The word ‘corn’ can mean grain in farming, but in medical science, corns are best defined as the areas of skin which have been thickened due to pressure resulting in pain. In medical terms, it is known as hyperkeratosis and the affected area usually bears a circular or conical shape. They are also known as ‘helomas’ or ‘clavi’. They are located usually in areas around the feet (for examples – toes) and even the fingers. They can be painful, even though they are small. If you had a relative suffering from corn, by reading this article, you can educate him on the easy methods of how to get rid of corns on toes fast or how to remove corns by natural remedies.

Corns are found in areas –

In the bottom of foot (soles) and the portion around the metatarsal arch (called the “ball’’ of the foot)
On the edge of the fifth toe which brushes against the shoe
They can occur between the fourth and fifth toes. They do not have the general black color of corns, but white in color. The hard corns are known by the name “heloma durums” while the soft corns are known as “heloma molles”.

Reasons

If you have to explain ‘hyperkeratosis’ in simple words, then it means “thickening of the skin”. The skin condensation happens as a result of natural defense mechanism in the body. The skin around an area gets thickened due to excessive pressure and friction. Corns in feet can also happen due to abnormal anatomy of feet, toes (for example – hammertoe) and abnormalities in gait and bunions. You also have to exercise caution in your footwear. If your footwear is tight or short – the feet gets hurt at particular points due to friction. Corns can also occur due to walking barefoot without shoes or wearing shoes without socks. Irregular movement of feet because of injury can also lead to corns. Corns can also happen on fingers if your job is related to handling of tools, equipment and instruments. If you are a farmer or gardener, your palms will be rough because you perform manual work with your fingers thereby exerting friction on particular locations.

Symptoms And Signs Of Corns

While walking and on your feet, you experience pain in some areas of your feet. When you touch the area, you find the skin has become thick (hardened); the shape of the bump is round or conical and the skin has become flaky, scaly or dry. Some persons face pain during a walk or performing other exercises such as jogging, running etc.

How To Get Rid Of Corns?

Corns are simple body challenges that can be treated with various types of medicinal products to clear off the dead thick skin. There are also effective home remedies. Almost all the products have one common ingredient – salicylic acid, the same one used in all removal-of-wart products (over-the-counter).

The advantage of using salicylic acid is that it dissolves the protein, the main ingredient of corn and dead skin atop the corn. Before usage, it is advisable to act as per the instructions given in the package. Considered a safe treatment, they are available in different types such as applicators, pads, drops and plasters.

After applying salicylic acid, you can notice the skin on the affected part turns to white color. Then the dead skin or tissues can be trimmed and cleaned. Since the corn does not have any hard surface, you will face less pain.

As in all treatments, it is recommended that diabetic people should not use salicylic acid nor people who have weak skin or poor circulation of blood. There have been instances when ulcers have formed on the skin for diabetic people or people who have poor circulation of blood. It is advisable you (if you are a diabetic or the other person with a body challenge) contact a physician who can educate you about the various types of medicinal treatments and disadvantages of using the above mentioned acid products.

How To Get Rid Of Corns On Toes?

There are videos and videos in every website, but do not perform the act yourself in case of any doubts. You could end-up infecting the other tissues (formation of pus, swelling, redness). The best option would be to consult a podiatrist or other professionals of health care. In infection-related cases, you may be advised to ingest antibiotic related medicines.

Prevention Of Corns

Corns can mostly be prevented by reduction or elimination of the situations that can lead to the formation of pressure at particular points on feet and fingers.

You can use well-fit comfortable shoes – corns will be prevented on the fifth toes’ outside parts by this method.

You can also pad the affected area. There are different types of padding you can purchase from the drug store. You can put the cushion pad between your toes. You can place moleskin pads or foam in the corn- forming places. The best way would be to put foam pads with holes so that the pressure is distributed all over the corn instead of applying pressure on the affected part. There are also corn pads in drug stores. You can also purchase cushion insoles so that the feet can be padded to decrease the mechanical pressure.

Top Seven Remedies From The Kitchen

How To Get Rid Of Corns On Toes Fast?

1.Castor Oil

You can easily remove the corn by using a pumice stone and simple kitchen items. An hour before bed-time, immerse your feet in warm water for twenty minutes so that the hard skin gets softened. You can take the pumice stone and rub across the area consistently for five minutes till the white, thick skin gets scraped. You can then pat dry the skin. The next step is dipping a cloth or cotton ball in castor oil, place it on the affected area. You can tie the castor-related cotton ball or cloth with a bandage and go to sleep. The next day, in the morning, you can remove the cotton ball with the bandage. Take turns to apply castor oil frequently during the day. You can continue the treatment until the corn is removed.

2.White Vinegar

Our ancestors have used vinegar for various body problems and diseases. It has high acidic levels that soften the soft skin. Another advantage is its antibacterial and antifungal properties that can make the wound immune from infection. The same time schedule is followed as the earlier procedure. You can mix one part of vinegar with three parts of water. You can press the mixture on the corn affected area and cover with a bandage. Sleep peacefully and the next day morning, you can use a pumice stone/emery board to exfoliate the softened thick hard skin. Keep the pressure on the area by substituting vinegar for olive oil. You can continue this procedure till the corn is removed.

3.Baking Soda

The most common natural exfoliating agent that you can find in your kitchen is baking soda. Through regular and consistent use, you can remove the dead skin (making the outer portion of the corn) to fasten the healing process. Similar to vinegar, it can also prevent infections.

You can take three tablespoons of baking soda and add them to a large bowl of warm water. You can then soak the affected area part with your leg for twenty minutes. Rub an emery board/pumice stone against the affected part gently for 15 minutes. Another best method is to make a mixture of one teaspoon of baking soda, lemon juice and water to make a paste. You can apply the mixture on the affected portion. Cover the portion with a bandage and go to sleep peacefully. You can rinse the mixture off in the morning with warm water and repeat the action of exfoliation with a pumice stone. You can continue either of these home remedies till the challenge of corn pain in your feet is solved.

4. Lemon

Another easy remedy is the use of lemon. The main ingredient of lemon is citric acid that can work on the hard skin to soften the area. Apply fresh undiluted lemon juice on the corn and give some time for it to dry. You can do this procedure three times in a day. As an alternative, you can soak two clove pieces in fresh lemon juice (one tablespoon) for thirty minutes. The next step – remove the cloves, put the lemon juice on the affected part and do the gentle rubbing action slowly. Remove the old mixture, allow it to dry and repeat the procedure several times in a day.

You can mix Brewer’s yeast (one tablespoon) with the same amount of lemon juice to form a thick paste. You can put the paste on the affected corn area, cover with a bandage and leave it overnight.

5. Garlic

Considered the best natural antioxidant available from the kitchen, it has been used since earlier times to treat simple diseases such as cough and cold.

Peel off garlic, make it into two pieces and rub one part on the corn. You can keep the garlic on the affected portion, cover it with a bandage and go to sleep. Remove the cloth bandage and rinse the area with warm water. You can continue this schedule for every night till the corn disappears.

The second method is cutting three garlic cloves to little pieces, add salt as per the required amount and make a mixture. You can apply the paste on the corn, secure the area with a bandage that does not come off and continue with your day-to-day activities for three days. Be careful while having a bath. Protect the bandaged part from water or else the mixture will be diluted. You can repeat the process till the corn is removed.

Take two garlic cloves, make a mixture by cutting them into small pieces and add a little vinegar. Apply on the affected area. Secure the area with a cotton ball and tape. You can repeat the procedure every three hours. Every time, make a new mixture, new cotton ball and use new tape. Continue the schedule for several weeks till you get satisfactory results.

6.Turpentine Oil

Used for its strong antiseptic properties in natural medicine, it can be used effectively against corns. The oil can penetrate deep into the skin so that the healing process is fastened.

Take ice cubes from your refrigerator, break into small pieces, and then select the piece suitable for the corn affected area. You can wrap the ice in a thin cloth, massage the area for three minutes. You can pat dry the area with a soft towel to take the moisture off and then rub the turpentine oil on the corn. Make use of a bandage cloth to secure the area and go to sleep. Continue the procedure daily till the problem is resolved.

7.Turmeric

The easy way to heal corns is turmeric. It has been used in ancient medicine since prehistoric days to lessen discomfort, decrease pain and fasten the healing process. You can prepare a mixture of one teaspoon of turmeric power and half tea spoon of honey. The mixture should be made into a paste, and applied on the affected area. Ensure you check the corn is completely soaked from outside by the paste. You can repeat the mixture daily at least three times for a week till you get satisfactory results.

How To Get Rid Of Corns On Feet?

If the methods to remove corns from your feet are not successful, you need to see the podiatrist. He can cure the defect with scalpels. There are examples to prove, that a corn has returned to the previous place because of an underlying medical condition. The podiatrist can suggest orthotic devices so that the affected individual can distribute their weight on their entire feet but not on the affected corn-part. Medicinal research is abound with reports – a corn is removed, but the secondary corn has developed due to irregular walking of feet or toes or the pressure has not reduced on the specific body part. For some cases, surgery is required so that the physician shaves the underlying bone or correct underlying deformity exerting pressure/friction on the skin.