Corns form when there is friction or pressure over a bony area on your foot. Generally, the areas that are affected are joints. There are five types of corns – hard corns, soft corns, neurovascular corns, fibrous corns, and seed corns. Here you can learn how to remove soft corns quickly and efficiently at home. If there are complications and the soft corn won’t disappear over a month or two, consider getting a corn removal surgery.
What Are Soft Corns?
Soft corns develop the same way as hard corns, but they look entirely different. Their texture is rubbery, and their color is generally whitish or yellowish. Soft corns form most commonly between a person’s toes. In this area, the skin is very moist. Sweat and friction are two factors that bring about corn formation.
What Are the Causes and Symptoms of Soft Corns?
The main causes of soft corns are movement and pressure. The bony areas in our toes rub against the skin, which irritates it, while the sweat and moisture cause a lesion to form. If you notice a hardened bump on your toe or if the skin has become thick, a soft corn might have developed. The sure signs are tenderness and pain, which occur while you stand or walk.
How to Remove Soft Corns With Home Remedies?
There are various natural remedies that might aid in the attempt of getting rid of soft corns. The most effective way is to simply soften the hardened skin by submerging your feet in warm soapy water. Then, you can use a pumice stone to shave the soft corn off. Remember that pulling it out is not an option. After using the pumice stone, you can apply a moisturizing cream which will help the skin heal.
Soaking in Warm Water
Don’t just wash your feet in warm water but make sure that you keep your feet in the soapy water in your bath for approximately 10 to 15 minutes. The thick skin will become softer so that when you apply your cream or shave the corn with your pumice stone it will be more effective.
Using Over-the-Counter Corn Cushions
Protecting the affected area is vital. This is why using over-the-counter corn cushions can be beneficial. Also, with corn cushions, you will be free from the pain since the skin won’t be exposed to the shoe’s surface.
Applying Vinegar or Lemon Juice
Vinegar or lemon juice can be used instead of creams that contain salicylic acid. It is a natural way to dissolve the keratin protein that is found in soft corns. Also, it is more suitable for people who have diabetes since they are advised against using salicylic acid. The acid in vinegar and lemons successfully removes corns. You can put vinegar on a cotton wool ball or cut a slice of lemon and apply it to the affected area. Keep one or the other on the foot overnight.
Massaging With Petroleum Jelly
Treating a soft corn with petroleum jelly is very simple yet effective. The formula removes the moisture that is found in the thickened skin, making it hydrated and soft. You can put a layer of petroleum jelly on the corn overnight and you’ll see that it will disappear by itself in a couple of weeks.
How to Remove Soft Corns With Medical Treatments?
There are a couple of treatments that can be offered to the patient before surgery is discussed. The first treatment is shaving off the thickened skin. A doctor can shave the soft corn with a disinfected scalpel. This way is safer than if you would do it on your own.
Another method is getting a patch from your doctor that contains salicylic acid. You will be informed when the patch needs to be replaced and how long you should keep it on the foot. Also, if you have a foot deformity such as a hammer toe or bunion, the doctor can suggest an appropriate treatment that would solve the problem of the corn as well.
Prescription Creams or Ointments
The best prescription creams and ointments that your doctor might recommend are ones that contain urea, ammonium lactate, and salicylic acid. They will make the condition much better by softening the hardened skin so the soft corn can be removed.
Surgical Procedures
A doctor can determine that the best option is to perform a corn removal surgery when all other methods prove to be futile. If you are at risk of getting an infection or the corn is too painful, undergoing surgery can do away with the problem. It lasts approximately 30 minutes and the surgeon makes an incision to remove the corn. Once it is pulled from the foot, the incision is closed, and the patient is allowed to recover at home.
Contact Your Surgeon in Miami and Schedule Corn Removal
Do you need a professional to have a look at the soft corn on your foot? If you are at a loss for who you should turn to for help, Luxe Foot Surgery is the place to go. Our team will schedule an appointment and a surgeon will determine how the foot should be treated and what other remedies are necessary for preventing the corns from appearing again. Contact us and resolve the stubborn issue.
FAQ
Do Soft Corns Go Away?
Yes, they can easily go away if you don’t have any other foot condition. You primarily need to eliminate the reason behind the formation of the corns. If it’s poorly fitting shoes or strenuous physical activity, once you eliminate the causes, the corn will go away.
How Do You Fix Soft Corns?
You can fix soft corn by eliminating the cause, using natural remedies such as lemon juice and petroleum jelly, or by having a corn removal surgery.
Do Soft Corns Have Roots?
No, soft corns do not have roots. They are just thickened skin lesions that are pushed into the patient’s foot. They cannot form roots, and they can be surgically removed.
References:
- The Stride Clinic explains why soft corns can be painful despite their name: https://www.strideclinic.com/blog/soft-corns-why-are-they-so-sore-when-their-name-sounds-so-fluffy/
- The NHS provides basic information about corns and calluses, including causes and treatments: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/corns-and-calluses/
- The National Library of Medicine offers a comprehensive review of corns and calluses, including diagnosis and treatment options: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470374/
