How to Reduce Corns on the Feet
Corns are painful growths that form on the toes, soles or balls of the feet. The hard layers of skin begin to form into a ball shape as a means of protection from friction caused by ill-fitting shoes. A corn can make wearing shoes extremely uncomfortable, especially as the corn grows larger. Since the cause of corns is improper footwear, there is only one definite way to prevent them; however, there are a variety ways to treat and remove them.
Things You'll Need
- Raw papaya, banana, lemon, pineapple or potato
- Figs
- Bandages, string or duct tape
- Cotton balls
- Chamomile tea or Epsom salt
- Water
- Pumice stone
- Corn pads
Instructions
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1
Fill a pedicure spa or basin with hot water. Allow two or three chamomile tea bags or a small handful of Epsom salt to steep in the water for 10 minutes. Allow your feet to soak for 10 to 15 minutes. Take the affected foot out of the bath and, using medium pressure, rub the corn with a pumice stone. If you have corns on both feet, switch feet, making sure to keep the foot not being exfoliated in the water.
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2
Slice a raw papaya, banana, lemon, pineapple or potato into half-inch pieces. Secure a slice to the corn using a bandage, string or duct tape, and leave in place overnight. To further prevent the slice from slipping, wear a sock.
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3
Squeeze the juice of a fresh fig into a bowl. Dip a cotton ball in the juice and secure to the foot with a bandage. Leave in place for at least three hours or until the cotton ball is dry. The milky juice of a fig is particularly good for resistant corns that have been forming for a long period of time.
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4
Apply half a teaspoon of papaya or lemon juice to the corn three times a day. Alternatively, squeeze the juice of the fruit onto a cotton ball and secure it to the affected area until the cotton ball is dry.
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5
Wear corn pads, which are sold commercially, on top of corns to ease the pain.
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Tips & Warnings
To guard your feet against unnecessary friction caused by improperly fitting shoes, choose shoes that will not rub your feet, especially on the sides of the toes and the backs of the heels.
If your shoes do rub your feet, you can wear corn pads to prevent corns and calluses from forming.
