Effective methods for removing hand calluses.

The calluses correspond to a localized thickening of the skin, most often observed on areas subjected to repeated mechanical stresses such as feet, elbows or hands. They appear when the skin is exposed to prolonged pressures or friction, triggering a natural protective response in the body. The stratum corneum then gradually thickens, forming a hard plate composed of compacted dead cells, designed to shield underlying tissues from damage. At this stage, the callus is not necessarily painful but can become problematic in terms of function or appearance.

Over time, this thickened skin may exhibit visible changes, such as yellowish discoloration, redness, or itching. When the thickening becomes pronounced, the callus can even become sensitive or painful under pressure, highlighting the need for prompt management.

Calluses never develop randomly.

Their formation results from repeated activities that apply localized pressure or friction to specific areas of the hand. Some individuals, however, are more susceptible depending on their lifestyle, sports activities, or professional occupation. Among the situations likely to provoke callus formation are playing a musical instrument, such as the guitar or violin, which intensely engages the fingers; athletic training involving the gripping of hard or heavy objects (weightlifting, gymnastics, ball sports); and performing manual work that requires repeated use of tools. In general, all professional or recreational activities involving prolonged gripping can induce localized mechanical stress that promotes thickening of the stratum corneum.

Certain clinical observations also illustrate more unexpected causes related to everyday activities. Calluses, for instance, may develop after excessive cell phone use or prolonged use of crutches, situations in which repeated friction leads to the formation of a well-localized thickened plaque. One clinical case thus describes a 48-year-old woman with a rough, slightly painful area on her right thumb, corresponding precisely to the cell phone–holding position. These examples underscore that hand calluses primarily represent the skin’s mechanical adaptation to the repeated stresses it endures.

In some cases, calluses can disappear spontaneously when the friction that caused them ceases. In practice, however, this remains uncommon, as it would often require interrupting the activity responsible for the mechanical stress—whether it’s a sport, playing a musical instrument, or manual labor—which is not always possible. A local treatment then becomes useful for gradually reducing skin thickening without weakening it.

The use of exfoliating products represents one of the initial strategies. Gentle mechanical scrubs or keratolytic peels help to remove excess dead cells from the stratum corneum and smooth its surface. Note that exfoliation should always be followed by a moisturizer to support the skin's restoration of its hydrolipidic film, which may have been disrupted. Additionally, moisturizing the skin softens it and limits the risk of callus recurrence.

Tip : If you can’t get rid of your calluses, there are also dressings containing salicylic acid available in pharmacies. This active ingredient is known for its keratolytic effect, which promotes the gradual thinning of the thickened skin area.

• AKDEMIR O. & al. New alternative in treatment of callus. Journal of Dermatology (2011).

• HASHMI F. & al. The evaluation of three treatments for plantar callus: A three-armed randomised, comparative trial using biophysical outcome measures. Trials (2016).

• LOTTI T. & al. Unilateral palmar callus and irritant hand eczema - Underreported signs of dependency on crutches. Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences (2018).

• WELSH K. M. & al. Cell thumb replaces writer’s bump: Changing times, changing callouses. Case Reports in Dermatology (2020).