Corns on the feet, also known as calluses, are thickened areas of skin that have become tight and hard due to repeated prolonged rubbing, pressure, or other irritation.
Usually calluses develop on the feet, especially on the soles and bottom of the big toe. They may also appear on the hands, fingers, or anywhere else on the body that experiences repeated friction. Calluses and calluses are benign skin changes that do not increase the risk of skin cancer or other serious conditions.
Corns and calluses: the nature of their appearance
Corns on the feet are usually caused by constant rubbing of dry skin in a specific area. For example, tight high-heeled shoes are their main "helper". It is worth noting that this kind of foot deformity can also occur as a result of wearing shoes without socks. In addition, people with diabetes or conditions that cause poor blood flow to the feet are at greater risk of developing calluses.
In addition to thickening the skin, corns on the feet are also characterized by peeling and yellowing of the skin. They are usually painless and less sensitive to the environment than he althy skin. However, sometimes calluses can cause discomfort while walking when a lot of pressure is applied to the area. Although this problem is usually not serious, it can lead to other problems: on the legs, they are dangerous in that they increase the risk of infection, pain, and swelling are possible.
Symptoms and signs of calluses and corns include:
- densification of the skin layer;
- flaking and dryness in the area of corns;
- pain or, conversely, decreased sensitivity of the affected area.
The main task of the funds aimed at the treatment of the damaged area is to chemically cleanse the thickened, dead skin. For this, most foot creams for corns and corns are based on a special ingredient. Its name is salicylic acid.
Why do corns appear on the legs
Because we expose our feet to potential injury every day in our daily lives while walking, people have always experienced different types of foot pain. Blisters, calluses and corns are among the most common discomforts resulting from constant walking.
Corns and calluses are irritating and painful conditions that form as a result of thickening of the skin in places of increased pressure. Medical term to describethe thickened skin that forms them is hyperkeratosis.
As mentioned above, any activity that leads to increased friction can lead to the development of calluses or corns - these unpleasant phenomena affect people of all ages, but it is worth noting that they are especially common in people over 65 years of age. In the course of research, it was found that about 20-65% of people at this age suffer from a similar problem. Some of the risk factors:
- anomalies in the anatomy of the feet or legs;
- anomalies in the functioning of the musculoskeletal system;
- poorly matched shoes;
- working under high pressure and high friction on certain areas of the skin (for example, common among gardeners or horticultural workers).
While calluses are a temporary reaction to short-term pressure and friction (for example, they result from wearing new shoes, which subsequently cease to be tight and, accordingly, put pressure on the foot, legs and fingers), they serve protective mechanism. In turn, corns often occur as a result of the development of anomalies of the musculoskeletal system and changes in the structure of the bones and joints of the legs.
Thus, turning to treatment at home, a person independently and consciously puts himself at risk. Remember that self-medication can be hazardous to he alth, while consultation with a specialist is never. So, if none of the options listed below can help you, be sure to contact your doctor or orthopedist.
Remove corns at home: 10 best home remedies
Often, simply removing the source of friction or pressure is enough for unwanted growths to go away on their own. However, do not neglect home-made remedies for corns on the legs. Here are the top 10 tricks to deal with nasty corns.
Method 1: Leg steaming
One of the easiest ways to treat - foot baths for corns. Let your feet "soak" hot water mixed with Epsom s alt.
This will help soften the hardened area, thereby preventing infection. So, step by step instructions for the procedure:
- Put some hot water in the tub and add a handful of Epsom s alt. Mix thoroughly.
- Soak your feet in this solution for 10 minutes.
- Apply the affected area in circular motions with a pumice stone for several minutes.
- Rinse with clean water to remove dead skin cells.
- Dry and rub feet with foot lotion.
Repeat as needed until complete recovery.
Method 2: Apple Cider Vinegar
The answer to the question of how to remove corns onfeet, nature itself knows! Apple cider vinegar is one of the best remedies for treating corns. The acidic environment helps soften the skin and speed up the healing process.
- Soak a cotton swab in apple cider vinegar and place it on the area with corns before going to bed.
- Leave it overnight.
- Exfoliate the affected area with a pumice stone the next morning.
- To moisturize the area, apply a small amount of olive or coconut oil.
Repeat the procedure once a day until the callus disappears.
Method 3: Baking Soda
Baking soda works as a natural exfoliator, making it a very good helper in the fight against corns. The crystals in baking soda help to exfoliate hardened skin. So how do you get rid of corns on your feet with baking soda?
- Add three tablespoons of baking soda to a bowl filled with warm water.
- Stir well and soak your feet in the bath for at least 10 minutes.
- Wash your feet and scrub softened skin with a pumice stone.
Baking soda is a universal remedy for corns on the feet. It is not necessary to use it in baths: you can make a scrub.
His recipe is extremely simple: dilute three tablespoons of soda with one tablespoon of water and wipe the affected skin area with this solution. Follow the procedure until the dead skin cells are completely gone.
Method 4: Aspirin
Treatment of corns on the legs at home is a mattersimple. Aspirin can help soften the skin around the corn. In addition, it can relieve the discomfort caused by constant pressure on the skin.
- Crush five or six aspirins to powder.
- Add half a teaspoon of lemon juice and a few drops of water to the powder and mix well.
- Apply this paste to the affected area and cover it with a plastic bag.
- Wrap it in a warm towel.
- Please wait 10 minutes.
- Rinse off the mixture with warm water.
- Don't forget to scrape off dead skin cells with a pumice stone.
Repeat the procedure daily for several days.
Method 5: Bread and Vinegar
Another very effective way to treat corns on the feet is a mixture of bread and distilled vinegar. This paste helps to soften tight skin and also reduce the risk of infection.
- Soak your feet in warm water and then rub the affected area with a pumice stone.
- Clean and dry your feet.
- Soak half a slice of bread in 1.5 cups of distilled white vinegar.
- Place the soaked bread over the corn and wrap it with a bandage.
- Leave her overnight.
- The next morning, remove the bandage and apply a moisturizing lotion over the affected area.
Repeat every night until you get the desired result.
Method 6: Lemon
For the treatment of corns, you can use both lemon juice and lemon peel. Its acidic nature will help speed up the healing of corns byfeet at home. In addition, it will help relieve discomfort.
Simply soak a cotton pad in freshly squeezed lemon juice and apply it to the affected area. Secure it with a bandage and leave overnight. Replace the cotton swab with a new one the next morning. Continue until there is no trace of a corn on the foot.
How to treat corns on the feet with lemon peel? Place a small piece of peel over the corn. Place a bandage around the zest to secure it in place. Leave the bandage on overnight. The next morning, replace the piece of zest with a new one. Repeat daily and the corn will soon disappear.
Method 7: Onions
Onions are sour in nature, so they are very effective for treating corns on the toes. In addition, it has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Sprinkle a few drops of lemon juice and some s alt on a thick onion slice.
- Place the onion slice over the affected area.
- Secure with tape and leave overnight.
Repeat daily for a week to remove corns with ease. And here is another option for treating this problem with onions:
- Cut one small onion in half and soak it in white vinegar (soak for three to four hours).
- Place the finished slice on the callus and wrap the foot in a plastic bag.
- Leave overnight.
- The next morning cleanse the deadpumice stone skin cells.
Do this every day for a week.
Method 8: Castor Oil
Natural oil such as castor oil is also a good treatment for corns on the feet with a rod. Its thick consistency does a great job of moisturizing dry, rough skin, making it more pliable during anti-calf treatments.
- Soak your feet in warm water for 10 minutes and then rub the area with a pumice stone.
- Cover the affected area with a cotton swab soaked in castor oil.
- Fix the cotton swab with a bandage.
Continue moisturizing daily with other corn treatments until they disappear.
To combine hydration and castor oil treatment, mix equal parts castor oil and apple cider vinegar in a bowl. Heat the mixture until it is warm. Soak your feet in it for at least 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water and then remove any remaining dead skin using a pumice stone. Do this once a day for three or four days.
Method 9: Sea S alt
If there is corns on the sole of your foot, and sea s alt is lying around at home, then rather use it for treatment! It works like a natural scrub, does a great job of removing dead dry skin. This, in turn, helps repair skin that has suffered from calluses for a long time.
- Mix equal amounts of sea s alt and olive oil.
- Soak your feet in warm water.
- Gently rub the paste in a circular motion, leave on the affected area for a few minutes.
- Rinse your feet with warm water and dry.
- Apply moisturizer, lotion or oil.
Use this treatment daily until the calluses are completely healed.
Method 10: Chamomile
Chamomile is another popular remedy for corns on the toes. This herb has a soothing effect on the skin, and its anti-inflammatory properties help reduce discomfort.
- Make one to two cups of chamomile tea.
- Fill a small foot bath with water and add the prepared tea to it.
- Soak your feet in this soothing water for 10 minutes.
Repeat for several days in the evening before bed.
You can also make a mixture of one teaspoon of dried chamomile, one teaspoon of lemon juice and one crushed head of garlic. Mix well and apply the mixture on the affected area. Repeat once or twice a day until the corns are gone.
Extra Tips
The development of calluses and corns can be prevented by eliminating conditions that cause increased pressure on certain points on the hands and feet.
People with sensitive skin or poor circulation in the legs (including many people with conditions such as diabetes or peripheralarterial disease) should definitely consult with their doctor as soon as corns or corns appear on their feet.
- Never try to remove calluses by cutting them as this increases the risk of infection.
- Be sure to wear comfortable shoes. If it is tight or does not fit properly, replace it immediately.
- Wear shoes made from natural materials such as leather.
- Sprinkle the inside of your boots with a little cornstarch. This will help keep your feet dry and also prevent the risk of infection.
- Avoid heels whenever possible.
- Avoid wearing shoes without socks. Among other things, be sure to wear socks made from natural fabrics. For example, cotton underwear.
Corns and calluses are not serious conditions and can be treated with home remedies. However, in some cases, surgery may be necessary. It is also important to note that even if you manage to defeat a corn, there is a chance that it may return again if pressure or friction is maintained in the affected area.
