Calluses refer to a diffuse, flattened area of dead skin while a corn typically refers to a thick, upraised area that is circular or cone-shaped. Corns can also have an unsightly red and swollen appearance.
Corns and calluses are frequently found:
*On the sole of the foot
*On the "ball" of the foot
*On the outside of the pinkie toe, where it rubs against the shoe
*In between the toes, where they rub up against each other.
Home remedies are typically the best bet for corns and calluses unless you happen to be experiencing severe soreness, which may warrant surgical intervention.
How do Corns and Calluses Develop?
Corns and calluses are natural defense mechanisms to protect skin against friction and pressure.
Factors that can contribute to the development of corns and calluses include:
*foot abnormalities, such as hammer toes
*bony prominences on the foot
*ill-fitting footwear (whether too tight or too loose)
*high-heeled shoes (which put pressure on the front of the foot)
*an irregular gait
*ill-fitting socks
*flat feet
*walking on hard surfaces
People over the age of 65, diabetics as well as those who are frequently engaged in farming and gardening work are also at a heightened risk.
Preventing Corns and Calluses:
While there are some good do-it-yourself solutions, it's always best to try and prevent corns and calluses from forming in the first place. Here are some steps you can take to keep your feet corn- and callous-free.
*Notice Points of Pressure and Friction.
Corns and calluses come from friction and pressure. So if you notice a frequent rubbing sensation when you walk, try to identify what's causing it.
*Trim Your Toenails.
The pressure from overly long nails can push the toe joint up to rub against the top of your shoe, leading to a corn or callous. So, best to keep your toenails trimmed.
*Petroleum Jelly. Moisturize areas of the feet which tend to have a lot of friction, particularly when you need to do any lots of walking.
*Buy Shoes that Fit.
Always purchase shoes that fit correctly and are comfortable to walk in. It can be a good idea to go shoe searching in the later part of the afternoon as the feet tend to swell slightly at that time.
*Foot Pads.
You can find pads at your local drugstore which, when applied to a sensitive area, can take the pressure off, giving it time to heal.
*Wash and Dry your Feet Daily.
You can also apply some talcum powder powdered ingredients to remove moisture.
Home Remedies for Corns and Calluses:
There are some things you can do to relieve the discomfort associated with these two conditions. Try the home remedies that follow to take the pressure off these sore spots. If, despite these self-help strategies, your corn or callus continues to cause you discomfort, see your podiatrist. In addition, if you have diabetes or any other disorder that affects circulation, do not attempt to self-treat any foot problem; see your podiatrist right away.
In addition to over the counter medications, you can try these proven and effective home remedies as well.
*Pumice Stone.
First, soak the foot to soften the tough skin. Then, using light pressure, rub a wet pumice stone back and forth across the corn. Pause every couple of minutes to wash away the dead skin, and repeat until the corn is worn down.
*Baking Soda and Hot Water.
Soaking the affected feet in a solution of baking soda and also hot water is effective in removing the particular tough, dead skin. Put three tablespoons of baking soda into a bucket of warm water and then soak your feet. Alternatively, you can massage the affected area with a baking soda paste made up of three parts soda to one part water.
*Cornstarch.
Sprinkle cornstarch in the affected areas to eliminate moisture. The toes need to be kept dry because moisture can potentially cause infection.
*Vinegar.
Before bed, soak a cotton ball with vinegar and attach it to the affected area, leaving it on overnight. The following day, use a pumice stone to rub the corn away.
*Pineapple.
The rind of a pineapple contains enzymes that can help soften corns and calluses, speeding up their removal. Attach a square of pineapple rind to the corn and leave overnight. Repeat for 3-4 nights, and the corn should fall off on its own.
*Moisturize.
Apply moisturizer to the affected areas in order to keep the skin soft.
*Separate the Toes.
To relieve corns that develop between the toes, separate them using organic cotton or lamb's wool.
Keep in mind that the reliability of these home remedies cannot be guaranteed. Check with your doctor to develop an appropriate treatment plan for your foot problems.
Mistreating the feet by wearing shoes that don't fit well or that are too inflexible or nonporous are common causes of calluses and corns. Shoes that squeeze the toes force one toe to rub against the other, ultimately causing a corn to develop. High-heeled shoes also are major culprits, since they put pressure on the front of the foot, as can ill-fitting socks or irritation from your foot rubbing against a sock seam or shoe stitching. Shoes that are too loose cause your foot to slide, creating friction that can cause calluses.
*Walking on hard surfaces.
*Having flat feet (people with flat feet are more likely to get calluses).
*Thinning of the skin on the sole of the foot.
*Being diabetic.
Diabetics and others with circulatory problems should never self-treat or ignore foot problems.
*Play detective.
Corns and calluses don't just spring up out of nowhere. Excess pressure and friction can produce areas of dead, thickened skin on your feet. The solution? Track down and eliminate the cause of all that rubbing, and take other steps to prevent corns and calluses.
*Trim those toenails.
Toenails are designed to protect the toes from injury. However, the pressure of a shoe on a toenail that is too long can force the joint of the toe to push up against the shoe, forming a corn. To take the pressure off, keep your toenails trimmed. Cut each toenail straight across so that it doesn't extend beyond the tip of the toe. Then, file each toenail to smooth any rough edges.
While eliminating the source of the problem is essential, the sharp pain of a corn may demand immediate relief. Soak the affected foot in a solution of Epsom salts and warm water, then apply a moisturizing cream and wrap the foot in a plastic bag. Keep the bag on for a couple of hours (while you watch television or read, for example). Then remove the bag and gently rub the corn in a sideways motion with a pumice stone. Bear in mind that soaking will provide temporary relief, but it is not a cure.
*Don't cut.
There are myriad paring and cutting items to remove corns and calluses available in your local drugstore, but you should ignore them all in the best interest of your feet. Cutting corns can cause infection and heavy bleeding, so it's not worth the risk.
*Soft-step it.
Shielding and padding offer another way to get temporary relief from the discomfort of corns and calluses. Padding transfers the pressure of the shoe from a painful spot to one that is free of pain. Nonmedicated corn pads, for example, surround the corn with material that is higher than the corn itself, thus protecting the corn from contact with the shoe.
*A similar idea applies when padding a callus. Cut a piece of moleskin (available at your local drugstore or camping supply store) into two half-moon shapes and place the pieces on opposite sides of the callused area to protect it from further irritation.
*Choose the right shoes.Corns and calluses form when the size and shape of your shoe don't accommodate your foot and the way it works. Here are some guidelines to getting a better fit:
*Have the salesclerk measure each foot twice before you buy any pair of shoes. Don't ask for a certain size just because it's the one you have always worn; the size of your feet changes as you grow older.
Be sure to try on both the left and the right shoe. Stand during the fitting process, and check that there is adequate space (three-eighths to one-half inch) for your longest toe at the end of each shoe.
*Remember, your longest toe may not be your big toe; for some people, the second toe extends the farthest. Likewise, your feet may not be exactly the same size. If one foot is slightly larger than the other, buy the shoes for the larger foot and use padding, if necessary, for a better fit on the smaller foot.
*Be sure the shoe fits snugly at the heel.
*Be sure the ball of your foot fits snugly into the widest part of the shoe, which is called the ball pocket.
*If you plan to wear socks with the shoes, bring those socks and wear them while you assess the fit of the shoes.
*Shop for shoes at the end of the day, when your feet are likely to be slightly swollen.
*Don't buy shoes that feel too tight, expecting them to stretch out. If they don't feel right in the store, they will never fit comfortably. They should not need to be stretched.
*Walk around the store in the shoes to make sure they fit and feel right.
*When buying shoes for everyday use, look for ones with fairly low heels.
*Be sure the material of the upper is soft and pliable.
*If you are not sure about the fit, check into the store's return policy. If possible, take the shoes home, wear them on a rug for an hour, and if they don't feel good, take them back.
*Have several different pairs of shoes so that you don't wear the same pair day after day. Alternating your shoes is a wise move, not only for your feet but for the shoes.
*You may discover, as most people do, that your left and right feet are not exactly the same size. Or you may have a high instep, a plump foot, or especially long toes. While these characteristics may make it somewhat difficult to step into every pair of shoes you try on, they do not mean that you must resign yourself to never finding a pair of shoes that fit. All it takes is a little time and the determination to walk in comfort.
*One last reminder:
Like Cinderella, who was the only one able to fit into the glass slipper, the person who buys a pair of shoes is the only one who should wear them.Read the next section to learn some home remedies for calluses and corns that are as close as your kitchen.
Natural Home Remedies for Calluses and Corns:
Safe home remedies for painful corns and calluses include tea, cornstarch, and vinegar. For more details on how these everyday items can help your sore feet, read on.
Home Remedies From the Cupboard
*Baking soda.
One of the best ways you can treat corns and calluses is with a warm-water soak. This loosens the dead skin and helps with healing. Add 3 tablespoons baking soda to a basin of warm water and soak. Or massage calluses with a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water.
*Chamomile tea.
Soaking your feet in diluted chamomile tea can be soothing and will temporarily change the pH of the skin to help dry out sweaty feet. The tea will stain your feet, but the stain can be easily removed with soap and water.
*Cornstarch.
Sprinkle cornstarch between your toes to keep the area dry and protect the skin from breaking down. Moisture can make a corn or callus feel miserable and can promote fungal infections.
*Vinegar.
Soak a cotton ball in vinegar and tape it to your corn or callus. Leave the vinegar-soaked cotton on overnight. In the morning, rub the area with a pumice stone.
*Pumice stone.
Pumice powder and stones are used for scouring pans and are very useful for sloughing away dead skin. After soaking your foot in warm water for about 20 minutes, use a pumice stone to rub away those corns and calluses.
*Vinegar.
Soak a cotton ball in vinegar and tape it to your corn or callus. Leave the vinegar-soaked cotton on overnight. In the morning, rub the area with a pumice stone.
*Cornstarch.
Sprinkle cornstarch between your toes to keep the area dry and protect the skin from breaking down. Moisture can make a corn or callus feel miserable and can promote fungal infections.
*Chamomile tea.
Soaking your feet in diluted chamomile tea can be soothing and will temporarily change the pH of the skin to help dry out sweaty feet. The tea will stain your feet, but the stain can be easily removed with soap and water.
Home Remedies From the Freezer
*Ice.
Hard corns can be particularly painful. If you find yourself with a hard-core corn, apply an ice pack to the area.
This will help reduce swelling and ease the pain a bit.
Home Remedies From the Refrigerator
*Lemon juice.
Mix a paste of 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 5 or 6 crushed aspirin tablets. Apply the paste directly to your callus, and wrap your foot in a plastic bag. Keep your foot under wraps for ten minutes, allowing the acidity to soften your callus. Then give your callus a rub with a pumice stone.
Since your feet are the body part you use the most, a callus or corn can make it difficult to navigate through your day. If you follow the home remedies in this article, you can give corns and calluses the boot.
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