Calluses and Corns are essentially your body’s way of protecting itself and doubling up the physical protection on your feet. Say for instance you started wearing some sort of tight uncomfortable shoes. This can cause some part of your foot to rub against the hard surface of the shoe as a result your body will react by piling up layers of dead skin cells to prevent the foot from any further damage. Calluses and corns are rarely a cause for concern but they can cause some discomfort or in extreme cases pain as well. But don’t you worry, with some home remedies and lifestyle changes these can be easily prevented or even cured.
We have combined a list of tried and tested home remedies for calluses and corns that will hopefully help you treat your problems at home
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Use a Pumice Stone
Perhaps the simplest and most effective way to remove a corn or callus is to soak your feet in warm water for at least 20 minutes. Let the hard skin soften up a bit and slowly work away on it by rubbing it with a pumice stone. You can easily find a pumice store in any good store or find a variety of sizes and shapes in nail supply stores. Simply look for a store in your area e.g. if you reside somewhere like Orlando in Florida look for nail supply store Orlando fl
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Apple Cider Vinegar to The Rescue!
Most of the over the counter medicines for corns and calluses include an acid (in general salicylic acid) that help dissolve the hardened skin. Apple cider vinegar works in a similar way by dissolving and softening the skin that has hardened so you scrap it easily. Start by soaking a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and applying it on the affected area for a couple of minutes. However since acids cannot distinguish between hardened and regular skin, you have to be careful not to put acid on healthy skin or it can irritate your skin and cause damage to it.
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Fresh Lemons
Another natural source of acid, you can also use lemons to help soften and dissolve the hardened skin such as corns or calluses. Start by cutting a piece of lemon that is large enough to cover the corn or callus, secure it with a bandage or tape and wear a sock to cover the lemon and let it stay overnight.
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Castor Oil
Castor oil is also an effective natural ingredient that can help get rid corn and calluses. Start by placing a cotton swab or a non medicated corn pad (you can find these easily in any nail supply store in Orlando) and putting a drop or two of castor oil. Castor oil is also acidic and will help soften the hardened skin. Best to cover it and leave it overnight for maximum results.
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Vitamin E oil
Vitamin E oil is generally recommended for the overall health of your skin and nails. Applying vitamin E oil on your calluses and corn will moisturize the skin, making it soft and supple so that it is not irritated easily. Vitamin E oil is also rich in antioxidants that can also help revitalize and heal your skin.
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Aspirin
Using aspirin is also known to be an effective way to get rid of bothersome corn and calluses. Start of by crushing four or five uncoated aspirin tablets and mix the powder with equal parts of apple cider vinegar and water. Mix the ingredients together to form a paste, rub the paste on your corn or callus, use a bandage or non medicated corn cap to keep it in place. Use this for at least 15 minutes, once the skin becomes soft work away on it gently with a pumice stone. Since this is a strong acidic combination avoid putting it on your healthy skin.
Other home remedies include using garlic, pineapple juice or olive oil on your corn and calluses.
However at the end of the day if you feel like your condition isn’t getting better with these home remedies and your skin is becoming more aggravated and irritated then don’t shy away from seeking medical assistance.
