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Natural treatments and home remedies for corns

Corns are small circles of hard and thickened skin. They develop when our skin is exposed to excessive friction or pressure. Corns most often develop on our feet, especially between the toes, soles of your feet, and on the tops and sides of the toes. Corns can also develop in other parts of our bodies. Walking or running in ill-fitting shoes are the most common causes of corns. Also standing for very long periods of time wearing high heels or tight shoes can lead to corns. Taking part in sports activities that pressure on the feet, manual labor, wearing shoes without socks, and walking without wearing shoes are also possible causes of corns. People with scars or warts on their feet, damaged sweat glands, hammertoes, or bunions on their feet are having an increased risk of getting corns. Also, people who suffer from diabetes or other conditions which cause poor blood flow to the feet have a higher risk of complications from corns. In this case, it is recommended to have a treat from your doctor. Some symptoms of this condition are pain when pressing on them, hard raised bumps, and thick and rough skin. Corns can also cause you great discomfort while walking or standing. In most cases eliminating the source of pressure or friction allows corns to heal. Also, there are lotions and medicines which can help you to eliminate this problem. [1,2]

7 Home remedies to get rid of corns

Turpentine oil

This natural cure is a strong antiseptic that can help you to treat the corns [3]. This type of oil penetrates into your skin very quickly so the healing time can be faster. You should wrap ice in a thin cloth and you should massage the affected area with it for 2 minutes. You should pat dry this area and then you should rub some turpentine oil on the corn. You should put a bandage over it. You should let it stay there throughout the night. You need to do this natural treatment once per day before you go to the bed. Also, there is another option which you can make from this home remedy. You should melt ¼ cup of extra virgin coconut oil in the microwave. You should put two tablespoons of camphor oil and one tablespoon of turpentine oil in it. You should let this mixture cool. Then, you should soak your feet in warm water for a few minutes. Pat dry your feet. Then, you should apply this homemade cream to the corn. You should store the rest of the home remedy in an airtight jar. You should repeat this natural treatment 2 – 3 times per day. You should use some of the mentioned natural cures made of turpentine oil.

Garlic

This is one of the most effective home remedies for treating corns. It has natural antioxidant properties so this is a reason why it is very helpful in treating corns. Also, it has antifungal and antibacterial properties which will prevent infection [4]. You should rub half of a garlic clove on the corn. You should let the skin dry. Cover your skin with a bandage. Let it stay there all night. The next morning you should remove the bandage and then you should wash your feet with warm water. You should do this natural treatment every night until the corn has disappeared. Also, there is another home remedy that you can make from garlic. You should cut 2 – 3 garlic cloves into small pieces. Add a pinch of salt to it. Then, you should make a paste of these ingredients. You should apply this paste to your corn. You should secure it with an adhesive bandage. You should let the bandage stay on the corn for a period of 3 days. On the third day when you remove the bandage, then you will notice that the corn will also come off. If you needed, then you should repeat this natural treatment. Also, there is a third option which you can make from garlic. You should make a paste of 2 garlic cloves. You should add a small amount of vinegar to this paste. Then, you should apply this paste directly to the corn. You should put a cotton ball over the corn. You should secure it with tape. You should let the cotton ball stay there for a period of 2 – 3 hours. Then, you should remove the tape and clean the affected area. You should repeat this natural treatment every day for a period of several weeks.

Lemon

Lemon is an effective home remedy for corns. Lemon has citrus acid which can soften the hardened skin that makes up the corn so the corn will eventually fall out. You should apply fresh lemon juice to the corn. You should allow it to air dry. You should do this natural treatment at least 3 times per day. Also, you can soak 2 pieces of cloves in one tablespoon of fresh lemon juice for fifteen minutes. You should remove the cloves and then you should rub the lemon juice on the corn. You should allow this home remedy to air dry and then you should apply this juice again. You should repeat this natural treatment several times per day. Also, there is another option which you can make from lemon juice. You should mix a small amount of lemon juice with one teaspoon of Brewer’s yeast. Make a thick paste of these ingredients. You should slather the paste onto your corn. Cover it with a bandage. You should let it stay there throughout the night. You can use some of the mentioned three home remedies every day until you are satisfied with the result.

Baking soda

This is a natural exfoliating agent which can help you to rid of the dead skin which is covering the corn. This means that it will help you in the healing process. Also, it has antibacterial and antifungal properties which will help you to keep your skin from infections [5]. You should add 2 – 3 tablespoons of baking soda to a basin of warm water. You should soak your feet in this natural treatment for a period of ten to fifteen minutes. You should rub the affected area with a pumice stone to remove the dead skin. Also, there is another option which you can make. You should mix a small amount of lemon juice, one teaspoon of baking soda, and water to make a paste. You should apply this natural cure carefully – only to the affected area. You should cover it with a bandage and you should let it stay there throughout the night. The next morning, you should rinse off this paste with lukewarm water. Then, you should exfoliate it gently using a pumice stone. You can use some of the mentioned natural cures on daily basis and you should do it until the corn dries and flakes off.

White vinegar

This is also a very effective natural cure for removing the corns on your feet. It has a high acidity level which can help you to soften the hard skin. Also, it has antibacterial and antifungal properties which can reduce the risk of infection [6]. You should mix 3 parts of water with one part of white vinegar. You should dab this diluted vinegar onto the corn. You should cover this area with an adhesive bandage. You should let it stay there throughout the night. The next morning you should exfoliate the thickened skin with an emery board or pumice stone. You should apply some coconut oil or olive oil to keep that area moisturized. You should apply this home remedy once per day until the corn comes out.

Corns

Pumice stone

It is a very effective natural treatment to massage the corn and the nearby area with a pumice stone. It will remove the dead and hardened skin. It will reduce the pain. It will speed up the recovery time. Before you go to bed, you should soak your feet in comfortably hot water for ten minutes. These wills soften the hard skin. You should gently rub a pumice stone back and forth across the affected area for a period of 3 – 5 minutes. Then, you should pat dry your feet. You should dip a cotton ball in castor oil. You should place the cotton ball on the corn. You should secure it with tape and you should let it stay there throughout the night. You should remove the bandage the next morning. You should apply castor oil several times per day. You should repeat this treatment for several days until you have noticed that the corn is fully removed.

Papaya

This is also a very effective home remedy for removing foot corns. It has several enzymes which will help slough off hard and dead skin [7]. Also, it can ease the pain or discomfort. Also, it will help the corn to dry up and fall off faster. Raw papaya is the best choice for removing corns. You should grate a small piece of raw papaya. Extract the juice from it. You should soak a cotton ball in this juice. Put the cotton ball on the corn. Secure it with tape. You should leave it overnight. When you wake up, you should use a pumice stone to gently exfoliate the skin. You should repeat this natural treatment every day until you are satisfied with the results.

References:

[1] Farndon L, Concannon M, Stephenson J. A survey to investigate the association of pain, foot disability and quality of life with corns. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research. 2015;8:70.

[2] McCanick AM. A study examining the occurrence of corns and calluses in males
and females. Saint Martin’s University Biology Journal. 2006;1:265-74.

[3] Mercier B, Prost J, Prost M. The essential oil of turpentine and its major volatile fraction (α- and β-pinenes): A review.  International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health. 2009;22(4):331-42.

[4] Pazyar N, Feily A. Garlic in dermatology. Dermatology Reports. 2011;3(1):e4.

[5] Letscher-Bru V, Obszynski CM, Samsoen M, et al. Antifungal activity of sodium bicarbonate against fungal agents causing superficial infections. Mycopathologia. 2013;175(1-2):153-8.

[6] Pinto TMS, Neves ACC, Leão MVP, Jorge AOC. Vinegar as an antimicrobial agent for control of Candida spp. in complete denture wearers. Journal of Applied Oral Science. 2008;16(6).

[7] de Oliveira JG, Vitoria AP. Papaya: Nutritional and pharmacological characterization, and quality loss due to physiological disorders. An overview. Food Research International. 2011;44(5):1306-13.

Vijila
Vijila
Dr. Emil Sarsath (aka) Vijila, a licensed naturopathic doctor (BSMS) who always ensures his patients receive compassionate, and individualized care. He has extensive experience in primary care, digestive health, mental health, nervous system disorder and more.Area of Expertise – Naturopathic Medicine, Whole Foods-based Nutrition, Siddha, Panchakarma.She is always available through [email protected]

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