Blisters, Calluses & Corns

Blisters, calluses, and corns happen because when something rubs against the skin, usually on the hands or feet. Some can be uncomfortable, but they’re easy to take care of and prevent.

What's a Blister?

A blister is an area of raised skin with a watery liquid inside. Blisters form on hands and feet from rubbing and pressure, and develop pretty quickly. Wearing uncomfortable or poor-fitting shoes can cause blisters on feet the same day. Doing things like using a hammer or riding a bike without protective gloves can cause blisters on hands.

Areas on the body that form blisters and continue to be rubbed every day can go on to form calluses.

What's a Callus?

A callus (KAL-iss) is an area of thick skin. Calluses form in places where there’s a lot of repeated rubbing for a long period of time. The skin hardens from the pressure over time and eventually thickens. It gets a hard, tough, grayish or yellowish surface that may feel bumpy.

Hand Calluses

Calluses on the hands usually don’t hurt and may make it easier for a person to do the same action over and over. Calluses can help gymnasts perform on uneven or parallel bars and help guitarists keep playing the strings.

Foot Calluses

But what about calluses on the feet? They can be painful because a person steps on them all the time. Foot calluses usually form on the:

• ball of the foot (the roundish part on the bottom of the foot, just behind the big toe)
• outside of the big or little toe
• heel

Tight shoes and high heels often cause calluses because they put a lot of pressure on feet at points that aren't used to all that stress.

What's a Corn?

Like calluses, corns are also areas of hard, thick skin. They usually look like a soft yellow ring of skin around a hard, gray center. Corns often form on the tops of the toes or in between toes, and they can hurt.

Corns come from pressure or repeated rubbing of the toes. Corns usually develop after wearing shoes that are tight around the toe area.

How to Get Rid of Blisters, Calluses & Corns

You can usually take care of a blister, callus, or corn at home.

• Blisters usually heal on their own. Keeping the blister clean and dry and covering it with a bandage helps protect it until it goes away. While it heals, it’s important to avoid putting pressure on the area, picking it, rubbing it, or popping the blister.
• Calluses go away faster by soaking them in warm, soapy water for 10 minutes, then gently rubbing them with a pumice stone. The stone has a rough surface that can rub off dead skin. The trick is to go easy with this. Rubbing too much can make the skin raw and sore. Wearing shoe pads inside shoes can relieve pressure so foot calluses can heal. Many online sites, grocery stores, and drugstores sell pumice stones and foot pads.
• Corns take a little bit longer to go away. Special doughnut-shaped pads that let the corn fit right into the hole in the middle may help relieve pain and pressure. Some corn pads contain salicylic acid. This acid takes off the dead skin to help get rid of the corn, but people with some health conditions (like diabetes) should avoid using these. If a corn sticks around for a while and keeps hurting, it may be time to see a podiatrist (a foot doctor).

If any skin problem gets red or discolored, inflamed, or looks infected, check with your doctor.

Preventing Blisters, Calluses & Corns

The best way to deal with blisters, calluses, and corns is to avoid getting them. Here are some tips:

• Wear the right kind of gloves or protective gear to avoid getting blisters and calluses on hands. For instance, use work gloves during yard work and palm protectors called "grips" for gymnastics.
• Choose shoes wisely to help prevent calluses on feet. It’s a good idea to shop for shoes in the afternoon because that's when feet are their largest. They get a little swollen from walking on them all day. It helps to try on both shoes and walk around a little bit before buying them. Even if shoes look great, don't get them if they don't feel right. Often, a different size or width can make a big difference.
• Avoid wearing the same shoes all the time. Wearing a variety of shoes gives feet a break, so they won't always be rubbed in the same places.