A callus typically occurs when there is a lot of friction applied on a certain part of the body. Mostly, calluses can form on your feet and hands or fingers.
Common symptoms include a thick and hard patch or bump on the skin, the particular problem area being dry and flaky, and worst case you might feel a bit of tenderness and even pain in the area that has been affected.
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What is a Corn and How to Identify?
Calluses on your feet can be easily diagnosed via physical examination. For severe cases, x-ray may be necessary as to help the medical practitioner to examine any other abnormalities in your foot that may be the real cause of the problem.
During diagnosis of severe cases, the doctor will ask you about your medical history, any symptoms that you have been experiencing, and even your day to day physical activities. The doctor may even ask you about your choice of footwear, especially shoes that you use on a daily basis.
11 Basic Home Remedies For Corns
The good news is that there are countless ways to remove calluses. Keep in mind that these tips that you can use to treat calluses are simple how-to guides and if you feel the need, it is still best to consult a medical expert.
1. Soak in Warm Water
First soak the affected area in warm or hot water for around 10 minutes or more, depending on how big or thick the callus is. This should allow for the dry skin to soften. It is optional to throw in some Epsom salts, your favorite bath oil, or even a bag or two of tea if you wish.
2. Pour in Vinegar
If your calluses are on a bit harsh than normal, pour in a cup of vinegar, preferably apple cider vinegar if available. Remember though that if you have poor circulation or diabetes, skip adding the vinegar.
3. Use Foot File
Second step would be to scrub your now softened calluses using a standard foot file or even a pumice stone that you can buy from any beauty shop or drugstore.
In between scrubbing, make sure to clean the stone or file that you are using. Be wary as well that you do not over scrub the area, a couple of minutes each session should be enough.
4. Use Foot Lotion
After rubbing, make sure to wash the area thoroughly of dead skin and pat dry. Using a foot or hand lotion, rub it in the area to lock in some much needed moisture.
If heading to bed, you can also use a pair of gloves and socks over the area. Make sure to repeat this routine until the calluses become less and less noticeable.
5. Use Aspirin
Do you know that you can actually use aspirin to help soften your calluses? It’s very simple: Just crush around 5 tablets and mic together with half a teaspoon of a lemon juice/water mixture.
Once it forms into a paste, apply it to the callused area and wrap with a warm towel. Lastly, get a plastic wrap or cling wrap and cover the whole area wit it.
Let it soak in for 10 to 15 minutes before removing the covering and scrubbing the callused area using either a file or pumice stone.
6. Baking Soda with Tea Bag
The common baking soda and warm water soak can be enhanced by adding a tea bag of chamomile in the soak itself. While the diluted chamomile can be soothing, it can also change the pH level of your skin temporarily, helping to dry sweaty feet. If the tea stains your feet, it can easily be washed away with some soap and warm water.
7. Use Corn starch
Every home is sure to have a box of cornstarch in the pantry. This you can utilize as a preventive measure. How? Sprinkle some of it in between your toes, hndoing such will keep the area dry and thus will protect that area from later on breaking down and turning into a callus.
8. Use Vinegar
Another useful remedy found in your kitchen is that humble bottle of vinegar. Using a cotton ball, soak it with vinegar and tape it around the affected area. Preferably, leave the cotton overnight and in the morning, scrub the area using a file or a pumice stone.
9. Use Pineapples
Pineapples are not only for dessert! A pineapple peel is rich with a specific enzyme that can be of help in softening calluses and corns. further than that, it can also help to remove the callus or corn from the affected skin.
To do this is simple: Just place a piece of pineapple peel on the callused area and cover or wrap the area with cloth. It is recommended to do it nightly for one week.
10. Seek Medical Help
In any medical-related aspect, you will always be advised that prevention is the key. So how can you prevent your feet from having calluses?
A few tips include wearing proper footwear, and this includes both socks and the pair of shoes you choose to wear. For people who have obvious foot deformity, it is highly recommended to seek the expert advice of a doctor or specifically, a podiatrist.
You can also take advantage of foot accessories such as padding, orthotics and even arch supports that can be of great help in redistributing pressure when you stand, walk or simply move around. Maintaining a proper and strict foot hygiene is a plus.
11. Patience
It could easily take a month or two months for you to slowly but surely take down the callus, so patience is key. It is important to stop scrubbing when you feel even the slightest of pain after layers of the callused skin have fallen off.
Conclusion
Calluses / Corns often occur on your feet, and it cannot be stressed enough how important your feet are. Your feet holds the most important job of taking you to where you need to go.
With this thought, you must keep in mind to ensure that your feet are always at their best as that is the only way for them to effectively perform for you. Having pretty hands and feet aren’t the only things you must remember, as having a healthy pair of each 24/7 is even more significant.