Q: This is not a critical condition but I have a question about foot calluses. I played soccer into my 40s with all the attendant foot problems and calluses. It is now 20 years later and I continue to have calluses in the same places that I had when playing. I have changed shoes many times and spent entire summers barefoot and in sandals. The calluses seem to regenerate on their own. Is that possible and once established, to you have them for life? Thanks.

A: Calluses are thick, hard layers of skin that develop on the feet, toes, hands and fingers when skin attempts to protect itself from pressure and friction. Generally speaking, they only need treatment if they cause discomfort, since eliminating the source of the pressure and friction makes them disappear.

Calluses and corns tend to cause confusion, so I will briefly explain the difference. A corn is smaller than a callus. It has a very hard center that is surrounded by skin inflammation. Corns tend to develop in areas of the feet that do not bear weight, such as on the tops or sides of the toes. They are often painful. Calluses, on the other hand, generally develop on the soles or heels of the feet.

Calluses are seen whether a person wears shoes or chooses to go barefoot, while corns are most frequently the result of poorly fitting shoes that are too tight and tend to compress specific areas of the foot or, on the flip side, are too loose which allows the foot to move about and rub against the side(s) of the shoe. Wearing shoes or sandals without properly fitting socks can also lead to friction on specific areas of the foot. I’m with you thinking that when shoes don’t fit well, you should wear sandals without socks to remedy the situation, but this is apparently an incorrect thing to do.

Treatment begins by eliminating the cause for calluses to develop. Make an appointment with a podiatrist who can examine your feet, be assured there is no bone abnormality, poor circulation or diabetes present, and who can trim down the dense callused areas. This may require several visits before sufficient dense skin areas are taken down. Then speak with him or her to determine if you can try using a pumice stone or a heavy emery board at home. If you receive the okay, be sure to soak your foot/feet first in warm soapy water to soften the callus, followed by gentle and careful removal of some of the thickened skin. Dry carefully and then use a moisturizer on the area(s). Again, as in the foot doctor’s office, this should not be accomplished in one sitting but done over a matter of days or perhaps even weeks. Be extremely careful not to penetrate the surface of your skin because of the risk of infection. Wear socks that are a blend of cotton and polyester that will divert moisture away from the area better than will all cotton socks. A recommendation is to use 40% salicylic acid plasters that can be purchased over the counter.

Because of your extended soccer playing, you likely have extremely thick calluses that can and should only be worked on by a professional. Even with the purchase of new shoes, the areas of your feet may be so dense that they may not fit as well as they should. Because specific areas of the feet are targeted when it comes to corns and calluses, you may be repeating problems again and again. They aren’t regenerating on their own but are repeatedly occurring in troublesome areas.