Foot corns can be irritating. If you don’t address them timely, they can turn painful and affect your movement. Whether they are at the top of your foot, between the toes, or on the pads of the feet, they rub painfully inside the shoe and make it difficult for you to wear shoes comfortably. Do not let these hardened bumps become more painful or disrupt your life. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Petkov for expert advice on corn removal and how you can do it at home. With at-home remedies and treatment options, you can look forward to safely removing these corns within a few days and getting back to activities you enjoy.
Corns are hard, thickened areas of skin that typically occur on the feet. They look like a callus but are usually harder, smaller, and more painful. Corns are not a skin disease; they are your body’s response to pressure or friction on the skin caused by wearing ill-fitting shoes.
Corns are often confused with other foot ailments like blisters and plantar warts. A lack of knowledge about corn or what is causing it can lead to pain and limit your movement. The good news is that with a little care and timely preventive measures, you can remove these corns safely at home.
Removing the source of friction or pressure is the most important and easiest way to get rid of corn. It can make a corn disappear over time. If your corn is resulting from wearing a particular pair of shoes, switching to comfortable shoes that do not cause this friction may help too.
In addition to this, using other methods can help to get rid of the corn. Read on to know how you can safely remove a foot corn at home in just a few days.
The first step in removing a corn is softening the toughened, thick bump of dead skin. When you soften the skin, it can come off easily with the assistance of a skin file, or it may even fall off on its own.
Soak your foot in warm water for at least 10 to 15 minutes. You can also add Epson salt with oil or perfumes to relax or soften your skin. After the soak, your skin will become softer and ready for gentle filing. However, if your skin is tough or you have large corn, you may need to soak your foot daily for a few days, to gradually soften the bump.
Applying lotion can also soften your skin and provide the nourishing moisture it needs, as corns are dried accumulation of dead skin. Make sure to use a scent-free lotion after you shower or bath regularly so the corn can be filed off easily.
Vitamin E is great for skin and hair and is a popular natural treatment for foot corns. It contains properties that help to soften and moisturize skin and the antioxidants keep away foot irritation and ensure quick healing. Rub vitamin E oil on the corn before going to bed for a few days until the corn disappears or becomes soft enough to safely file off. You can use vitamin E oil to moisturize your skin even after the corn is removed to keep the skin soft.
Once the corn is soft, it can be carefully filed using a pumice stone or a nail file. After a few minutes soak in warm water, and wiping your foot, file your corn lightly. Usually, pumice stones are best for corns on the bottom pads of the feet or the sides of the toes. It is best to use a fingernail file for corns in between the toes.
Only use gentle pressure when filing the corn. Aggressive filing can cause micro abrasion on the skin that can lead to fungus and bacteria and result in infection. Also, removing too many layers of skin can lead to an open wound, which could rub open and worsen with walking or other activity.
You can also use natural remedies like lemon juice, onion juice, garlic, or other at-home treatments to remove your corn. Some of these home remedies include:
If you are not comfortable removing the corn, you can try padding the corn area with soft inserts. Wrap or cover the rough bump to eliminate foot pain, as well as rubbing and pressure. It can also help to heal the corn.
There are several options when it comes to corn pads. You can use top sleeves made from gel materials or corn cushions that go around the bump and are designed for the top of feet corn.
If home treatments do not bring the desired relief, you can also try an over-the-counter product to get rid of corn.
Salicylic acid products help to break down the skin cells collected in corn bumps, which reduces the corn size. Putting acid on your acid may sound intimidating, but salicylic acid is safe and used in many exfoliating scrubs and products. Applying salicylic acid is an effective and less painful way to remove corns.
If you have sensitive skin, avoid using salicylic acid, as it can show signs of burning or redness from the acid pads. If you are not sure salicylic acid is an irritant or how these pads will work for you, check with your doctor. Urea or ammonium lactate can also help gradually soften foot corns.
You can also use medicated creams or lotions to soften the corns to break them out, at the same time nourishing the skin. These medicated lotions can also be used with corn removal pads that contain high concentrations of salicylic acid, ammonium lactate, or urea. They reduce their potency and potential negative side effects of acid burning, offering better relief from corns.
If you have tried home foot corn removal techniques without success, it is best to consult a podiatrist. Also, if your corn is turning painful or you have diabetes, peripheral artery disease, or fragile skin, consult your healthcare provider before trying any home treatment for corn removal.
Call your doctor if your corn shows signs of infection, such as:
The trained professional can help to remove as much dead skin as possible and properly bandage the area to heal. Corn removal surgery is only needed if a corn is pressing directly on a nerve in the foot and causing intense arch pain or affecting mobility. If your corn is old and has become too hard, he may recommend an outpatient procedure to get rid of the dead skin, all the way to the root of the corn.
Corns can reappear after treatment because of inappropriate fitting footwear or other foot conditions such as hammertoes or bunions, which cause excessive rubbing in your shoes. Your podiatrist will also recommend proper footwear to prevent further irritation or help you find orthotics that relieve the preexisting condition.
Get your painful and annoying bump checked by an professional podiatrist to avoid further complications. Call Premier Podiatry and set up an appointment with Velimir Petkov to have your corn checked for professional advice on corn removal. He examines your corn and foot condition to ensure it is nothing serious, recommends the best solutions to remove these corns successfully and prevents them from developing in the future.
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