Fortunately, there are a number of home treatments for corns and calluses that can help you relieve the pain and get rid of them. But first, let’s take a look at what corns and calluses are before we get into the home remedies. This will help you learn how they form and what you can do to prevent them from forming again. In this article, we have discussed corns and calluses and everything about them. Keep reading to know more!
What Are Corns And Calluses?
When the skin experiences excessive and regular pressure, it thickens in response to this pressure. This small area of the skin that thickens is called a corn. Corns are usually round and can be painful. When the corn is exposed to moisture (from sweat), it is soft to touch. Such corns are seen in between the fourth and fifth toes on the feet, and they can easily get infected. A harder corn is seen on the outer and upper parts of the toes and fingers (1). Calluses, on the other hand, are larger than corns and don’t have a properly defined outline. These are usually formed on the sole, i.e. the underside of your feet. When you walk, this part of your feet is under the pressure of your body weight. As a result, calluses can form and can or cannot be painful (1).Calluses can also form in the hands of laborers who handle hard-surfaced, heavy instruments.
Home Remedies For Corns And Calluses
There are numerous home remedies to remove corns and calluses from feet, but it is best to use multiple remedies simultaneously if you want to get rid of them quickly.
1. Castor Oil
Castor oil Apply castor oil on the corn thrice a day. Repeat this every day until the corn disappears. This home remedy has been used for centuries. The oil softens the corn and makes it disappear eventually (2). This method to treat corns is one of the best home remedies as it is quick. You will notice results in just three to four days. Do not apply castor oil on broken skin.
2. Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid liquid/gel Pumice stone Warm water
Repeat this once or twice a day for about two weeks. Salicylic acid breaks the bond between the skin cells that have accumulated at the site of the corn or callus. It slowly starts to dissolve the corn by increasing the amount of moisture in that area (3).
3. Pumice Stone
Warm water Pumice stone
Do this every day so that the corn heals faster. As corn is dead skin, it is best to try and remove it by rubbing the affected part of your foot or hand with a pumice stone.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar
Warm water 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar 1-2 drops tea tree oil Cotton ball
Use this home remedy for foot corns every day and you will notice that the corn will come off in two to three days. Apple cider vinegar exfoliates the dead skin cells and softens the corns and calluses. It is also antibacterial in nature and will kill any bacteria that may be lurking around near the affected area (4).
5. Epsom Salt Foot Soak
1 cup Epsom salt Warm water Small basin Pumice stone or callus file
Do this daily after your shower for a few days. Epsom salt is commonly used as an exfoliant. It also soothes the skin and relieves pain. Its antibacterial properties are an added benefit (5).
6. Baking Soda
1 tablespoon baking soda 1 tablespoon water 1 teaspoon lime juice (optional)
If you are using this paste on your toes, place cotton balls between your toes to keep them separated. Do this every night for five to seven days. It will help the corn to dry and flake. Like Epsom salt, baking soda also exfoliates the dead skin cells from the corn and callus (6). It is an antiseptic and will keep the area infection-free (7). Ensure that the paste should not touch any other part of your skin. Otherwise, it will dry up your healthy skin.
7. Garlic
A garlic clove Crepe bandage
Do this every night. Within a few days, your corn will disappear. Garlic is used as a home remedy for a number of ailments, including corns. This is one of the most effective home remedies to remove corns that can be best used at nights. A recent clinical trial showed that garlic causes effective removal of the corn tissue from the body (8).
8. Turpentine Oil
Turpentine oil Clean cloth Ice cube
Do this several times a day. Eventually, the corn will dry up and flake off. Use rectified turpentine oil for this particular home remedy. This oil is a rubefacient, i.e., it increases the blood circulation. It also soothes the skin and reduces irritation (9).
9. Papaya
Papaya Apply a small piece of papaya on the affected area and leave it overnight. If you find it difficult to apply the piece of papaya, you can dab fresh papaya juice on the corn. Repeat every night until the corn falls off. Papaya has long been known for its healing properties. It also has the ability to slough off skin. This is due to the enzyme papain that is found in papaya (10). So, it makes perfect sense to use it on the corn.
10. Licorice
4 licorice sticks Mustard oil
Do this every night for a few days to remove calluses and foot corns. Licorice is known to have healing properties. Its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial attributes prove to be beneficial in treating corns and calluses (11, 12).
11. Turmeric
1 tablespoon turmeric powder 1-1 1/2 tablespoons honey
Apply this paste twice a day. You will notice the corn reducing in size in about two to three days. This is an Asian home remedy to heal corns and can be quite effective. Turmeric’s healing and antimicrobial properties, along with the soothing properties of honey, will heal the corn in just a few days (13, 14).
12. Pineapple
Pineapple Bandage
Do this every night. You will notice the corn disappearing in a week or so. This tropical fruit can prove to be an effective home remedy for corns on feet. Not only will it help to alleviate the pain, but will also hasten the healing. The enzyme bromelain present in pineapple will dissolve the corn/callus (15).
13. Vitamin E
Vitamin E capsule A cotton sock A needle
Repeat this every night before going to bed until the corn naturally heals. The oil softens the corn and aids in its fast removal (16).
14. Aspirin
A few aspirin tablets Water Gauze or bandage Pumice stone
Repeat the process every day until the corn disappears. You should see results in about two weeks. Besides curing headaches, aspirin can also help in removing painful corns and calluses. This home remedy is a simple corn and callus softening agent (17). The salicylic acid present in aspirin will dissolve the corns and calluses easily (3). Do not use this remedy if you are allergic to aspirin.
15. Lemon
A lemon slice Bandage
Continue the application of lemon until there is no trace of the corn. The acidity of lemon is a great home remedy to get rid of corns. It helps to alleviate the discomfort, and you will also notice the corn reducing in size in a few days (18).
16. Onion
Onion slice Gauze
Do this every day and you will notice results in a week’s time. Onion is a simple home remedy to treat calluses and corns. Its antioxidants enhance the healing process of these annoying growths on the skin (19). It has been shown to reduce the appearance of scars on the skin, and this property will be beneficial when the callus or corn has healed (20). It will ensure that no marks or scars are left behind.
17. Bread
A piece of bread White vinegar Gauze
You will notice a substantial difference in the corn or callus by the morning. Repeat this for a night or two more to completely remove the corn. The vinegar in the bread softens the calluses and corns, and they can be simply rubbed off in the morning (21).
18. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil Apply it on the affected area, ensuring that you massage it well into your skin. Reapply thrice a day. Coconut oil is a wonderful skin moisturizer (22). Once your skin turns supple and soft, it will be easy to remove the corn with a pumice stone.
19. Oatmeal Soak
1/2 cup oatmeal Water
Repeat this twice a day. We all know that oatmeal works as an excellent exfoliating agent and can be soothing for the skin (23). So, using it to treat the corn should produce desirable results. Make sure it is not too hot or you may end up scalding your skin. Don’t let the hardened skin of corns and calluses mar the beauty of your hands and feet. Take care of them with the right home remedies to keep the skin soft and supple. Here are a few frequently asked questions regarding corns and calluses. Preventing Corns And Calluses Follow these tips to prevent corns and calluses from forming on your feet:
Buy well-fitting footwear that does not put excess pressure on any part of your feet. An insole made of micro-cellular rubber (MCR) would be especially beneficial if you get frequent corns. Avoid shoes that have pointed toes or high heels if you are prone to getting corns and calluses. Discard old shoes from time to time. Use protective covering, such as pads, on areas on the foot where corns and calluses are likely to form. For hands, use padded gloves while handling tools. Make it a point to wash your feet and hands with soap and water every evening.
These measures will prevent the recurrence of corns and calluses. What Are The Causes Of Corns? There are many reasons for the development of corns on your hands or feet. Usually, they form due to pressure on the skin’s surface. Corns are more prevalent on the feet than hands, and often develop due to incorrect footwear. Some of the causes of corns include:
Wearing Footwear Without Socks – If you have a habit of wearing sandals or shoes without socks, it’s time to change. Socks protect your skin from the rough and firm materials that sandals and shoes are made from, preventing friction and thus corns. Badly Fitting Shoes – If your shoes are too tight, they will exert pressure on certain parts of your feet, leading to the development of corns. On the other hand, if your shoes are loose, your feet will move around inside the shoes, causing friction. High heels are a major cause of corns among women as they exert uneven pressure on the feet Manual Labor – If you are the kind of person who uses hand tools or lifts heavy materials regularly, you are at a higher risk of developing corns on your hands due to friction. Participating In Athletic Events – If you regularly participate in athletic events, you will develop corns due to excessive pressure on certain parts of your feet as well as hands. Abnormal Structure Of Bones – If you have an abnormal bone structure, it can cause pressure or friction when wearing shoes, resulting in corns. Imperfect Functioning Of The Feet – Certain health conditions, such as scoliosis, result in flawed working of the feet, causing uneven distribution of weight. This can lead to the development of corns.
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Corns And Calluses? If you notice small, hard, and thick areas on or between your toes, they definitely are corns. If the corn occurs on a nerve or exerts pressure on the surrounding nerves, you will also experience pain. Some of the symptoms of corns include:
Hard rough areas on the skin Tenderness under the skin Dry or waxy skin Elevated, thick bumps on your skin
Corns usually have a firm, hard center and can be painful. If you are diabetic or experience pain, it is best to consult a doctor rather than opting for home remedies. You may require specialized treatment. Are Corns And Calluses The Same Thing? No, they are not. Calluses are larger in size than corns and are found in areas on the foot that bear the weight of the body. Corns also have a hardened center, which is not seen in calluses. When Should I See A Podiatrist About It? If you are experiencing a lot of pain and discomfort because of the corn or callus, it is recommended to visit your podiatrist so that he/she can surgically remove the corn. Does removing a corn leave a hole? Possibly. Once the hard center part of the corn is removed (also known as enucleation), you may notice a dimple-like impression on the affected tissue. Do foot corns have roots? No. Foot corns have a hardened center but no roots. Do corns grow back after removal? Yes. If the affected area is continually exposed to irritation, pressure, or friction, you may experience corns again.
