Natural health: How can I remove the calluses on my feet? 

Plus: how to get rid of chapped lips

'Treat your feet nightly using a healing balm or salve that can be left on overnight.'

I’ve been using a pumice stone to remove the calluses on my feet for the past two months. The stone works but my feet are now very sensitive, particularly if I walk around the house without socks. What do you suggest?

You could switch out the pumice stone for a chiropody sponge. The sponge is more solid than the name suggests and is designed to be used with soap (or you can use a solid shampoo bar).

But first give your feet a break from skin smoothing and removal, given they feel so sensitive.

Treat your feet nightly using a healing balm or salve that can be left on overnight. It will keep your feet soft and help repair the skin.

Massage the balm into your feet and then pop a pair of cotton socks on before you go to bed and leave it on all night.

Connemara Organic Seaweed Company has a moisturising foot balm infused with seaweed and calendula oil with added peppermint and tea tree essential oils for toxin release and antiseptic support. 

It’s created with beeswax, shea butter, and coconut oil, providing anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

The Seaweed Foot Balm costs €16.50 for 50ml and is available online from connemaraseaweedcompany.ie. The company has also put together the ultimate seaweed foot care hamper (€44.95) containing seaweed footbath, seaweed foot balm, seaweed and lemongrass soap and moisturising socks for the ultimate foot treatment.

Calluses are a thickening and hardening of the skin due to repeated pressure or friction. You might want to look into the type of shoes you wear, and perhaps even get your walking gait assessed to see if this is contributing to the calluses. 

A podiatrist can help with an assessment and help treat the calluses.

'Keeping well hydrated and ensuring you have plenty of healthy fats in your diet will also go a long way to ensuring that your lips and skin stay healthy and supple.'

Is there a natural balm you could suggest for chapped lips? Whenever I use a commercial one, my lips tend to get sore.

My two favourite solutions for dry and chapped lips are pawpaw (papaya) and ginger-based balms or salves. Ensure that any lip balm you choose is petroleum-free, as it can have a drying effect.

The soreness you are experiencing may be caused by artificial flavours, fragrances, and colours often added to conventional lip balms. These additives can be drying as well as sensitising.

Ensure that any lip balm you choose includes natural plant butters, waxes, and oils such as jojoba oil, shea butter, cocoa/cacao butter, hempseed oil, and candelilla or beeswax.

These products are rich and nourishing for the delicate skin and will help protect against wind and cold.

Keeping well hydrated and ensuring you have plenty of healthy fats in your diet will also go a long way to ensuring that your lips and skin stay healthy and supple.

Nuts, seeds, oily fish, and avocados are excellent food choices. However, an essential fatty acid supplement may be a good idea too.

Earth Sense ginger lip balm is available from Greener Choice (greenerchoice.ie; 087 409 5313) where a 15ml tube costs €11 (currently on special offer for €10). 

This organic lip balm uses olive, coconut, and argan oils with beeswax, ginger, and lavender and is packaged in a compostable tube.

Dr PAWPAW Original Balm is available from Boots, a 10ml tube costs €4.99. 

It is excellent for chapped lips, and you can use it for dry or rough patches on elbows, knees, cuticles, and hands.

It is also suitable for rashes, cuts, bites, and even unruly eyebrows.

• If you have a question for Megan Sheppard, please email it to [e-mail]
• NOTE: The information contained in this column is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a doctor.