Best Treatments for Corns and Calluses

Best Treatments for Corns and Calluses

Corns and calluses are patches of thick, hardened skin that develop in areas of the body where there is a lot of pressure and friction. They often develop on the soles of the feet and the sides of the big and small toes, especially in people who spend a lot of time on their feet or wear unpadded footwear.

Anyone can get corns and calluses. Healthy people who get them can usually treat them with simple home remedies. However, people with diabetes or other conditions should approach them with caution because they can be at risk of developing complications like chronic wounds if not treated properly.

This article looks at the best treatments for corns and calluses, including home remedies and over-the-counter medications.

Home Remedies for Corns and Calluses

Corns and calluses often respond to home remedies and may not warrant a visit to the podiatrist.

Home remedies include:

Soaking your feet in warm water: Warm soapy water can help soften the thick, calloused skin and make it easier to slough off. Makes sure to soak your feet for at least an hour for this remedy to work.

Apply petroleum jelly or lotion: Apply a generous amount of petroleum jelly or thick cream to your feet every morning and evening. The moisturizer will soften any rough skin areas.

Put corn pads on your toes: Corn pads are donut-shaped pads that you stick on your toe to provide padding, especially in shoes that lack padding. But do not use the pads that have acid discs. They can irritate healthy skin.

Buffer down the corns and calluses: Pumice stones have a fine rough surface that makes them ideal for buffering down rough skin patches without taking out too much skin. Avoid using commercial rasps or files as these often take out too much skin.

Medical Remedies for Corns and Calluses

If the home remedies above do not provide satisfactory results, you can consider some of the medical treatments below:

Trimming by a foot specialist: Your foot specialist will trim excess thick, rough, and hardened skin using special tools to reveal the more supple skin beneath.

Foot surgery: In some cases, corns and calluses might be caused by misaligned foot bones. In such cases, surgically correcting the foot structure is the best way to treat the corns and calluses permanently.

Last Words

Treating corns and calluses can be as simple as just purchasing a new pair of shoes. If the shoes fit well and are well-padded, you might just say a permanent goodbye to corns and calluses.

However, it might take more than a change in footwear for most people to get rid of corns and calluses, which is where home remedies and medical treatments come in.

However, if you have diabetes, it is best to speak with your podiatrist on the best treatments and remedies for corns and calluses.