How to Treat Corns with Salicylic Acid
Many over-the-counter medications to treat corns contain salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is good for treating corns because it softens the dead skin on a corn and makes it easy to be removed by rubbing or trimming it off. Nonprescription corn treatments containing salicylic acid are relatively inexpensive and generally speaking cause little to no pain. If you have a corn and want to remove it, using a product containing salicylic acid is one way to do so.
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Instructions
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1
Put a doughnut cushion over the corn so that the corn is showing through the hole. This will protect the rest of your skin from the salicylic acid as it can damage healthy skin.
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2
Apply the salicylic acid through the hole in the doughnut cushion so that it only gets on your corn. Apply the salicylic acid according to the instructions on the medication. Apply the salicylic acid as often as the instructions suggest before trying to remove your corn.
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3
Trim and peel away the dead tissue with nail clippers once you see that the salicylic acid has turned skin white. You can also try rubbing the dead tissue off.
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4
Repeat Steps 1-3 until you are able to completely remove your corn.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Only apply the salicylic acid to your corn, not to the tissue surrounding it. Follow the instructions on the salicylic acid product you've chosen. How often and how to apply it can vary from product to product. If your corn becomes too tender then stop using the medication for a few days before resuming treatment. If your corn gets painful and your symptoms do not improve after two weeks, see your doctor before trying to treat the corn any further.
People with diabetes should not use over-the-counter salicylic acid corn medications without consulting their doctor first. Rarely, salicylic acid can cause scarring, so it's something to consider before using a salicylic acid product. Some doctors advise patients not to use salicylic acid because of the damage it can do the skin surrounding a corn.
