What's the difference between corns, calluses, and warts?

Corns are small, hard bumps with a center core that usually form on top of your toes or between them where shoes rub. They hurt when you press on them because the hard center pushes into your skin.

Calluses are larger, flatter areas of thick skin that form on the bottom of your feet or other pressure points. They don't have a core and usually don't hurt unless they get very thick.

Warts are caused by a virus (HPV). They have tiny black dots inside that look like seeds, and they interrupt your fingerprint lines if they're on your fingers. Warts on the bottom of your feet (plantar warts) hurt when you walk because you're pushing them into your foot.

You treat these three problems differently. If you're not sure which one you have, don't guess. Treating a wart like a callus or vice versa wastes time and money.

Does Dr. Scholl's liquid corn and callus remover actually work?

Yes, but it takes consistent use. The liquid contains 17% salicylic acid, which dissolves the thick skin layer by layer. Most people see results within a week if they apply it twice daily.

The product works best when you soak your feet first for 5 minutes, dry them completely, then apply one drop at a time to cover the corn or callus. Let it dry before putting on socks. The liquid dries to form a thin film that stays on your skin.

Be careful where you apply it. If you get it on normal skin, especially broken or cut skin, it burns and can cause discoloration. Some customers report their skin turned grayish where the liquid touched healthy areas. Apply precisely to the hardened area only.

The cushions included in the package protect the treated area from shoe pressure while it heals. Use them, especially if the corn or callus is in a spot where your shoes rub.

Are the medicated pads better than the liquid?

Different people prefer different formats. Dr. Scholl's makes medicated pads with 40% salicylic acid that you stick directly on the corn or callus. The higher concentration means faster results, often within 2 treatments over 4 days.

The pads stay in place better than liquid. You can shower with them on, though they get soggy. Some people find the newer Duragel pads slide off after 24 hours, especially if you're on your feet all day. The older style pads had better adhesive according to customer reviews.

The downside of pads is they're bulkier under your foot. If the corn or callus is on the ball of your foot where you put weight, the pad feels uncomfortable in shoes. Liquid doesn't add any thickness.

For corns between your toes, pads work better because liquid runs off and doesn't stay concentrated on the spot. For calluses on the bottom of your feet, liquid gives you more control over the exact area you treat.

How long does it take to remove a corn or callus?

Plan on one to two weeks with daily treatment. Thick calluses that you've had for months or years take longer than a new corn.

With the 40% salicylic acid pads, you might need 3 to 4 applications (each one stays on for 48 hours). With the 17% liquid, you apply twice daily for up to 14 days.

After about a week, the dead skin starts peeling off. Some people can pull the entire corn out in one piece after the treatment softens it. Others need to gently file it away as the layers soften.

If nothing improves after two full weeks of correct use, you either need stronger treatment from a podiatrist or the problem isn't actually a corn or callus.

Will freeze-off products remove warts permanently?

Sometimes. Compound W Freeze Off and Dr. Scholl's Freeze Away work by freezing the wart tissue, which kills it. The wart usually falls off within 10 to 14 days after treatment.

The success rate varies widely based on customer reviews. Small, new warts on hands often respond after 1 or 2 treatments. Large plantar warts on feet that you've had for years are much harder to eliminate. Some people report warts coming back a few months after they seemed gone.

The freeze products at Safeway don't get as cold as the liquid nitrogen doctors use. Doctor-applied cryotherapy reaches much lower temperatures. That's why doctor treatment works faster and more reliably, but it also costs more and requires an appointment.

Multiple treatments are normal. The box might say "removes warts in as few as 1 treatment," but most people need 2 to 4 applications spaced out over several weeks.

Should I buy the regular Freeze Off or the more expensive options?

Safeway carries several versions. Regular Compound W Freeze Off costs around $19 for 8 applications. Dr. Scholl's Freeze Away costs about $15 for 7 applications. Dr. Scholl's Freeze Away Max is similar pricing for 10 applications.

The main difference is the applicator design. Some have precision tips, others have different attachment systems. They all use similar freezing compounds (dimethyl ether and propane).

Dr. Scholl's Dual Action Freeze Away costs more because it includes a salicylic acid liquid you apply after freezing. The combination approach (freeze plus acid) works better on stubborn warts than freezing alone, but you can get the same result by buying regular freeze and then using salicylic acid pads or liquid separately for less money.

Start with the least expensive freeze option. If it doesn't work after 3 treatments, the wart probably needs professional removal rather than a different over-the-counter product.

What about the Compound W liquid and medicated strips for warts?

The liquid and One Step strips contain 17% to 40% salicylic acid. They work by slowly dissolving the wart tissue over several weeks. You apply them daily.

These take longer than freezing but work just as well for many people. The big advantage is they're less painful. Freezing causes blistering and stinging. Salicylic acid just softens the wart gradually.

Customers report the Compound W liquid (the bottle with the brush) can dry out and turn to gel after a few uses. Keep the cap tight and store it upright. Once it thickens, it's hard to apply properly.

The One Step medicated strips are convenient. You stick them on and replace them every 48 hours. They stay on through showers and don't require daily application. At $10 for 14 strips, they're cheaper than multiple freeze treatments.

Can these products hurt you if you use them wrong?

Yes. The salicylic acid in corn, callus, and wart products dissolves skin. If you use them on healthy skin, irritated skin, or broken skin, they cause chemical burns.

Common mistakes include cutting the medicated pad too large so it touches skin around the problem area, or applying liquid sloppily so it runs onto healthy skin. This causes redness, discoloration, and pain.

The freeze products can cause serious blistering if you hold them on too long. Follow the timing exactly. More is not better. Over-freezing damages healthy tissue and leads to scarring.

Never use these products if you have diabetes or poor circulation. Diabetes affects healing and nerve sensation in your feet. What seems like a minor irritation can turn into a serious wound. See a podiatrist instead.

Don't use corn or callus removers on warts, and don't use wart removers on corns or calluses. They work differently and treating the wrong condition makes things worse.

Why do corns and calluses keep coming back after I remove them?

Because the friction or pressure that caused them is still there. If your shoes are too tight, too loose, or rub a certain way, your skin responds by building up layers to protect itself.

Removing the thick skin treats the symptom, not the cause. Buy shoes that fit properly with enough room in the toe box. Use cushioned insoles if you're on your feet all day. Wear socks that prevent friction.

Some foot shapes naturally create pressure points. If you have bunions, hammer toes, or high arches, certain areas will always get more pressure. In these cases, regular use of protective pads and occasional treatment with salicylic acid keeps the problem manageable.

If calluses reform quickly no matter what shoes you wear, your walking pattern might be off. A podiatrist can assess your gait and recommend orthotics.

Do I need the cushions that come with corn and callus removers?

They help but aren't essential. The cushions are foam pads that go over the medicated disc to protect the area from shoe pressure and hold the medic ation in place.

If the corn or callus is in a high-pressure area like the ball of your foot, the cushion makes walking more comfortable during treatment. Without it, your shoes press on the tender area that's softening.

For corns between your toes where shoes don't press directly, you can skip the cushion. The medicated pad works fine by itself.

Some people find the cushions too bulky in their shoes. If that's the case, just use the medicated part and wear looser shoes during treatment.

When should I stop using drugstore products and see a doctor?

If you've used products correctly for two weeks and see no improvement, stop. Continuing to apply acid to your skin without results just irritates it.

See a podiatrist if corns or calluses are extremely painful, if they bleed, or if you see signs of infection like redness, warmth, or pus. Also see a doctor if calluses crack deeply, especially if the cracks bleed.

For warts, see a dermatologist if they spread rapidly, if you have multiple clusters, or if they're on your face or genitals. Don't use over-the-counter freeze or acid products on facial or genital warts.

If you have diabetes, peripheral artery disease, or nerve damage in your feet, don't treat any foot problem yourself. Even minor issues can become serious complications with these conditions.

Are there cheaper alternatives to name brands that work?

Safeway doesn't carry many store-brand corn, callus, and wart removers in this category. The foot care aisle stocks mainly Dr. Scholl's and Compound W products.

The active ingredients are standardized. Salicylic acid at 17% is the same whether it's Dr. Scholl's or a generic. Salicylic acid at 40% is the maximum strength allowed without prescription, regardless of brand.

If you find a cheaper product with the same percentage of salicylic acid, it will work the same way. The difference is packaging, application method, and how well the adhesive stays on.

For freeze products, the chemistry is similar across brands, but applicator design matters. Some are easier to control than others. Since Safeway mainly stocks the major brands, you're not overpaying compared to what the same products cost elsewhere.

Can I prevent warts by using these products?

No. Warts are caused by a virus that you catch from surfaces or direct contact. The virus enters through tiny cuts in your skin. Using salicylic acid or freeze products on healthy skin doesn't prevent infection.

To avoid warts, don't walk barefoot in public showers, locker rooms, or pool areas. Wear flip-flops or water shoes. Don't share towels, nail clippers, or anything that touches someone else's wart.

If you have a wart, don't pick at it or bite it. The virus can spread to other parts of your body. Treat it promptly before it spreads.

How do I know if treatment is working?

For corns and calluses, you should see the thick skin getting softer and whiter after a few days of treatment. The hard center of a corn becomes looser. The callus starts to peel at the edges.

If you see no change after 4 to 5 days of correct application, you might not have a corn or callus. It could be a wart or some other skin condition.

For warts, the treated area turns white first, then darker, then forms a blister or thick scab. The wart shrinks. You might see the black dots (wart seeds) come to the surface. This means the wart tissue is dying.

If the wart stays the same size and appearance after 2 full treatment cycles, the product isn't working. Try a different method (freeze instead of acid, or acid instead of freeze) or see a doctor.

Is it safe to use these products on kids?

The products specifically say they can be used on children 4 years and older, but that doesn't mean you should automatically use them.

Kids have more sensitive skin than adults. They're less able to sit still during application and keep their hands off treated areas. If a child picks at a medicated pad or touches the liquid and then touches their eyes or mouth, that causes problems.

For kids, consider seeing a pediatrician or dermatologist instead of using home treatments. Professional removal is faster and less likely to cause complications.

If you do use over-the-counter products on a child, supervise closely. Make sure they understand not to touch or remove the medication. Watch for any sign of reaction like excessive redness or pain.

Will regular pedicures prevent corns and calluses?

Pedicures help by removing dead skin buildup before it becomes a problem. The exfoliation and moisturizing during a pedicure keep your feet smoother.

But pedicures don't fix the underlying cause. If your shoes create friction, you'll develop corns and calluses between pedicures. Pedicures also don't prevent warts since those are caused by a virus, not dead skin buildup.

Think of pedicures as maintenance, not prevention. They're useful for keeping minor calluses under control but won't eliminate the problem if you have structural foot issues or wear bad shoes.

Don't let anyone at a nail salon use a razor blade or sharp tool on your calluses. Filing is safer. And never get a pedicure if you have open cuts, warts, or signs of infection on your feet. The warm water basins can spread bacteria and viruses.