Author: Mary Sun, College student writer

Calluses form when a certain area of your body is under pressure a lot. Most people get calluses on their feet and hands, and sometimes the elbows. Calluses are hardened areas of skin that are not painful to touch.

In some cases, calluses can help protect you; for example, tennis players might find that calluses on their hands prevent blisters when they use a racket. But calluses can bother people, because when you put pressure on them they can hurt. Imagine stepping on a little round pebble in your shoe -- that's what a bad callus on your foot can feel like.

Reducing pressure on the callus and giving it time to heal can help. For example, you can buy special protective pads that cushion the area. You can also try soaking your foot in water and then lightly rubbing away the dry tissue with a pumice stone.

If the callus still bothers you, talk to your doctor.