Having a corn or callus on your feet can be painful, and embarrassing. Don’t worry, there is no need to keep those little imperfections covered. Corns and calluses can be treated to help improve the appearance of your feet. You should always get the corn or callus checked out by a doctor before doing any home treatments. Your doctor may have some insight for you on the best way to treat your corn or callus.
All About Calluses
Calluses form on the skin when there is repeated pressure onto a certain spot on the body. For example, a guitar player many times, get calluses on their fingertips from playing. The calluses that are formed on the feet can be very uncomfortable and painful. Calluses on the feet can be caused by a variety of different things such as wearing high heels or tight fitting shoes that put pressure on the toes.
Treating Calluses
After checking with your doctor in order to get permission for at home callus treatment, you can now try out some of the methods below to treat your callus and get your feet looking great once again. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises that you should try the following things to remove calluses.
Step One: Soak your feet in some warm water. This will help to soften the callus.
Step Two: Using a pumice stone, file down the callus as much as possible. Pumice stones can be bought in most drug stores, over the counter.
Step Three: Consider wearing some soft foam inserts in your shoes to reduce the pressure that is being placed on the callus.
All About Corns
A corn is a buildup of skin tissue that is one the toe. Corns are caused by a variety of different things, the most common being tight fitting shoes or a hammertoe (bent toe) that is rubbing against the skin. There are over the counter methods available such as soaks and exfoliants. These usually fail to work because of the very thick skin on the toe.
The at home scrubs do work to exfoliate the foot, but does nothing for the removal of the corn. For the hammertoe problem, the best solution involves physical therapy or surgery to correct the issue. Wearing a wider and more comfortable shoe may make it easier. Over the counter, doughnut-shaped pads also protect the corns from making them any worse and helps to ease the pain.
Treating Corns
In order to remove corns, you can try one of these home remedies. They may or may not work on you but they are completely safe and may help you to remove your corn in the privacy of your own home.
Remedy One: Cut the rind from a pineapple and put the fruit side up against the corn. Cover the area with a gauze and tape it. Leave the area alone overnight and it should fall off by morning.
Remedy Two: Soak some crumbled bread in 1/4 cup of vinegar for about an hour and a half. Next, place the bread over the corn and cover it with a gauze and tape it overnight. Repeat these steps until the corn falls off.
Remedy Three: Using a lemon peel, place the white side against the corn. Leave it overnight for about 7 night. The corn should fall off.
Remedy Four: Crush a few aspirins and add water until until it is a smooth paste. Smear the paste over the corn and wrap the foot with bandages. Leave the paste on for about 20 minutes. Remove the bandages and wash the area clean. Dry the foot and use a pumice to gently remove the dead skin.
Remedy Five: Soak the feet in chamomile. Leave the feet to soak for about 10 to 15 minutes. Repeat these steps. Use a pumice or file to scrape off the foot corn.
Visit a Professional
If the corn or the calluses become too painful, it may be time to see a dermatologist. The best way to prevent or manage corns and calluses is to avoid tight fitting shoes that only make them worse. Also, adding topical treatments that contains salicylic acid may also help to shrink them. Be sure to talk to your doctor before attempting this, especially if you are a diabetic patient.
Prevent Corns and Calluses
To prevent ever getting a corn or callus, follow the directions below. While shopping for new shoes, consider this advice:
Avoid tight fitting or narrow toed shoes.
Avoid heels or shoes that put any pressure on your foot and toes.
Choose a shoe that will provide good support when you walk.
Be sure to buy the right size shoe. There should be a thumb width of space between your toes and the end of the shoe.
Your feet are largest at the end of the day, this is when you should shop for shoes.
These simple treatments can help to treat corns and calluses. At home treatments should only be done if you have already talked to your doctor. These methods work for some, but not for everyone. If none of these methods work for you, it is time to contact a professional.
