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How Can I Remove a Finger Callus?

Megan Shoop
Megan Shoop

Callused skin buildup on the fingers often results from repetitive hand actions like playing musical instruments, crocheting or knitting, and sports, such as gymnastics. A very thick finger callus can separate from the live skin beneath and and become painful. This may result in a fluid-filled blister or in the callus pulling off of the skin entirely. A far gentler way to remove a finger callus is to soak it in warm water, abrade it gently and gradually, and apply some kind of moisturizer to soften it over time.

Soaking the finger callus should be the first step in any removal attempt. This softens the dead skin of the callus, generally making it easier to remove. The heat may also turn the callused skin white, making it easier to see. The water should be as warm as one can tolerate, but by no means hot enough to harm the skin or cause blisters. Some people like to add Epsom salts to the water to further condition the skin, but this is not necessary.

A pumice stone, which can be used to remove calluses.
A pumice stone, which can be used to remove calluses.

After soaking for about five minutes, one should be able to see the finger callus clearly. Gently rubbing it with a pumice stone or exfoliating body scrub should loosen and begin to scrape away small flakes of the hardened skin. If the rubbing begins to hurt, stop this action. Pain usually means the live skin under the finger callus is being rasped, which can leave the area very tender and sore. Thin calluses don’t require as much sanding as thicker ones.

A body scrub, which can be used to remove a finger callus.
A body scrub, which can be used to remove a finger callus.

Gently drying with a soft, clean towel prepares it for further treatment. Typically, the next step is to apply a moisturizer to the area. Ordinary body lotion works well, but may sting, particularly with sensitive skin. Other options include cocoa butter and alcohol-free aloe vera moisturizer. Lotions infused with vitamin E often work well because the nutrient helps the skin heal quickly, while the lotion keeps the skin hydrated.

Callus lotion.
Callus lotion.

A thick finger callus may require several sessions for complete removal. One should space these sessions at least 24 hours apart to give one’s hands a chance to recover slightly. Thinner calluses, such as those from constant use of a pen, may require only one session for removal. Regular moisturizing should keep one’s hands soft and may help keep a finger callus from coming back.

Crocheting is one type of repetitive activity that may cause finger calluses.
Crocheting is one type of repetitive activity that may cause finger calluses.

Calluses generally build on the fingers for protection. If one place on the fingers is constantly rubbed or abused, a callus is likely to form there. Moisturizing regularly also protects the hands by keeping the skin soft, so it gives against the repetitive activity instead of grinding against it. Even if calluses do form, moisturized hands often develop much thinner calluses than dry ones.

Discussion Comments

anon965068

I am stressing. It's August and I've had the callus on my middle finger since mid-May. I tried everything except going to the emergency room, and declaring an emergency because I have medi-cal and you can't see a physician. I'm trying this again and at end of the month I'm just going to go to the emergency room. I play basketball I lift weights but still, this callus should have been gone. I tried Dr. Scholls and I tried the pumice stone.

irontoenail

@Mor - There is nothing wrong with vanity though. As long as people don't feel ashamed of themselves if they happen to have calluses from their work or hobbies, I don't think it's a sin to try and remove them. Some people just prefer to have smooth skin.

Mor

@clintflint - It's probably not as bad as the kinds of calluses that people get when something is actually rubbing against their skin for long periods of time. When you write, the pen generally doesn't rub against the skin, it just presses there.

But people who get callused skin from sports or from labor tend to get very rough patches and they can be irritating. My father had quite callused hands from playing basketball all his life. They actually felt rough to the touch and sometimes his fingers would bother him because the skin would crack around the calluses.

He used Epsom salts and they seemed to help quite a bit, although I don't know if it was the hot water or the salts that was helping. It wasn't vanity so much as just necessity as the skin was really annoying him.

clintflint

I'm actually pretty proud of my writing callus, which is on my middle finger. It used to be a lot more prominent when I was at school, but you can still see it. It just looks like a bump in my finger and doesn't feel rough or anything like that.

I like to think it identifies me as a writer, although I do most of my writing on a computer these days.

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    • A pumice stone, which can be used to remove calluses.
      By: dimasobko
      A pumice stone, which can be used to remove calluses.
    • A body scrub, which can be used to remove a finger callus.
      By: kubais
      A body scrub, which can be used to remove a finger callus.
    • Callus lotion.
      By: michelangelus
      Callus lotion.
    • Crocheting is one type of repetitive activity that may cause finger calluses.
      By: kulikovan
      Crocheting is one type of repetitive activity that may cause finger calluses.
    • Moisturized hands often develop much thinner calluses than dry ones.
      By: Boris Bulychev
      Moisturized hands often develop much thinner calluses than dry ones.
    • Those who practice sports like gymnastics may be more prone to getting finger calluses.
      By: dacasdo
      Those who practice sports like gymnastics may be more prone to getting finger calluses.
    • Soaking hands in warm water can help soften finger calluses.
      By: Photographee.eu
      Soaking hands in warm water can help soften finger calluses.
    • Finger calluses may be removed using a sugar scrub.
      By: Sergii Moscaliuk
      Finger calluses may be removed using a sugar scrub.