Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 4: Basic Home Treatment
• Part 2 of 4: Medical Home Treatment
• Part 3 of 4: Alternative remedies
• Part 4 of 4: Professional medical treatment
• Warnings
• Necessities

Corns develop on the toes as a result of pressure and friction. You can remove the corns from your toes by softening them and gradually exfoliating the dead skin. However, you should proceed with caution to avoid making the problem worse.

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Part 1 of 4: Basic Home Treatment

1. Wear comfortable shoes. Corns are the result of pressure and friction on the toes. Tight, uncomfortable shoes can therefore be the cause. One of the most important things you can do to prevent corns and / or minimize the severity of already present corns is to wear shoes that do not put pressure on the toes
   • Ideally, you would usually wear shoes that also allow you to wear socks. The socks can act as a cushion, minimizing the friction that can cause and aggravate corns
   • Avoid high-heeled shoes, especially those with pointed tips.
2. Relieve the pressure by using toe spreaders. Once you are home and take off your shoes, you can further relieve the pressure on your toes by inserting foam toe spreaders between the toes.
   • You can also try wearing special foam slippers or sandals. Wedges are placed between the toes, so that they are spread. This way you prevent the toes from rubbing together while moving.
3. Apply foot powder between the toes. Foot powder can absorb the moisture. As a result, the corns on your toes are less likely to become irritated or inflamed
   • Sprinkle the foot powder over and between the toes before putting on your socks and shoes in the morning. You can reapply the foot powder if necessary if you feel the skin between the toes getting sweaty.
4. Gently scrub the thickened skin with pumice stone. Soak your feet in lukewarm water with soap for about 20 minutes to soften the skin. Then gently scrub the corn with a pumice stone to remove some of the roughest skin on the surface of the corn.
   • You can also choose to use a nail file instead of a pumice stone. When the corn begins to develop between the toes, it can be quite difficult to reach with a pumice stone. In that case it is better to opt for a nail file.
5. Reduce any discomfort with ice. If the swelling and discomfort persists, apply a cold compress or ice pack to the area for a few minutes. This way you can numb the pain and limit the swelling.
   • The ice will not help heal the corn itself, but it can be used to treat the pain caused by severe corns.

Part 2 of 4: Medical Home Treatment

1. Try over-the-counter ointments or drops. Most over-the-counter treatments contain a minimal concentration of salicylic acid. This acid dissolves the protein keratin responsible for the corn. It also helps destroy the thick, crusty layer of skin on the corn.
   • One downside to these over-the-counter treatments is that the acid can also damage healthy skin. So, if you are too eager for such treatments, you run the risk of doing more harm than good
   • Acid should not be used in diabetics, people with thin skin or reduced skin sensation
   • Always follow the instructions on the packaging carefully.
2. Use a corn patch. These patches provide the corn with a cushion - so that the corn is not further irritated - and also contain a small concentration of salicylic acid - so that the corn is treated.
   • The best corn patches are ring-shaped. They provide the corn with a cushion, so that the corn retains enough moisture to remain soft. This relieves the discomfort.
   • Because many of these plasters and bandages act as an acid treatment, you should not use them in combination with other methods. If you need to cover up the corns after applying a different method, make sure to use a corn patch that doesn't contain salicylic acid - or use a regular patch.

Part 3 of 4: Alternative remedies

1. Soften the corn with castor oil. By softening the corns on your toes, you can reduce the pain and the discomfort. It also makes it easier to exfoliate the area affected by the corn.
   • Apply the castor oil with a cotton ball. Let the oil sit on the corns for three or four minutes before rinsing it off again. Then exfoliate the area.
   • Repeat this three times a day.
2. Soak the corns in Epsom salt. Instead of soaking your toes in normal water, you can add some Epsom or coarse sea salt to speed up the process.
   • Coarse salt also acts as a mild abrasive. So soaking your feet in salt water can soften the corns as well as exfoliate some of the dead, dry skin cells.
   • Dissolve 1/2 cup (125ml) of Epsom salt in eight liters of warm water. Soak your feet in this salty water for twenty or thirty minutes.
   • When you are done, you can scrub the corns with a pumice stone. Try to exfoliate as much of the dead skin as possible.
3. Apply crushed aspirin. Aspirin is a source of salicylic acid. You can crush an aspirin and apply topically to the corns. This way you can dissolve some of the protein that makes up the corn, as well as the dead skin on the corn.
   • Crush an aspirin and mix it with a few drops of water to make a gritty paste.
   • Apply this paste on the corns on the toes. Let it sit for five to ten minutes before rinsing and drying the area.
4. Make a baking soda paste. A paste of baking soda, lime juice, and water can help speed up the recovery process.
   • Mix a few drops of lime juice with a little water and a teaspoon of baking soda. Mix the ingredients well until a paste forms and apply to the corns. Cover the area with a band-aid and rinse it off in the morning. The corn should dry out on its own within four to six days.
   • You can also dissolve 2-3 tablespoons of baking soda in a warm bath. Soak your feet in the water for 15, 20 minutes. Then scrub the corns on the toes with a pumice stone.
   • You can also mix the baking soda with a few drops of water to make a paste. Apply this paste on the corns, cover the corns with a band-aid and let it sit overnight. Wash the mixture off again in the morning.
5. Try soaking the corns in chamomile tea. Chamomile can provide relief from the discomfort, while drying up the sweat between the toes and adjusting the pH of the skin - helping the recovery process.
   • You can hold a wet, warm tea bag of chamomile tea against the corns - this can take one to three hours.
   • Otherwise, you can choose to soak your feet in a small bucket of diluted chamomile tea — soak your feet for about 15-20 minutes.
   • When you are done with either method, try removing the corn with a pumice stone or nail file.
6. Dab some diluted vinegar on the corn. Vinegar is an astringent, which can cause the skin to dry out and die faster. This allows you to scrub the dead skin off with a pumice stone or nail file.
   • Dilute the vinegar by keeping three parts water to one part vinegar.
   • Apply the vinegar solution to the corns and then cover it with bandages or bandages. Let it sit all night.
   • In the morning you can exfoliate the thickened skin with a pumice stone or file.
7. Apply mashed papaya. Papaya can provide relief from the pain and discomfort the corns bring.Often it can also help dry out the corn, causing it to fall off more quickly.
   • Cut open a papaya and use a fork to mash the flesh. Apply this pureed papaya directly on the corns and cover with a bandage or bandage. Let it sit all night.
   • You can exfoliate the corn again in the morning. Using this method can eventually cause the corns to fall off on their own.
8. Use green fig juice and mustard oil. Green fig juice can soften the corns, making them easier to remove. Mustard oil can help kill bacteria that could otherwise cause infections.
   • Apply the green fig juice first. Dab a small amount on the corn with a cotton ball. Let the juice dry on the skin.
   • When the green fig juice is dry, you can apply a little mustard oil, also with a cotton ball. This can help fight bacterial infections that could occur if the skin has become dry and open as a result of the exfoliation.
9. Make a mixture of turmeric, aloe and bromelain. This mixture will soften the skin affected by corns, making the corn easier to remove.
   • Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory agent that can relieve discomfort; aloe vera has whole properties; Bromelain is a pineapple extract with astringent properties. If you can't find bromelain, use tea tree oil.
   • Mix equal parts of ground turmeric, aloe gel, and bromelain to make a paste. Apply this paste on the corns, cover with a plesiter and let it sit overnight. In the morning, you can wash the mixture off the skin and use pumice stone to scrub the corns.

Part 4 of 4: Professional medical treatment

1. Have insoles made to measure. Professionally tailored insoles can give feet the right protection and cushioning they need. This will help the corns on your toes heal faster and prevent more corns from developing in the future.
   • You can also use standard gel insoles, but custom insoles are a lot more effective. Ask the podiatrist about this and view the policy conditions of your health insurance to see whether insoles are reimbursed
2. Ask for a prescription topical cream / ointment. Prescription drugs often contain a higher concentration of salicylic acid than their over-the-counter siblings. In addition, many prescription drugs contain other, stronger acid combinations to achieve the same goal.
   • Acid treatments should not be used in diabetics, people with thin skin and / or reduced skin sensation.
   • Other acids that can be used in the treatment of corns include trichloroacetic acid and a combination of salicylic acid, lactic acid and collodine.
   • Follow the package instructions carefully to avoid accidental skin damage around the corn.
3. Take a course of antibiotics to treat infected corns. If the corns on your toes become infected, you may need to use antibiotics to treat the infection.
   • Know that oral or topical antibiotics will only be prescribed if the corn is infected. Antibiotics will have no effect on the corn itself and will only fight the infection.
4. Ask a podiatrist about removing hardened skin. While under no circumstances should you shave or cut the corn off yourself, you could have it done by a professional foot doctor (a podiatrist) if circumstances warrant it.
   • The podiatrist will numb the area and cut off the thickened piece of corn with a very sharp thin blade. The treatment is painless and safe when performed by a professional. It can limit the overall inconvenience and speed up the recovery process
5. Investigate surgery. If you regularly get corns on your toes, the podiatrist can recommend surgical treatment that can correct the position of the bones in the toes. This reduces the pressure on the toes and corns will develop a lot less quickly.
   • Corns can develop when the bones in the toes grow at an angle, causing them to rub together more quickly. Surgical treatment can realign these bones, making them straighter and making the toes less likely to rub together.

Warnings

• Do not try the home treatments if you have diabetes, atherosclerosis, or any other circulatory disorder.
• Never try to scrape or cut the corn. That way you don't solve the underlying problem. You also run an increased risk of bacterial infection.

Necessities

• Comfortable shoes
• Socks
• Foam rubber sandals or flip flops
• Foot powder
• Pumice stone
• A nail file
• Ice
• Over-the-counter ointment, drops, patches, and the like
• Castor oil
• Epsom salt
• Baking soda
• Water
• Chamomile tea
• Vinegar
• Papaya
• Green fig juice
• Mustard oil
• Turmeric
• Aloe
• Bromelain or tea tree oil
• Local treatments with a doctor's prescription
• Antibiotics