Corns and calluses often affect the skin on the feet. Due to friction and rubbing, these thick areas of hardened skin form when wearing shoes or boots that fit poorly. Other areas of the skin, such as the surface of fingers or knees, may also develop corns from continual rubbing. While removing the cause of the friction may help corns and calluses heal, others require treatment to reduce the size and help eliminate discoloration in the affected area.
Step 1
Reduce the chafing in the area by removing the source of friction. Wear socks to protect and cushion corns on your feet. Choose properly fitting shoes to reduce continual rubbing. Wear work gloves or gardening gloves to protect the skin on your hands from repeated rubbing during work or hobbies that create friction.
Step 2
Fill a bowl or basin with warm, soapy water. Immerse the area containing the corns in the soapy water and soak for about 10 minutes. Rinse the soap off your skin with clean, warm water. Without drying your skin, gently buff the corns with a pumice stone. WomensHealth.com advises using a pumice stone to rub off dead skin. You can find these small, rough stones in most grocery, department and drug stores. Using gentle pressure, lightly sand the raised area over your corns. Rinse off the loosened skin with warm water. Dry the surface with a soft towel. Repeat this procedure once each day to remove the corns.
Step 3
Apply a moisturizing lotion to the skin containing the corns. Gently massage the lotion into your skin to help keep the rough, dry areas hydrated. Allow the lotion sufficient time to absorb and dry.
Step 4
Apply a fabric corn pad to help protect the corn while it heals. These over-the-counter cushions have thick padding around the circumference, with holes in the center to reduce pressure over the raised portion of your corns. The Mayo Clinic recommends using these pads to protect the area where corns develop. Choose non-medicated pads to avoid the risk of irritation and infection.
Step 5
Cover your corns with sunscreen to reduce the possibility of discoloration. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, an irregular dispersion of pigment may occur after skin inflammation. Protect your healing corn by keeping it out of the sunlight as much as possible until the inflammation disappears.
Step 6
Use a nonprescription fade cream that contains hydroquinone to help treat discolored areas left from corns and help return your skin color to its original condition. Apply the hydroquinone cream to your dry skin, according to the instructions.
Step 7
Talk to your doctor about laser resurfacing. The skin under your healed corn may appear lighter or darker than the surrounding skin tone. According to the Mayo Clinic, laser resurfacing may help treat uneven skin tone and certain types of scars.
Things You'll Need
- Socks
- Gloves
- Bowl
- Soap
- Water
- Pumice stone
- Towel
- Lotion
- Corn pads
- Sunscreen
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