Corns and Calluses

How to Treat Corns and Calluses Using

Natural Remedies

 

 

Corns and calluses result from friction and pressure. On the feet, calluses usually come from wearing ill-fitting shoes or deformities, such as bunions. Calluses also occur on the palms of the hand and fingers from gardening or manual labor. To get rid of these areas of hard, thick skin, use a natural remedy. If the callus has cracked or become infected, though, see a podiatrist for treatment.

Instructions

    • 1

      Gently file a callus with a pumice stone then moisturize the skin. It may be easier to file the skin after a bath when the skin is soft.

    • 2

      Cover a corn with a cushioned band-aid or corn shaped pad to alleviate pressure on the corn itself.

    • 3

      Apply an herbal remedy to the callus, such as diluted chamomile tea, or lemon rind and juice.

    • 4

      Apply an anti-inflammatory oil, such as chamomile or lavender to lessen pain and bring down any swelling. These will also moisturize the callus if you massage them daily onto the callus or corn.

    • 5

      Treat yourself to a pedicure twice a week to remove dead skin. Soak your feet in hot, soapy water for 10 minutes. Use the pumice stone to rub gently at hard skin. Dry your feet thoroughly. Massage plenty of moisturizer into your feet.

    • 6

      Prevent future corns and calluses by wearing proper shoes. Shoes should have a round (rather than pointed) toe with at least an inch between the end of the longest toe and the tip of the inside of the shoe. Avoid high-heeled shoes and pumps, both of which cram the foot down into the toe end, squeezing the toes together and deforming the shape of the foot, applying pressure to all the wrong places. Lace-up shoes hold the foot back into the heel end, ensuring proper weight distribution.

Remedies for Corns

While calluses do not really pose much a of a problem corns, because of their funnel like structure intensify and focus pressure on a particular point, thereby not just causing pain, but also posing a risk of tissue damage and ulceration. While there are home remedies that some claim can help in the treatment of corns, most experts agree that treatment is not as simple as it may seem, and prevention is in fact a lot easier. In addition to treatment with over the counter applications and sanding with a pumice stone, you could also try using some of these home remedies:

  • Since corns and calluses are composed of dead skin, rubbing the area with a pumice stone is effective in alleviating the symptoms. Remember to soak your foot in warm water first and then rub with a pumice stone.
  • Soaking the affected foot in a solution of baking soda and warm water is said to be effective in removing the dead, hard skin. Add about three tablespoons of baking soda to a tub of warm water and place your foot inside. Massaging the foot with a paste of baking soda and water is also one of the most common home remedies for callus removal.
  • Dab some cornstarch in the areas between the toes to remove moisture. The toes must be kept dry because moisture can lead to infection and worsen the corn or callus. Cornstarch helps to absorb sweat and hence keeps the skin dry.
  • Vinegar is helpful in treating corns. Rub some vinegar over the affected areas using a cotton ball. Allow it to stay on at night and exfoliate the area the next morning.
  • Pineapple peel contains certain enzymes which help in softening corns and calluses and removing them from the skin. Place a small piece of fresh pineapple peel over the affected area and wrap a clean cloth around it. Do this every night for a week. You can also apply pineapple juice to the corns.

Keep in mind that most of these home remedies are not really reliable, as there is little scientific evidence to support any of the claims of their efficacy. Consult with your doctor to find an effective plan to address the problem.

There are also some preventive measures you can take for corns and calluses.

  • Corns develop due to continuous pressure and friction. Therefore it is important to identify the cause and eliminate it before the condition gets aggravated.
  • Keep your toenails short. When a toenail is too long, the toe joint may push upwards against the shoe and develop a corn. Trim the toenails straight across so that the tips do not push into the toes. It is also advisable to file the toenails to smoothen out the edges.
  • If you feel a corn developing, soak the foot in warm water and Epsom salts. Then apply moisturizer to the area and cover the foot with a plastic bag. Take off the bag after an hour and using a pumice stone, rub the corn gently. This will help to prevent the corn from further hardening.
  • Avoid using any tools to cut corns and calluses. There are many such tools available, but it is not advisable to use them since they may cause injury, bleeding and infection.
  • To ease irritated areas between the toes, place pieces of cotton to separate the toes.
  • Apply some petroleum jelly to the areas of the foot that tend to undergo friction. Do this especially when you need to do a lot of walking.
  • Always buy shoes that fit properly and comfortably. It is a good idea to go shoe shopping during the later part of the day as the feet tend to swell slightly due to pressure.
  • You can pad the foot so that the pressure is transferred to another part of the foot for some time. You can do this by placing non-medicated pads or other material over the corn. There are also special corn pads available in drugstores.
  • Wash the feet daily and dry them well. You can also apply some talcum powder to remove moisture.

Diet for Corns

There is no specific diet that helps in the treatment of corns. But health dietary habits are always beneficial as they help the body to repair itself and heal properly. Here are some important dietary tips. Your diet is also important from the aspect of maintaining the ideal body weight. This is because of the simple reason that corns and calluses are most likely to develop from repeated excessive pressure and friction in a particular area. Obesity greatly increases the amount of pressure that areas like the soles of the feet or toes are subjected to. To this extent making modifications to your diet can greatly help address the problem. In addition, a healthy balanced diet also ensures optimal healing.

Suggestions for Corns

There are special medicated pads and liquids available in drugstores which help to reduce discomfort and get rid of corns. However many of these contain salicylic acid which can cause skin irritation in some people. This can also increase the risk of infection.