Home Remedies For Corns : 21 Proven Natural Ways

Did you observe small thickened patch on your foot skin? Or Did you find skin which is sensitive to touch and causes pain while wearing your shoes or any sandal that is tight near the foot finger area?

These are the symptoms of Foot corns. Corns are thick and hardened layer causes on the skin, which occurs on your feet due to excessive pressure. Which develop on your toenail bed, feet, between and sides of your toe fingers or on your hands and fingers.

Every age group both men and women get affected with these corns. It may be because of the having less fatty tissues which are the reason of elasticity of the skin and also seen in people who require to stand for long periods of time.

These corns are painful but by reducing the external pressure on the feet corn will reduce itself. Try these home remedies to get relieved from corns.

In this article, you will know some best and tested home remedies to get rid of foot corns.

Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Corns

You observe corns on the feet, which are small circular in structure. When this skin gets affected to pressure or friction they turn hard and thickened. You observe them on the sides and tops of the toes, on feet sole, and between the toes.

People who are suffering from hammertoes, bunions, and warts on their feet get effected often with this corns than any other people. People who have diabetes or who have poor blood flow to the bottom of the feet are more prone to corns.

By reducing or avoiding the sources which cause friction to the feet will give relief from corns. They are also antibiotics, lotions, and caps available to treat corns.

Instead of using antibiotics, start following this tested and effective home remedies to get rid of corns.

1. Pumice Stone

By using this pumice stone the dead and hardened skin present on the feet can be removed. In the case of corns, it helps in reducing the size of the corns thus gives relief from the pain and pressure caused by corns.¹ This natural method helps to get rid of the corn overnight.

How to use a pumice stone to reduce feet corns?

• Usually soaking the feet in the hot water make the harder skin soft, then you can use this pumice stone by gently rubbing the hardened area for 5-10 minutes.
• You can also use castor oil, dip the small cotton ball in castor oil and apply on the corn or attach the cotton ball with a tape on the corn overnight.
• Early morning remove the tape and apply castor oil on a regular basis when you feel the dry feet.
• Repeat the same until you feel relief from the corn.

2. White vinegar

White Vinegar is one of the best remedies for feet corns. It holds acidic, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial properties, which helps in killing the fungus, infection, and makes the hard skin softer. This is a soft corn treatment done at home.

How did this vinegar used to remove corns?

• Mix white vinegar and water, soak your feet in that water for 20-30 minutes. White vinegar has that ability to deal with all foot problems.
• Now by using the cotton ball, dip that in the vinegar. Place that cotton on the corn and cover that with a tape for at least 4-5 hours.
• Repeat the same for few weeks.

3. Lemon + Cloves

Lemon and cloves both are readily available anywhere near you. The acidic and citric properties of lemon have the ability to soften the hardened skin formed by corns. Thus the corns get reduced a little fast.

How to use them?

• Take some lemon juice and apply on the corn and let that area get dried.
• You can also soak the cloves in lemon juice and apply on the corns.
• Repeat the same 3-4 times a day. This process gradually helps in removing the corns.

4. Garlic

You all know that garlic has antioxidant properties, which helps to fight against the bacterial and fungal infection caused by corns. This also has the healing properties, which treats corns and warts.

If you have any burns on the skin, please avoid applying garlic, because it increases the irritation.

How to use it?

• Take one garlic clove, make two pieces of the clove.
• Before going to bed with one clove piece rub the corn and let that dry.
• Later with the help of Band-Aid tie that clove piece overnight.
• Next morning, remove the Band-Aid and rinse with warm water. Repeat the same until you find relief.

5. Raw Papaya

Raw Papaya gives you relief from the pain and discomfort caused by corns. It has an ability to remove the hardened skin on the foot. Ripe papaya, raw papaya has many vital nutrients to treat corns. The enzymes present in raw papaya, can remove the dead and hard skin.

The medicinal properties that include in raw papaya are – lutein, B vitamin, beta-carotene, calcium, vitamin K, and potassium.

If you are suffering from skin rashes, do avoid this as it increases the rash.

How to use it?

• With some pieces prepare juice of these pieces.
• Take a cotton ball, dip the cotton in the juice and apply on the affected area, that is on the corn.
• Place the cotton and tie that with a band, keep it overnight on the corn.
• Repeat the same until you find some relief.

6. Castor Oil

This castor oil acts as a moisturizer for the skin. Thus corns get reduced very easily because this oil is rich in fatty acids which penetrate into the skin and softens the corns.

This castor oil has no side effects, but you may feel little discomfort due to the stickiness of this oil.

How to use it?

• Apply this castor oil on the corns with a cotton ball, cover it with a tape overnight.
• Repeat the same 2-3 times a day until you feel the softness of the feet.

7. Banana peel

You will get affected with corn if your body lacks potassium. Banana peel contains all the required nutrient properties like salicylic acid, potassium, and also lutein (anti-oxidant).²This is an effective home remedy to get rid of corns.

Try to use the raw and healthy banana peel for better results.

Do avoid this remedy if you are allergic to latex because it leads to itchy skin, dermatitis, and crusty skin lesions.

How to use it?

• Peel the banana and make a round ball of the inside white peel and apply on the corn.
• Cover that with a plaster, bandages, or wound care overnight.
• You can also add 2 drops of tea tree oil to the white peel and apply the solution on the corns.

8. Onion

Onion has the natural anti-bacterial components which will kill the microbes that cause skin infection. It also contains sulphur properties which will tear off old, dead skin.It will also reduce the recurring skin infection further.

If you are allergic or have skin rashes please avoid this home remedy, because it leads to red and itchy rashes.

How to use it?

• Slice a small piece of onion and place the piece on the corn.
• Cover the piece with a cloth or bandage overnight.
• Repeat the same process until you feel relief from the corns.

9. Licorice Roots + Mustard Oil

The licorice root is used in many ayurvedic methods as a common herb to treat different disorders. This root has the natural skin softening properties. Thus mixing this herb powder with any essential oil (like mustard oil or sesame oil) can give relief from corns.

This remedy is not for consumption and is used for external application. If you are suffering from skin rashes using mustard oil will increase the problem.

How to use it?

• Make a paste with mustard oil and liquorice root powder.
• Apply this paste on the corn, tie a cloth or cover with a bandage overnight.
• The following day remove the bandage and rinse with warm water.
• Repeat the same procedure until the size of the corn reduces.

10. Massage With Crushed Jasmine Leaves

Crushed jasmine leaves have the ability to removes the corns and also make the hard skin tender.

If you are suffering from a headache, avoid this remedy because the smell of jasmine will increase the pain.

How to use it?

• Make some juice with jasmine leaves and apply this paste and gently massage the affected corn area.
• Repeat the same process until you find some relief.

11. The Paste Of Phyllanthus Fraternus Leaves

You find many of these plants in your garden as some waste plants. But this works effectively for ulcers, sores, wounds, and bruises.

As these leaves hold lignans and potential R-Nase H inhibition which help in reducing the dead skin cell growth. Due to the presence of anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, gives relief to corns.

This paste is only used for external application, not used to consume raw.

How to use it?

• Make the paste of these leaves and apply on the corns.
• Repeat the same process until you find relief from the corns.
• You can also massage with the paste on the affected area of the corns.

12. Baking Soda

This acts as a natural exfoliating agent, which will remove the dead skin that is covered on corn. The anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties present in baking soda keeps you away from other infections.

How to use it?

• Mix 2 – 3 spoons of baking soda in warm water. Now soak your feet in this water for 15-20 minutes.
• After 20 minutes with the help of pumice stone remove all the dead skin.
• One more effective remedy with baking soda is, mix a tablespoon of baking soda, lemon juice, and water prepare a paste of the mixture.
• Apply this paste on the corn and cover that with a cloth overnight.
• The following day remove the cloth and wash the area and remove the dead skin with a pumice stone.
• Repeat the process until you find some relief from corn.

13. Turpentine Oil

This oil has the ability to sink into the skin fast, which reduces the corn soon. Turpentine oil also has the antiseptic properties that will give relief from corns.

How to use it?

• Mix extra virgin coconut oil, turpentine oil, and camphor oil together and make a paste. Soak your feet in some water for 10-15 minutes.
• Let the feet dry for few minutes and apply this paste on the corn. Apply the paste on a regular basis until you find some relief.
• In a cloth wrap some ice cubes and massage the area of the corn. Later apply this turpentine oil and let it stay overnight.
• Repeat this process before bed everyday.

14. Turmeric

Turmeric is one of the effective remedy readily available in your kitchen. It helps you reducing pain, and discomfort caused by corns. Because turmeric holds anti-inflammatory properties.

How to use it?

• Make a paste of turmeric powder and honey, apply this paste on the corn and leave the paste to dry. Repeat the same for 2-3 times a day.
• Also mix the turmeric powder and aloe vera paste together, apply this paste on the corn and stay it overnight.
• Later rinse the feet with warm water, and rub with the pumice stone to remove the dead skin.
• Repeat the same process until you find the relief.

15. Pineapple Peel

Pineapple is one of the best remedies for corns. The pineapple peel works effectively when compared with flesh. Because the peel holds few enzymes that help in softening the hard skin of corns.

How to use it?

• Take the fresh peel of pineapple and keep that on the corn, cover it with a bandage overnight.
• The next day remove the bandage and applies some coconut oil.
• Repeat the same process every night before going to bed.

16. Vitamin E

Natural anti-oxidants are important for skin health. This will boost the skin health and removes dead skin.

How to use it?

• Take a vitamin E capsule and apply that solution directly on the corn.
• Consume food that is rich in vitamin E, which includes sunflower seeds, hazelnuts, broccoli, and squash.

17. Aspirin

Aspirin is used to treat headache; it also helps in treating painful corns. The acidic properties present in aspirin helps in removing corns.

Do not follow this remedy if you have allergy using aspirin.

How to use it?

• Take 2-3 tablets of Aspirin, add few drops of water and make a thick paste.
• Apply this paste on the corn and with the help of a cloth or bandage keep that overnight.
• The next day scrub the corn area with pumice stone to remove the dead skin.
• Repeat the same process until you see the result.

18. Lemon

Lemon is also one of the best home remedies to treat corns. This will reduce the dead skin cells and also gives relief from discomfort caused by corns.

How to use it?

• Make small circular cuts of the corn, keep that slice on the corns and let that stay overnight with the help of a bandage.
• Repeat the same process until the corn is removed.

19. Bread

Bread when soaked in white vinegar will help in softening the corns, this helps to remove them by a scruber or a pumice stone.

How to use it?

• Soak the slice of bread in vinegar and make a paste.
• Apply this on the corn and let it stay overnight.
• Repeat the same for a week, which helps in removing the corn soon. Because this paste will soften the corn.

20. Oatmeal Soak

Oatmeal is an excellent natural remedy to treat corns. This works effectively as an exfoliating agent, which will help softening the skin.

How to use it?

• Mix some oats in water and let it boil for 5-10 minute.
• Later strain the oats and apply these oats on the corn.
• Let is stay for 15-20 minutes and rinse with warm water.
• Repeat the same process until you feel some relief from corns.

21. Some additional remedies

• You can also soak your legs in Epsom salt water, which will give relief from painful corns.
• Don’t let the corn dry. Apply moisturizer like coconut oil, olive oil, or cocoa butter whenever you feel the dryness
• Use corn pads or protective covers to reduce the pressure on the skin.
• Maintain good hygiene of the feet by washing them on a regular basis.
• Don’t cut the corns which can increase the pain, and sometimes leads to infections.
• Wear shoes that properly fit your feet.
• If you see any corn between your toenails, separate your toenails with a cotton ball to reduce the friction or pressure that causes the corns.

Causes of Corns

Corns are rough and round in shape. Due to the pressure caused on the skin, it becomes thickened. These corns cause pain because of the deep growth pressing against a nerve.³

There are some factors that cause corns

i. When you wear shoes or sandals that are tightly fitted causing more pressure.

ii. Wearing wrong size shoes.

iii. Started wearing shoes that are new from your regular style.

iv. Also caused due to foot related problems like bunions or hammertoes.

v. If you run or walk or stand for a long time, it also causes the formation of corns.

vi. Old age leads to skin thinning, and decrease in fat tissues which leads to corns.

What are the risk factors for Corns?

Any situation that increases the pressure on the fingers or toes causes corns. These are commonly observed in people over 65 years.

Some risk factors include:

1. Bunions –It is a bony bump caused on the big toe joint. Wearing tight and narrow shoes cause this problem.
2. Abnormality in gait (the way a person walks), feet or toes.
3. If a person’s occupation is gardening and farming.
4. A Shoe with wrong fitting.

Symptoms of Corns

Corns will appear with various symptoms. Which also takes some symptoms from calluses that become very difficult to differentiate between both.

You will start to notice the following symptoms:

a. The skin on the toe will become harder than normal.

b. Also, find the yellow skin on the top of your feet.

c. Your toe will develop redness inside.

d. You will have dry or flaky skin.

e. And will feel pain in the foot while walking or standing for a very long period.

These corns are not a serious problem, but will be painful and causes discomfort. Your foot hygiene will reduce or remove corns, they can be reduced on its own.

How to prevent Corns?

Some precautions to take to prevent corns:

1. To avoid corns, take an exact measurement of your feet and select the right shoe.⁴
2. Your shoe should have at least a one-inch gap from the front of the shoe to your toe.
3. Also, make sure that you should be comfortable enough to move your fingers a bit inside your shoe.
4. Socks also matters the same as shoes, always use comfortable socks, also try wearing padding socks.
5. Reduce the usage of high heels. Because high heels cause pressure to your foot and thus leads to corns.
6. Excess weight also leads to corns, because weight gives more pressure on your feet and toes. Losing excess weight is suggested.
7. Always keep your feet clean and moisturized using a pumice stone to avoid corn formation.

Still if corns occur on your toes or fingers, try the above home remedies to get rid of them.

When to see a doctor

If you see the following signs in your feet you should think of taking medical assistance by Podiatrist (a doctor who is specialized in all the foot conditions).

As you have the basic knowledge of location and appearance of the corns. So take the signs as the priority to prevent them at right time.

• If you feel pain while walking or standing.
• Corns vary in size from soft corns to hard corns, if the corns you have on your feet are thick then it is time to take the diagnosis of corns.
• Also, people who are suffering from diabetes, aged, or if you have poor blood circulation. People with these illnesses have the highest risk of developing corns in the feet.

FAQs

a. Difference between corn and callus

Corns occur on smooth, hairless skin that is on the top or on the sides of the toes. They may be hard or soft.

Hard corns are small and occur on firm, hardened skin, and in the bony area of the foot. That is on the bottom side or on the top of the foot.

Whereas Soft corns are whitish and are rubber-like textured. Which are seen in between the toe fingers, and on the moist and sweaty skin?

Callus is seen often on feet but rarely cause on hands, elbows, or knees. These are pale yellow in colour. These are wider in texture without any defined edges when compared with corns.⁵

Both the corns and callus are hardened, thick, and painful causes on the feet due to the pressure or some friction caused on the feet.

It is not a dangerous problem. These are often observed in people who wear tightly fitted shoes, who have sweaty feet, and in people who stand for a long time. Which affects women, when compared to men.

Corns Vs Callus

• Corns causes pain when you touch them, but when coming to callus are not painful.
• Mainly corns are small, circular formed on the toenails, and toenail beds, coming to callus they are larger in structure and vary in shape.
• Both corn and callus will get treated without any doctor consultation, it took some precautions like using pumice stones or by using some antibiotics.
• But there is a situation where both corns and callus need medical treatment.

b. Corn Vs Wart

Corns and Warts look similar and cause at the same place. But, you can say corn and wart by considering some symptoms. Sometimes even doctors find difficult in differentiating corn and wart.

Location of corn:

1. Corn occur on the top of the toes, in between the toes.
2. Corn also cause on the ball of the heel located on the feet in rare cases.

Location of Wart:

1. Under the thumb finger, on the heels and also on the balls of your feet.
2. Warts are classified by both their appearance and location of the body.
3. Warts also appear on whole body other than feet, but you find corns only on the feet.
4. Oftenly, warts appear in a group or in a cluster, when coming to corn they are always single but found in different areas of the feet.
5. The warts are dry, with crusty surface and black dots on the top, and the appearance of the corns will be hard thickened surface and with no black dots.
6. These warts are contagious, they get passed if you walk barefoot on the surfaces like summing pools and showers. The virus that causes warts is Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Direct contact with this virus causes warts.
7. When coming to corns they are not contagious, they appear when a bone feels pressure by a shoe or sandal. This pressure leads to skin thickening and makes the surface hard.

Final Talk

Corns are the hard thickened area of the skin. These corns are not contagious, but are painful and cause discomfort.

Most of the corn that appears, get reduced by themselves in 2-3 weeks with reduced pressure. Corns will re-appear if the feet undergo pressure from ill-fitted shoes or sandals.

This corn appears on the top or sides of your foot or toe. Due to the pressure caused by shoes or sandals the cells in the area of that skin will die, which causes corns.

In this article, you can find all the useful and effective remedies for developed corns. Also, you can find the preventive measures to avoid them beforehand. This problem is not so serious to get worried, with reduced pressure these corns can be reduced.