cannot be applied to large areas of skin.

The drug should not be used in case of hypersensitivity to salicylates or any components of the drug, as well as in case of severe renal dysfunction. It is not intended for the treatment of children under 2 years of age. In childhood, it is not recommended for use if the child is sick or has recently had viral diseases.

Among the side effects, it is worth paying attention to possible allergic manifestations and intolerance reactions to the drug, which manifest themselves in the form of redness, itching and swelling of tissues. If the drug gets on healthy skin, a burning sensation, dryness and peeling of the skin, and the development of contact dermatitis are possible.

"Mozolin" is a cosmetic product based on salicylic and benzoic acids with the addition of Vaseline and lemon essential oil. Acids soften the corneal layer of the callus and make it looser, Vaseline provides additional softening and protection of the skin, and lemon oil nourishes the skin, increases local immunity and thus prevents the recurrence of core growths. This product is specially designed to remove dry calluses and corns, so it comes with clear instructions for use.

The product should be applied to the callus, which is then covered with a gauze napkin. The structure is attached to the foot with a plaster so that it does not move for 6-8 hours, which is necessary for the drug to have the stated effect. After this time, the gauze and the plaster are removed and the softened tissues are scraped off.

The number of procedures depends on the size of the callus and the depth of its penetration into soft tissues. 1-2 procedures are enough to remove corns, and several days may be needed to combat core calluses.

The manufacturer does not specify any contraindications for this product, so it remains to be assumed that it may only pose a danger to people with hypersensitivity to its components, which may result in local irritation.

"Vartox" is a paste used to remove warts on the sole of the foot. And since it is believed that such neoplasms, like core calluses, appear when viruses (in particular, the human papilloma virus) enter the body, the product is quite applicable for treating this form of dry calluses on the feet.

Vartoks paste is an inexpensive product with keratolytic and antiviral action. Its softening and exfoliating action is provided by urea, which is considered an exfoliant. Thanks to its microscopic molecules, the substance is able to penetrate to a greater depth, breaking the bonds between the particles of the keratinized layer. As a result, the callus tissue becomes looser and softer, which allows for easy exfoliation. Moreover, urea also has an antiseptic effect, helping to fight bacteria and fungi that have settled on the skin.

Another active ingredient in the paste is glycyrrhizic acid, which has the ability to inhibit the proliferation of viruses that affect the formation and progression of dry calluses with a core.

Before applying the paste to the callus, the growth must first be steamed and the softened tissues cut off with scissors (scraped off with pumice). The medicinal composition is applied to the remaining tissues of the callus and covered with a piece of napkin or cotton pad, after which it is well sealed with adhesive tape so that the bandage does not move on the skin.

The bandage should be on the skin for 24 hours. It is not advisable to wet it, so that the paste does not dissolve. After 24 hours, remove the structure, wash the callus with soap and warm water, then remove the swollen tissue and apply the paste again.

Removing medium-sized corns and warts requires 2 to 5 treatments. Removing larger growths may take longer.

There are no contraindications for the use of this product. There is no mention of side effects either. It is only said that the treatment is painless, so the paste is often used to treat children who do not like aggressive products that cause burning and cauterizing hardware procedures. It is also perfect for treating expectant mothers.

"Verrukatsid" is a pharmaceutical preparation in the form of a solution based on phenol, which has a cauterizing and necrotizing effect, and metacresol, a substance with an antibacterial effect that can accelerate the healing of the wound at the site of the callus. Due to the high coagulation capabilities of phenol, the hyperkeratosis area (dry callus) peels off from the rest of the tissue and necrotizes, which allows it to be easily removed from the remaining depression. At the same time, viruses that have become active in the callus area also die. And metacresol will help tighten the depression formed after the callus is removed and prevent its infection.

"Verrukatsid" is an extremely aggressive product that can only be used externally and only on pathologically altered areas, trying to avoid the solution getting on the delicate tissues around the callus to avoid a burn. The bottle with the product is equipped with a special applicator, with which the product can be safely applied to calluses and warts, although if desired, you can use a wooden stick.

To quickly remove corns and dry calluses on the feet, first apply any ointment with a softening and exfoliating effect (based on urea or acids), cover the growth with a film or compress paper and leave for several hours. After removing the compress, steam the corn for a quarter of an hour and remove the softened tissues with pumice.

Before applying Verukacid, the callus is dried. Removing a dry callus usually requires up to 4 applications with short intervals (up to 5 minutes) necessary for the solution to dry and be absorbed.

Since the aggressive solution is dangerous for healthy tissues around the callus, it is recommended to lubricate them with a protective cream beforehand. Zinc paste is ideal for this purpose.

The drug "Verukatsid" is not used in case of hypersensitivity to phenol and its other components. Do not use on large areas with calluses. Children are allowed to use this product from the age of 7, although they are unlikely to like this treatment. Pregnant women and nursing mothers can use the drug to remove dry warts on the feet, because the product does not penetrate the blood, breast milk and through the placental barrier.

The use of the drug may be accompanied by the development of allergic reactions and swelling of the tissue around the callus. If the product gets on healthy skin, it is accompanied by a tissue burn, which is indicated by a burning sensation and redness of the damaged area. In this case, you need to carefully remove the product with a soft cloth and wipe the burn site with an alcohol-containing antiseptic, lotion, cologne, vodka with an alcohol content of no more than 40%. Then the wound is washed with warm water and soap, after which any wound-healing cream or burn remedy (ideally "Panthenol") should be applied to it.

The Warner applicator pen is a very strong product used to remove old calluses that have grown deep into soft tissues. Its active ingredient is trichloroacetic acid, which is considered a very strong reagent and a fairly toxic substance. And given that the product contains a high concentration of trichloroacetic acid, it is recommended to treat only small areas of skin with hyperkeratosis.

The applicator pen contains a concentrated gel that can consistently exfoliate even the roughest areas of keratinized skin, removing the core along with the callus. At the same time, according to the manufacturer, new healthy skin begins to form almost immediately in place of the callus.

Before using the product, it is recommended to steam the callus for 5-10 minutes, remove the softened tissue with a pumice stone or file and wipe the limb dry. A thick cream should be applied to the healthy skin around the callus, which is necessary to protect it from the aggressive effects of the active substance.

Turn the pen tip down and start slowly turning the cap at the top clockwise. After 3-4 seconds, the gel will go down the applicator. Apply the product pointwise to the callus tissue, trying not to get it on healthy skin. Wait about 15 minutes for the product to dry properly, after which you can put on your shoes.

To remove old calluses, only 4 daily procedures are required. During the next 4-5 days, active peeling of rough callus tissues will occur, which are easily removed under running water.

If the effect is insufficient, the course of treatment can be repeated after 4 days. There can be no more than four such courses in total.

If the product accidentally gets on healthy skin, the foot should be washed with plenty of water and soap. Do not apply a thick layer of gel so that it does not get on adjacent areas and cause inflammation. Aggressive gel can damage not only the skin, but also clothing fabrics, furniture upholstery, jewelry, so you need to use the product with extreme caution.

The product is not intended for use in children under 4 years of age. It is not recommended to use it together with other callus remedies, and it is recommended to protect the skin from direct sunlight after applying the gel. Pregnant women, nursing mothers and patients with diabetes should consult their doctor before using Wartner.

Side effects of the drug include burning and the development of inflammatory reactions at the site of application. To avoid this, you need to protect healthy skin and not apply the product to areas of the skin with redness, irritation, wounds, especially infected ones.

Wartner Cryo Aerosol is another product from the Dutch company Wartner, designed to remove unsightly growths on the skin, which helps remove dry calluses on the feet by cryodestruction (freezing). Moreover, for this, you do not need to visit expensive clinics and salons where such procedures are performed.

The active substance of the aerosol is a mixture of dimethyl alcohol and propane, which does not harm the environment, but is easily flammable, so it should be used away from fire in a ventilated area to avoid inhaling vapors.

In the package we find an aerosol, a reusable holder and 12 disposable applicators, a file for removing calluses and instructions for using the product.

Preparation for the procedure. First, take the applicator in your hand and squeeze its blue part. A small hole should appear at the end, where we now insert the holder rod. Now this structure is immersed with the applicator down into the upper part of the cylinder until the applicator disappears from sight. Now, for three seconds, press hard on the holder to pump the refrigerant into the applicator. This action will be accompanied by a hissing sound, which should not be frightening.

Next, remove the holder with the applicator from the aerosol and wait 20 seconds until the coolant temperature drops low enough. Now you can apply the applicator to the callus, gently pressing on the holder. It may take 35-40 seconds to destroy a hard callus, during which time you need to ensure tight contact between the applicator and the skin.

After the procedure, after a couple of minutes, you can remove the applicator from the holder, using hand protection.

The callus peels off within 2 weeks. If the result is insufficient, the procedure can be repeated after this time. Usually 1-3 treatments are enough. For the treatment to be more effective, before using the aerosol, it is recommended to steam the callus and remove the top layer with the included nail file. After the procedure, it is recommended to stick a plaster on the frozen callus, which will prevent infection from entering the wound.

During and after the procedure, you may feel a burning sensation and discomfort in the area of the callus, which is considered normal for a low-temperature procedure. For each subsequent cryotherapy session, you need to take a new applicator, and dispose of the used one.

The product is approved for use from the age of 4, but cryodestruction should only be performed on adults. Pregnant women, nursing mothers, people suffering from diabetes and circulatory disorders can try on "Wartner Cryo" only with the permission of a doctor and with great caution.

A little information for those who prefer treatment with home-made medicines. In order to make an effective medicine for dry calluses, it is enough to stock up on distilled water and alkali metal hydroxide (potassium, sodium, calcium). For 100 g of distilled water, you will need to take 3 grams of potassium hydroxide. If you use sodium or calcium hydroxide, take 28 and 18 g, respectively.

Mix the dry substance crystals in a ceramic container thoroughly in distilled water until they are completely dissolved. Pour the solution into a dark glass bottle and seal with a lid.

Now all that remains is to lubricate the callus with the prepared composition once a day for three days. Under its influence, the callus tissues lose fluid, dry out and fall off. At the same time, the skin quickly recovers even on the delicate areas between the fingers. The treatment is without inflammation and discomfort, does not harm health, so it can be used even for small children.

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How to make treatment more effective?

As we can see, no matter what remedy for removing dry calluses on the feet you take, in order for the treatment to be effective, there is a general requirement - preliminary steaming of the callus and removal of keratinized areas (as much as possible). Such a procedure allows you to increase the permeability of the callus tissue for drugs. This means that fewer applications of the drug will be required to completely remove the painful and very uncomfortable growth.

But what is steaming and what is the best way to do it at home? Steaming a callus is actually a practice of foot baths with water that is hot enough, but not scalding the skin, to which it is recommended to add softening and disinfecting agents.

To remove dry calluses without a core (corns), it is often enough to steam your feet 2-3 times and use a pumice stone, file or brush to comb off the softened tissue of the stratum corneum, and then lubricate the skin of the foot with any care cream.

But for the treatment of old corns and dry calluses with a core, steaming the growths is an auxiliary procedure that is used at the preparatory stage of applying a medicinal product (pharmacy or prepared on the basis of traditional medicine recipes ).

What are the requirements for foot baths that will help make them a truly useful procedure:

• When it comes to treating dry calluses, the mention of warm foot baths means using fairly hot water, in which you need to immerse the sole and toes for 10-15 minutes. If you use warm water, softening the callus will not be as effective, and it will take more time. And too hot water can cause a burn of the skin. Therefore, you need to know the measure in everything.
• The callus can be steamed in plain water, but it is best to add products to it that will help soften the tissues of the neoplasm. Without going too far, baking soda is perfect for these purposes (1 spoon per liter of water). If you make a saline solution using the same principle, it will have a disinfectant effect, and soda-salt or soap-soda solutions (for a liter of water, take 1 tablespoon of soda and the second component: salt or liquid soap) will combine both beneficial effects.

A bright pink solution of potassium permanganate is also used as an antiseptic, and the callus is softened by hot water. Sometimes it is recommended to add sea salt to this composition. It is believed that the combination of these components has an analgesic effect. But it should be taken into account that potassium permanganate has a noticeable drying effect, so the skin will have to be lubricated with a moisturizing or greasy cream after the procedure.

Herbal infusions (calendula, chamomile, pine or spruce needles with shoots) can be added to the water for foot baths. Such compositions will not only soften the hardened skin in the callus area, but also relieve inflammation, fight pathogenic microflora, and deodorize the feet.

• In order for the medicine to penetrate to a greater depth, which is especially important for the treatment of core calluses, it is not enough to simply steam the growth. Additionally, it must be treated with instruments that allow you to remove part of the callus tissue, and the smaller it is, the fewer procedures will be needed for it to go away.

After performing foot baths and removing softened tissue, the feet should be rinsed and dried again (pat dry with a towel or napkin). Only then can the treatment composition be applied to the callus.

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