Although not dangerous, corns and calluses They can make your life miserable. Not to mention, these hardened layers of skin can take a lot away from the beauty of your feet and hands. Fortunately, there are several home remedies for corns and calluses which you can use to reduce the associated pain and also get rid of them. Before we get into home remedies, let’s take a look at what exactly these corns and calluses are. This will help you understand how they develop and what steps you can take to prevent their recurrence.
What are corns and calluses?
When the skin experiences excessive and regular pressure, it thickens in response to this pressure. According to the Mayo Clinic on its website, it states that corns and calluses are not the same:
- Corns are smaller than calluses and have a hard center surrounded by inflamed skin. Calluses often develop on non-weight-bearing parts of the feet, such as the tips and sides of the toes, and even between the toes. They can also be found at weight-bearing points. Corns can be painful when pressure is put on them.
- Calluses are rarely painful. They generally form on the soles of the feet, especially under the heels or metatarsal region, on the palms, or on the knees. Calluses vary in size and shape, and are often larger than corns.
Home remedies for corns and calluses
There are numerous home remedies to remove the corns and calluses of the feet, but it is better to use several remedies simultaneously if you want to get rid of them quickly.
Castor oil
This home remedy has been used for centuries. The oil softens the callus and eventually makes it disappear. This method to treat calluses is one of the best home remedies as it is fast. You will notice results in just three to four days.
Apply castor oil on the callus three times a day. Repeat this every day until the callus is gone. It is important not to apply castor oil on broken skin.
Apple vinager
Apple cider vinegar exfoliates dead skin cells and softens corns and calluses. It is also antibacterial in nature and will kill any bacteria that may be lurking near the affected area.
You will need warm water, 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, 1 to 2 drops of tea tree oil, and cotton balls. After soaking your feet in a warm water bath for a few minutes, dab apple cider vinegar on the callus with a cotton ball. Keep the cotton ball pressed firmly against the callus for about five minutes.
Let the vinegar dry. Next, apply tea tree oil to the callus.
Use this home remedy for calluses on your feet every day and you will notice that the callus will fall off in two or three days.
Sodium bicarbonate
Baking soda also exfoliates dead skin cells from corns and calluses. It is an antiseptic and will keep the area free from infection
You will need 1 tablespoon of baking soda, 1 tablespoon of water, and 1 teaspoon of lime juice (optional). Mix baking soda with water (and lime juice) to form a paste. Apply this paste on the callus. Let it act overnight. If you are using this paste on your toes, place cotton balls between your toes to keep them apart.
Do this every night for five to seven days. It will help the callus dry out and disintegrate. Make sure the paste does not touch any other part of your skin. Otherwise, it will dry out your healthy skin.
Garlic
Garlic is used as a home remedy for a number of ailments, including calluses. This is one of the most effective home remedies to remove calluses that can be best used at night. A recent clinical trial showed that garlic causes effective removal of callus tissue from the body.
You will need a clove of garlic and a bandage. Cut the garlic clove in half. Rub half of the callus for about a minute. Place the other half of the garlic clove on the callus and cover it with the bandage. The next morning, wash the area as you normally do. Do this every night. Within a few days, your callus will disappear.
Turmeric
This is an Asian home remedy to cure corns and calluses can be quite effective. The healing and antimicrobial properties of turmeric, along with the soothing properties of honey, will heal the callus in just a few days.
You will need 1 tablespoon of turmeric powder and 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons of honey. Make a thick paste of turmeric powder and honey. Apply on the callus and let the paste air dry. Rinse once it has dried. Apply this paste twice a day. You will notice that the callus shrinks in size in about two to three days.
Aspirin
In addition to curing headaches, aspirin can also help get rid of painful corns and calluses. This home remedy is a simple corn and callus softening agent. The salicylic acid present in aspirin will dissolve corns and calluses easily.
You will need some aspirin tablets, water, gauze or a bandage, and a pumice stone. Grind them aspirin and make a thick paste with a few drops of water.
Apply the paste on the callus and seal it with gauze or a bandage. Leave it overnight. Rub the affected area with the pumice stone in the morning. Repeat the process every day until the callus is gone. You should see results in about two weeks.
You can also prepare a paste with lemon juice and 5 crushed aspirin, apply on clean feet. Put on some socks or wrap your feet in a small towel. Let it act for 20 or 30 minutes. Rinse your feet with warm water and neutral soap.
Next, take the pumice stone and gently rub the affected areas, using gentle movements, to begin to remove the calluses from the feet. Finally, dry your feet well with a clean, dry towel. Repeat the procedure another day if you consider that it still has calluses. Avoid doing it the same day or the next, as it can damage the skin excessively.
Do not use this remedy if you are allergic to aspirin.
Onion
Onion is a simple home remedy to treat corns and calluses. Its antioxidants improve the healing process of these annoying skin growths. It has been shown to reduce the appearance of scarring on the skin, and this property will be beneficial when the corn or callus has healed. It will make sure that there are no marks or scars.
You will need onion slice and gauze. Place a slice of onion on the callus and secure it with the help of gauze. Leave the onion slice overnight and discard it the next morning. Do this every day and you will see results in a week.
bread and vinegar
The vinegar in the bread softens corns and calluses, and they can simply be rubbed off in the morning. You will need a piece of bread, white vinegar and gauze. Soak the bread in vinegar and place it on the affected area. Secure it with the gauze. You can also cover with plastic wrap. Let it act overnight.
You will notice a substantial difference in the callus in the morning. Repeat this for another night or two to completely remove the callus.