If you have patches of dry, hard skin that do not respond to the moisturiser, see your podiatrist. They may be due to pressure, which can be a problem if you have little or no sensation in your feet. Sometimes pressure placed on the foot becomes out of balance and extra friction falls on particular areas of the foot. When this happens, the body may respond to the pressure by producing thickenings in the surface layer of the skin. These hard patches of the skin are called callouses and are part of the body's defence system to protect the underlying tissues. If pressure is concentrated in a small area, a hard corn may develop. If the cause of pressure is not relieved, callouses and corns may become painful.

Corns and callouses may not be painful if you have any loss of sensation and may become ulcerated if left untreated.

The most important thing to remember about corns and callouses is never to treat them yourself. Callouses and corns are generally symptoms of underlying problems and, in some cases, early warning signals of more complex foot disorders. Because they are caused by continuous pressure in one particular area, they may indicate abnormalities or deformity in bone structure or in the way the person walks. Often callouses and corns are caused by ill-fitting or inappropriate footwear.
Your podiatrist will gently remove the hard skin of the callous or corn. To prevent future cases, your podiatrist may redistribute pressure on the foot with customised soft padding and strapping or deflective appliances that fit easily into your shoes.
For older patients suffering from callouses on the soles of the feet, extra shock absorption for the ball of the foot can help to compensate for loss of natural padding. Scholl Cosy Soles will help to resist pressure and assist with shock absorption. They should be used under supervision from a podiatrist.
Your podiatrist will probably also discuss the type of footwear best suited to your foot and provide fitting advice to help prevent recurrence of the problem.