Hard corns typically form on the edge of the pinky toe. The protruding area is susceptible to friction and pressure, so hard corns develop. Fortunately, you don’t have to wait for it to start hurting, you can use the best home remedy to soften hard pinky toe corn. Are you wondering what this great remedy is? Well, there are a couple that would do the trick. If you want to find out what would work for you, read our in-depth blog.
How to Know You Have Hard Pinky Toe Corn?
Do you want to diagnose yourself instead of seeking an expert’s opinion? It’s always ideal to have a healthcare professional look at your feet and prescribe the best course of action. Sometimes patients are offered corn removal surgery or the option to get rid of the underlying problem that is the cause of hard corns, such as flat feet, hammer toes, and painful bunions.
But, if you don’t know whether you are dealing with a hard pinky toe corn, look for a hardened area of skin on the pinky toe around the bone. If the area hurts a little bit when you apply pressure and if there is a central core, you are dealing with hard corn.
What Is a Home Remedy to Soften Hard Pinky Toe Corn?
There are a couple of absolute best home remedies that will help you soften the stubborn and thick corn on the pinky toe. From soaking the affected foot in warm water to rubbing the area with a pumice stone and using petroleum jelly to dissolve the hardened skin, you can try all the methods until you get the results you want. Let’s delve deeper into how to put these remedies into practice.
Soaking the Affected Area in Warm Water and Epsom Salt
What works for the majority of people is soaking the affected foot in warm water. You can draw a bath and submerge your feet in warm water with Epsom salt for about 15 to 20 minutes. After taking the feet out of the water, gently dry the skin with a towel and rub the corn with a pumice stone to remove the dead skin. After this, apply a moisturizing cream, and the hard corn will dissolve or become soft.
Use of Apple Cider Vinegar or White Vinegar
You can dab a little bit of apple cider vinegar or white vinegar on the hard corn to soften the thick skin. Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid which will help break down the hardened tissue. However, you must use a small amount of vinegar since the acid can potentially damage the healthy skin around the corn.
Application of Lemon Juice or Pineapple
Lemons, lemon juice, or pineapples can do wonders for your feet. First of all, they are effective in softening the tissue. We recommend cutting a slice of lemon and placing it on the corn, while another option is to apply fresh lemon juice and leave it to dry up. The method can be repeated a couple of times a day. Finally, a piece of pineapple peel can be placed on top of the corn and it will make the hard corn softer so you can shave it off with a pumice stone later.
Use of Essential Oils, Such as Tea Tree Oil or Lavender Oil
Essential oils are very helpful at softening hard pinky toe corns. If you don’t want to expose yourself to lotions with salicylic acid, you can use tea tree oil or lavender oil. Tea tree oil has superb anti-fungal, antibacterial, and antiseptic properties. You can apply it to the hard corn by first diluting it with carrier oil. Lavender oil can be applied to the corn directly, and it will be softened quickly.
Use of Over-The-Counter Corn Softening Treatments, Such as Salicylic Acid
There are several over-the-counter treatments available to soften and remove corns on the feet. Some common OTC treatments include:
- Salicylic acid: This is a chemical exfoliant that can be applied topically to help soften and dissolve the thickened skin of the corn.
- Urea: Urea is a moisturizing agent that can be applied topically to help soften and hydrate the skin around the corn.
- Pumice stone: A pumice stone can be used to gently file away the thickened skin of a corn after it has been softened with an OTC treatment.
It is important to follow the instructions on OTC corn treatments carefully, as they can be harsh and cause irritation if not used properly. If your corn does not improve with OTC treatments, or if the corn becomes painful or infected, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional.
What Techniques Should You Apply?
We’ve discussed the remedies you can use and how to apply them so that you get the best results. However, we haven’t discussed when and how to use the techniques that are required for removing hard corns. Let’s delve into the necessary techniques and what you need to know about them.
Use of Pumice Stone or Emery Board
Before using a pumice stone or emery board, soak your feet in warm water for 15 minutes. Then, gently file away the skin of the hard corn. Use circular motions and light pressure. Every once in a while, check your progress. Stop once you see healthy skin. After filing, apply moisturizer. The technique works best if you use it over a period of time.
Application of a Corn Plaster or Pad
If you want to apply a corn plaster or pad, you should first clean and dry your skin. Wash your feet thoroughly. Next, choose a pad or corn plaster that is suitable for the size and location of your hard corn. It shouldn’t be loose or tight. Remove the backing of the pad and place it over the corn. Smooth down the edges and secure them in place. Change the plaster or pad every day or every two days. These corn plasters or pads work as corn protectors on your foot.
Contact Your Miami Doctor and Let Them Get Rid of Corns on Your Pinky Toe
When all alternative techniques and remedies prove to be futile, and when there is a threat of an infection, you should immediately call your Miami doctor. The issue needs to be dealt with right away, and you can get the best help from healthcare professionals at Luxe Foot Surgery. We can answer all of your questions, examine the pinky-toe hard corn and decide whether foot corn surgery is required. Don’t waste any more time and contact us. We are available throughout the week from 9 AM to 6 PM.
FAQ
How Do You Soften Corns Naturally?
Softening corns naturally is possible by soaking the feet in warm water, using lemon juice, and pineapple peel, rubbing essential oils on the corn, and applying a cream or lotion with salicylic acid.
How Do You Soften Hard Skin on Pinky Toes?
The fastest way to soften the hard skin is to apply a cream or lotion with salicylic acid. The acid has the ability to dissolve the keratin protein that is in the dead skin.
How Do You Get Rid of Corns Overnight?
It is not possible to get rid of corns overnight. The only way to completely remove the corn is by undergoing surgery. You can use natural remedies that can help you gradually remove the corn.
References
- Medical News Today. (2019, March 27). Everything you need to know about corns. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324329
- Mayo Clinic. (2019, August 14). Home remedies: Corns and calluses. Retrieved from https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/home-remedies-corns-and-calluses/
- Healthline. (n.d.). How to Get Rid of Corns: Treatments and Home Remedies. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-get-rid-of-corns
- Luxe Foot Surgery. (n.d.). Luxe Foot Surgery. Retrieved from https://www.luxefootsurgery.com/
