Home Remedies for Foot Corns
Written by Jessica Lal on February 14, 2023
Excessive pressure and friction on the foot can lead to the formation of a thickened patch of skin, known as a corn. It appears as a raised, hard, bump on the foot.
Foot corns are a common and mild problem that generally resolves on its own, once the foot is relieved of the sources of pressure and friction.
While treatment is generally not required, you can try home remedies and self-care measures to aid recovery, manage the pain, and prevent recurrence. However, always consult a doctor if you have diabetes, poor blood circulation, or any foot deformity.
Home Remedies for Foot Corns
The following home remedies may be useful in managing foot corns and aiding skin recovery:
Caution: Conduct a patch test to check for any allergic reactions or sensitivity before trying the remedies for foot corns. Consult your doctor before trying any home remedy if you are diabetic or have circulatory disorders or foot deformity to prevent complications such as ulcers and numeral problems.
1. Soak your feet in warm water
Soaking your feet in warm water is the most common advice given by doctors for the treatment of foot corns and calluses. Warm water itself helps soften the skin, and you can add Epsom salt to it, too.
Epsom salts can help relieve the pain and hydrate the dry, keratinized skin layers.
How to use:
- Mix 1 cup of Epsom salt in a gallon of warm water.
- Soak your feet in it for around 15 minutes.
- Also rub the callus in circular motions gently, while soaking, to help remove the dead skin.
2. Apply a baking soda paste
The use of baking soda for treating foot corns is a popular anecdotal remedy. It is an exfoliator that helps soften the callus, thus aiding its removal.
How to use:
- Mix 1 tsp of baking soda with a few drops of lemon juice and water to form a paste.
- Apply a thin layer of the paste to the corn and cover with a bandage.
- Leave it overnight and rinse in the morning with lukewarm water.
- Gently exfoliate using a pumice stone after.
3. Dab some vinegar
Vinegar can also help soften the callus and help reduce its size, although this remedy is not supported by scientific evidence. It is suggested that the acidity of vinegar acts on the keratin and breaks it down, thus loosening the dead skin cells.
How to use:
- Dilute one part of vinegar with three parts warm water.
- Apply the solution to the corn using a cotton ball. Dab it over the area for 10 minutes.
- Use a pumice stone after.
Note: Refrain from soaking your feet in the diluted vinegar.
4. Use a banana peel
Banana peels are used as an anecdotal remedy for treating foot corns. Users report that rubbing the inside of a banana peel helps soften the corn and makes it smaller with time.
While there is no scientific evidence to it, the remedy is generally safe and may be worth a try.
5. Rub a potato
Potatoes can also be used in the treatment of a foot corn. Anecdotal evidence suggests that rubbing a potato on the foot corn helps soften it, turn it black, and ultimately cause it to fall off. However, no scientific study supports the use of potatoes in the treatment of foot corns.
6. Try over-the-counter products
Several over-the-counter products such as foot peels, adhesive pads, and exfoliating creams help remove foot corns. These products generally contain urea, potassium hydroxide, silicone, aluminum lactate, and trichloroacetic acid.
Additionally, you can apply adhesive pads on the foot corn to help prevent irritation and friction until the treatment shows results.
