Calluses or Corns Causing Concern?

Learn about some easy ways to get rid of them

Of all the parts of the body, the feet may be the worst place for an ache or ailment. This is because it’s virtually impossible to avoid the pain. Every step taken is an uncomfortable reminder that something isn’t right.

Corns and calluses are common foot conditions that can make walking unbearable at times. And if you’ve noticed these rough, lumpy areas of skin on either the tops (corns) or soles (calluses) of your feet, you know about this firsthand. So, how can you get rid of them? Here are some simple methods to try:

Soak your feet

Soaking can be a great way to eliminate both corn and calluses, and you have a few different choices that may work well for you. Start by trying Epsom salt and warm water; the water will make your skin soft and the salt will act as a scrub. Another good option is to substitute two tablespoons of baking soda in place of the Epsom salt and soak your feet for about a half hour. Finally, submerging your feet in chamomile tea for around 20 minutes will soften hard skin.

Start scrubbing

Now that you’ve soaked, it’s time to scrub. A file or pumice stone will work nicely for this. Rub your feet in a circular motion rather forcefully; don’t worry, your feet can take it. You may want to alternately dip your feet back into the water to keep the skin soft and pliable.

Head to the kitchen

Believe it or not, but you probably have an assortment of items in your kitchen right now that can help you with your foot troubles. For example, if you put olive or coconut oil on your feet and then wear cotton socks to bed, your skin will absorb the oil, which will soften the skin and reduce appearance of corns and calluses.

You know that pineapple you recently bought? Once it’s peeled, put that peel on your feet and secure it with gauze or tape and those corns and calluses will start fading away.

If you have some wheat germ and sesame oil lying around, mix them together, and heat up the mixture. Once cooled to room temperature, just apply it to your calluses daily, and before you know it, they’ll be gone.

Grab some aspirin

If your feet are causing you pain, you may already be taking aspirin, but instead of swallowing pills, you can try something else. If you crush a few tablets and then add a little bit of water and lemon juice to make a paste, you now have your own corn and callus remover. Just apply it to the area, cover with plastic wrap, and then put your feet up. After about 15 minutes, rinse it off and then scrub those nuisances away.

While all of the above are good tactics, they may not get rid of your corns or calluses permanently. If they just keep coming back, it’s probably time to see a podiatrist to find out the cause and to learn about better treatment options. To make an appointment now to see Dr. Nina Coletta, call 954-452-4590. You can also reach our office by sending an email to info@ninacolettadpm.com.