You might find a small, hard patch of skin on your foot. Most of the time, these are round in shape with a defined edge. In this case, it can be identified as corns. Corns can become quite painful, with the hardened skin pressing into the deeper layers of tissues below. So, how do these occur and how can you treat them? In this article, we shall see how to get rid of corns.
Causes Of Corns:
- Ill-fitting shoes
- Constant pressure or friction on the skin.
- Diabetes, or other conditions that cause poor blood flow.
- Too much walking or running in tight shoes.
- Sports or other activities that require putting constant pressure and friction on the feet.
Types of Corns:
Corns are usually caused by excessive pressure or friction on the skin. These appear mostly on the feet. But under the right circumstances, they can occur in other parts of the body. There are two types of corns that can occur on the feet.
- Hard Corns: This type of corn appears more commonly on the top of the small toes, or on the outside of the little toe. These are the areas that tend to rub the most against ill-fitting shoes. The appearance of this corn is dry, firm and flesh-colored. There is little to no chance of infection of this type of corn.
- Soft Corns: This type of corn is not as common. They appear in between the toes, especially between the fourth and fifth toe on the foot. They are kept moist by the sweat secreted from the foot. The appearance of this corn is soft, whitish in color and messy. There is a chance of infection for this type of corn.
Remedies to Get Rid of Corns
In the case of corns appearing on your feet, it helps to get rid of the source of the pressure/friction till it heals. Keep in mind that if you are diabetic or elderly, you may want to contact your doctor first. However, getting rid of corns is not a complicated process. There are any home remedies you can apply to get rid of corns.
1.) Epsom Salt to Remove Corns
One way to remove corns is to make use of an Epsom salt bath. This salt will help to soften the dead skin. This is best for the hard corns.
- Prepare the bath by adding a handful Epsom salts into a basin of warm water.
- Soak your feet for a minimum of 10 minutes.
- Once the skin has softened, gently rub off the top layers of the skin with a pumice stone or emery board.
- Resoak if you feel the corn had dried up and is hard again, and repeat.
- Pat your feet dry with a soft towel and moisturize it with foot cream.
- Perform this process every 2 days, for a week. Make sure never to grind down too hard, as it may only make the corn worse. Also, do not aim to remove the corn in one attempt.
2.) Castor Oil to Treat Corns
Another all-natural remedy to get rid of corns is using castor oil. It is inexpensive and easily acquired at any natural health store. In addition, the antimicrobial functions of castor oil lower risk of an infection.
- You will need a cotton swab or ball, a piece of gauze, and surgical tape.
- Wash and clean your feet well. Pat dry with a soft towel. Ensure the area of the corn is completely dry.
- Using the cotton swab, apply a thick layer of castor oil directly to the corn. Apply some around it also.
- Now, cover this area with a piece of gauze and tape it down with the surgical tape.
- Repeat this 2-3 times in a day, with new dressings each time. You may apply an extra thick layer of oil at night before bed. If the castor oil leaks, then wear an old sock over it.
3.) Get Rid of Corns with Papaya
This is another effective and natural remedy to remove corns. Papaya contains several enzymes that help to get rid of the hardened skin of corns. Use organic, unripe papaya to achieve effective results.
- Prepare the remedy by grating some of the raw papayas. Doing this will extract the juice of the papaya.
- Now thoroughly soak a cotton ball in this juice.
- Place this soaked cotton directly over the corn and secure it in place with some surgical tape. And leave this on overnight.
- In the morning, soak your feet and use a pumice stone to gently exfoliate.
- Repeat this method every day for a week, or till you achieve the desired results.
4.) Apple Cider Vinegar to Cure Corns
This method is another classic home remedy to get rid of corns on the feet. The acidity level will help to soften the hard, dead skin. In addition, apple cider vinegar contains antifungal and antibacterial properties that will fight off infection.
- Prepare a bath of hot, soapy water. Add into this one cup of organic apple cider vinegar.
- Soak your feet in this for 20-25 minutes, or until the corn is soaked and softened. Now dry your feet, apply some pure coconut oil or castor oil to moisturize.
- Repeat this every day for 10 days and at the end of the treatment, the corn should peel off.
5.) Tea and Cornstarch Remedy for Corns
Using chamomile tea and cornstarch in combination to cure corns is another classic home remedy. Use this remedy to combat soft corns. The chamomile tea will help to soothe the pain as well as temporarily change the pH of your sweaty feet. This keeps the feet dry. Cornstarch will ensure that the feet stay dry.
- Prepare a hot bath and drop some chamomile tea bags into the basin. Allow it to infuse. Once the tea water has cooled down just enough, dip your feet and soak. Let it soak for 20 minutes.
- Wash off the tea stains with warm soap and water. Now pat your feet dry.
- Sprinkle some cornstarch between your toes. This will keep the area dry, hence reducing chances of infection.
- Repeat this till the corn is cured. Remember to wear footwear that allows your feet to breathe during this time. Sandals or slip-on’s are ideal for this.
6.) Baking Soda Treatment for Corns
One other classic home remedy is baking soda. It is a natural exfoliator and so can help to get rid of corns. The antibacterial and antifungal properties of this kitchen staple help to ward off infections.
- In a bowl, mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda and a few drops of lemon juice and water to make a paste. Use equal parts of lemon juice and water.
- Use a cotton swab and apply this directly to the corn. Be careful to only apply it on the affected area.
- Cover with a bandage or a small piece of gauze and some surgical tape. Leave on overnight.
- In the morning, rinse it off with lukewarm water. Now, gently exfoliate with a pumice stone or an emery board.
- Repeat this procedure till the corn dries up and peels off.
7.) Licorice to Treat Corns Naturally
Licorice may seem like an unusual remedy to get rid of corns, but it has been shown to work. This natural remedy contains important medicinal properties that help to shrink the corns.
- Mix together 1 tablespoon of licorice powder and a few drops of mustard oil to make a paste. Apply a thick layer of this paste directly over the corn.
- Secure it with a bandage. Leave this overnight. When you wake up, rinse the area with lukewarm water.
- Repeat this every night for 7 days and see the corn shrink and become soft. Eventually, it will fall off.
8.) Lemon to Remove Corns
The application of lemon to cure corns is another classic home remedy. The citrus acid present in lemon juice softens the hard, dead skin so that the corn eventually falls off.
- Squeeze some fresh lemon juice and apply it directly to the corn. Let it air-dry. Repeat this procedure thrice every day till the corn peels off.
- Alternatively, add some fresh lemon juice to 1 teaspoon of active yeast to make a paste. Cover the corn with the paste and secure it with a piece of gauze and surgical tape.Leave this on overnight. Repeat this every day till you achieve the desired results.
9.) Get Rid of Corns with Pineapple
Using pineapple skin is another natural remedy to cure corns. It contains effective enzymes that work to soften the hard, dead skin of the corn.
- Cut a small part of the skin from a freshly peeled pineapple.
- Place the inner part of it down on the corn. Secure with a bandage.
- Leave this on overnight and then later rinse the area clean. Apply some coconut oil after.
- Repeat this every night for 7 days to achieve the desired results.
10.) Get Rid of Corns with Turpentine Oil
This method is not as common, but nonetheless another natural way to get rid of corns. It contains strong antiseptic properties, which aid to fight off infections. Turpentine oil can penetrate into the skin and speed up the healing process.
- Melt ¼ cup of some extra-virgin coconut oil. Do this in the microwave. Now add 1 teaspoon of turpentine oil into this. You may also add 2 teaspoons of camphor oil (optional). Stir to mix. Once the mixture has cooled, it will harden enough to be used as a homemade cream.
- Clean your feet well, and soak for 10 minutes. Pat dry. Now, apply the cooled mixture to the corn. Store the rest in an airtight container.
- Repeat this twice or thrice daily, till you achieve the desired results.