What is a Home Remedy for Corns & Calluses?
Corns and calluses are rough, thick skin that hardens as a way to protect your feet from rubbing and pressure. Not only can corns and calluses look bad, but they can also be painful to live with. If you catch a corn or callus in its early stage, removing the source of pressure can help the problem disappear on its own.
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Take a Soak
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Soak feet in warm water and a combination of your favorite softening oils (olive, wheat germ, castor, sesame) to soften corns and calluses. Tea, Epsom salt and lemon juice also act as softening agents when added to a basin of warm water.
Foot Rub
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Apply a generous amount of your favorite softening oil to dry, achy feet and massage thoroughly before covering feet with old socks or a plastic bag wrapped in a warm towel. Sleep with socks overnight for best effect, or keep feet wrapped in a plastic bag for at least 10 minutes.
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Scrub Away
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One of the best ways to work away unsightly corns and calluses is to take a barefoot walk on a wet, sandy beach. If sand isn't available, soak feet for at least 15 minutes and use a pumice stone or callus file to remove the top layer of skin before applying a thick layer of lotion or softening oil.
Use a Separator
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Using a toe separator, cotton ball, bandage or gauze to keep the two friction points separated is one of the easiest ways to reduce the size of a painful corn.
See Your Doctor
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If all else fails, it may be time to see your physician. He can recommend medical treatments such as trimming, salicylic acid pads, prescription show inserts and possibly surgery if the problem is cause by a bone deformation.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit circle of feet image by Sara Bassani from Fotolia.com
