If you’re struggling with a corn on your foot, you know how annoying of a condition it can be. It’s usually painful or at least a little bit uncomfortable. So, you must be wondering how to get rid of the corn on your toe – is there an effective way to do this on your own, or should you schedule a visit to the doctor? Let’s see what methods for corn removal you can try on your own.
How to Get Rid of a Corn on Your Toe – Start By Removing the Source of Friction
Corns are usually formed due to frequent and excessive pressure and friction in certain areas of the foot. That’s why choosing proper footwear is of utmost importance – you want to remove the source of friction and make sure your shoes don’t make the symptoms even worse. Pick comfortable footwear with enough room for the foot.
File Down the Corn
The first method for corn removal that most people try is filing it down. Since corn is a buildup of thickened, hardened skin, this makes sense. The best tool for this is a pumice stone – it helps remove the layers of dead skin that form the corn quickly and efficiently.
How to Safely File Down Corn?
You have to be careful when using pumice stone so that you don’t damage the surrounding skin. Before filing the corn down, be sure to soak your foot in warm, soapy water and leave it like that for about 20 minutes. Only then can you start filing – warm water will soften the skin, making your job easier.
Get Over-the-Counter Products
If you don’t want to try filing the corn with a pumice stone or if it turns out to be ineffective, the next tip we have for you is to try some over-the-counter products. These are usually made in the form of a pad with medication and most commonly contain salicylic acid.
Is Salicylic Acid an Effective Way to Get Rid of Corns?
Yes, salicylic acid is more than great for dealing with corns. While it’s understandable that you might be scared to put acid on your skin, know that you have nothing to worry about – just make sure that the pad with salicylic acid is correctly positioned on the corn. Salicylic acid breaks down the skin cells that make corn.
Consider Medical Treatments
Unfortunately, not all cases of corns will react to these at-home treatments. Sometimes, the corn simply runs too deep into the skin, and you can’t remove it on your own. Deep corn removal is something that’s better left to medical professionals.
How to Know It Is Time to See a Doctor?
If you’ve been unsuccessful with at-home removal techniques such as filing down the corn or using salicylic acid, reach out to your doctor. Also, if you notice signs of infection in the corn, such as pus or inflamed skin around the corn, it’s time to visit the doctor.
Schedule a Consultation With Your Surgeon in Miami
If you’ve tried every at-home method for corn removal and nothing seems to be working, you should schedule a consultation with an experienced, skilled surgeon who can solve your problem. Our team at Luxe Foot Surgery clinic can help you with this – don’t hesitate to contact us and book your appointment as soon as possible. We’re looking forward to having you as our patient.
FAQ
Do Corns Go Away on Their Own?
Corns can rarely go away on their own. If you want to try to get rid of corn at home, soak your feet in warm, soapy water for 10-20 minutes. After that, file the corn with a pumice stone.
References
- Mayo Clinic. (2021). Corns and Calluses: Diagnosis and Treatment. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/corns-and-calluses/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355951
- Foot & Ankle Group. (2021). How to Safely Remove a Foot Corn at Home. Retrieved from https://www.footandanklegroup.com/how-to-safely-remove-a-foot-corn-at-home/
- Cleveland Clinic. (2021). Corns and Calluses. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16896-corns-and-calluses
- Healthline. (2021). How to Get Rid of Corns at Home. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-get-rid-of-corns
