How to Safely Remove a Foot Corn at Home

Ifyouhaveafootcornor cornsonyourfeet,youknow how painful they can be. These hardened bumps resemble the size of kernels ofcorn,forwhichthey’reso appropriately named, and whetherthey’reonthetopof yourfeet,betweenyourtoes or on the pads of your feet, they quite painfully rub insideyourshoe.

Many sufferers have tried padding the area with no luck, knowing that after removing the pads, the irritating bumps are still there. Fortunately, they can often be safely and effectively removed right at home.

Here are some tips for treating and removing your footcornsinjustafewdays:

SoftentheCorn

The first step in removingacornissoftening thetoughened,thickbumpof dead skin. This makes it much easier for the raised skin to come off with the helpofskinfilesortofalloff onitsown.

Soak your foot in warm water

Fill your tub or a small footbathwithwarm(nothot) water Some like to use calming Epsom salts with oils or perfumes that help to relax or soften your skin. Aftera10-minutesoak,your corn should be a little softer andprimedforgentlefilling, however, people with tougher, larger corns may choosetododaily10-minute soaks for a few days to graduallysoftenthebump. Applyscent-freelotion. Lotions are also a smart way to soften your corn, providing it with nourishing moisture. This is important, as corns are dried accumulations of dead skin. Apply a scent-free lotion post-shower or bath daily until the corn can be gently filedoff.

UsevitaminEoil.

Vitamin E is a helpful vitamin for your skin and hair, and a known natural treatment for foot corns That’sbecausetheproperties ofthisvitaminhelptosoften and moisturize skin, while theantioxidantscanhelpthis foot irritation to properly heal.

Purchasedietaryvitamin E capsules and carefully breakthecapsule.UsingaQtip, rub the oil on your corn before bed Alternatively, you could also buy a vial of vitaminEoil,whichyoucan use to moisturize your skin long after the corn is removed. After applying on the corn, slip on socks and sleep overnight, repeating every evening until the corn disappears or becomes soft enoughtosafelyfileoff.

FILETHECORN

Once your corn is softened, it can be carefully filed down using a pumice stone or emery board (nail file) After a 10-minute warm water soak or gentle soap and water wipe, lightly file your corn. Oftentimes pumice stones are best for corns on the bottom pads of thefeetoronthetopofsides of toes We recommend using a fingernail file for cornsinbetweenthetoes.

When filing, be sure to only use gentle pressure. Aggressive filing can a c t u a l l y c a u s e microabrasions in your skin which are susceptible to fungus and bacteria leading to infection. Plus, removingtoomanylayersof skin can cause an open wound, which could rub open and get worse with walkingoractivity

Other Home, Natural CornRemovalRemedies

Instead of filing, some foot corn sufferers opt to try natural remedies like lemon juice, onion juice, garlic, or other home-accessible treatment options Learn moreaboutthesehomecorn remedieshere.

PADTHECORN

If you choose not to or have trouble removing a corn, you may find relief in padding the area with soft inserts.

Bywrappingorcovering the bump before wearing shoes, you can prevent painfulrubbingandpressure sothecorncanheal.

There are various corn pad options, including toe sleeves made from gel materials,corncushionsthat go around the bump (which are especially for top of feet corns),andmore.

TRYOVER-THECOUNTEROPTIONS

If at home corn removal or relief treatments just aren’t working, you might want to stop by your local pharmacytotryanover-thecounterproduct.

SalicylicAcidPads

While putting acid on your feet may sound intimidating, The Journal of Foot and Ankle Research found that salicylic acid products helped to break downtheskincellscollected in corn bumps, allowing the patients to feel less pain and reducingcornsizecompared withsimplyshavingthecorn awayatapodiatrist’soffice.

You may be surprised to learn that many exfoliating scrubs and products use salicylic acid in them already You can find corn remover pads by your pharmacy’s foot care section, which are simply placed over a corn for 48 hours or as instructed on the label.

These products are sometimes not the best option for those with sensitiveskin,assomeshow visible signs of redness or burningfromtheacidpads— a clear sign to stop use. Should salicylic acid be an irritant, The American Academy of Dermatology also notes that urea or ammonium lactate can help to gradually soften foot corns.

Medicatedlotions

Whilecornremovalpads contain high concentrations ofsalicylicacid,ammonium lactate or urea, mixing them in over-the-counter lotions canreducetheirpotencyand the associated negative side effectofacidburn.

These medicated lotions can be applied daily on the corntoslowlybreakitdown, while still nourishing the skin. Amlactin is a great fragrance-free example, usingammoniumlactate. Professional Corn

Removal&Counseling

Ifyou’vetriedanyofthe following at-home foot corn removal techniques and still can’tseemtogetridofit,our recommendation would be toconsultapodiatrist.These trained professionals can helptoremoveasmuchdead skinaspossibleandproperly bandagetheareatoheal.

It’s rare that surgery is needed, but if a corn is pressing directly on a nerve in the foot, it’s sometimes necessary.

One of the main reasons thatcornswillnotgoawayor reappear after treatment is because of improperlyfittingfootwearorotherfoot conditions, such as hammertoes or bunions, which cause excessive rubbing in your shoes. A podiatrist can also recommendproperfootwear topreventfutureirritation,or get you set up with custom orthoticsforreliefwithapreexistingcondition.

Comeinfor Cornremoval

Cornsoftenareconfused withotherfootailmentslike blisters and warts, which is why it’s important to be properly diagnosed if home treatmentsarefailing.

Make an appointment to haveyourbumpcheckedout andprofessionallyremoved, quicklyandpainlessly