How to Treat Corns

Hard corns usually develop over bony prominences on the feet, principally over toe joints. Corns are a sort of horny callus, generally pea-sized, that can ache and be tender with pressure.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Children's Sandals
• Men's Sandals
• Women's Sandals
• Adhesive Bandages
• Callus/corn Treatments
• Cushioned Shoe Insoles
• Foot Buffers
• Foot Lotions
• Foot Powders
• Pedicure Kits
• Adhesive Bandages

1. Apply a lotion containing cocoa butter, vitamin E or lanolin to soften the corn. This may aid in diminishing the corn's size or eliminating it.

2. Use nonmedicated corn plasters on corns to protect painful spots on the toes when you're wearing shoes. Always remove plasters carefully, so as not to damage surrounding tissue, and never wear the same plaster longer than one day.

3. Soak the affected foot in warm water for a while to soften the corn, then run a pumice stone or stick or an emery board across the corn. Pumice helps to abrade away the horny callus surface.

4. As another option, consider applying a keratolytic agent to remove horny corn tissue, choosing either a 17 percent salicylic acid solution in collodion or 40 percent salicylic acid plasters. Remove the agent with warm water, and blot the foot dry. Apply a 5 percent or 10 percent salicylic acid ointment, then place an adhesive bandage over the corn. Repeat this once or twice a week until the corn becomes loose enough to be dislodged easily.

5. Use a corn pad. Its oval opening forces a corn to bulge into the hole and displaces pressure in the area. Horseshoe-shaped corn pads are the most effective, as they protect against external pressure without creating new pressure.

6. Wear shoes with plenty of toe room'enough space so that you can freely wiggle your toes around inside.

Tips & Warnings

• If you detect any redness around the corn, stop using any corn medication until normal coloring returns.
• If the corn looks too advanced for you to deal with on your own, consult a physician.
• If you have certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or circulatory problems, consult a physician before self-treating foot problems. If you choose to treat yourself, you may develop ulcerations or other problems.
• Never try to use a razor on a corn.
• This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

[just4penny]

on 8/17/2009 I have had corns (5 on left feet and 3 on other ) for 25 + years. I hate my feet and can't wear cute sandals because I'm embarrassed. I have tried everything nothing works for me! So frustrated, what am I doing wrong? Somebody please help

[leeannsayster]

on 3/2/2007 nursetobe if you find the solution to this please pass it on to me. have had this problem for 5 years now!

[nursetobe]

on 1/9/2007 after using the salicylic acid patch was the corn like a whitish color? The patch did remove my corns, but the color of the area treated is lighter than the surrounding skin. do any of you have suggestions that would make the area treated go back to its original color?

on 12/20/2005 I have had corns for twenty years, finally they are gone. I used the old fashioned circular patch with salicylic acid which you buy with the material plasters. However, instead of using the material plasters, I bought the new non-medicated gel plasters for corns and put this over the circular patch. It stayed on for days and is waterproof, so the little patches really got to work the corn out. It took 3 days and was painless. Hooray!

on 11/22/2005 I had never had a problem with corns until I bought a pair of WalMart shoes. Even though they are by Dr. Shoals with the gel inside, the fact that they are flat is what made my corns develop. You don't necessarily have to spend tons of money on a shoe, just make sure it curves to your foot correctly.