Removing Corns
Tips for Preventing and Removing Corns
Corns can be painful and inconvenient, so these tips for preventing and removing corns can be helpful to anyone who has suffered from this annoyance. A corn is basically just a layer of rough, dead skin called a callus that forms on the foot or in between the toes. A corn can cause sharp pains in the feet and toes, because wearing shoes or walking will put pressure on the nerves via the corns. This is why preventing and eventually removing corns is necessary to eliminate the pain and discomfort.
What Causes Corns
Corns are almost always caused by the friction that comes from the toes rubbing against the sides of shoes or chafing against neighboring toes. Toes have a tendency to rub or be irritated when shoes, socks or stockings do not fit properly, and this can easily lead to problems with corns. If shoes are too small, the feet and toes tend to rub against the sides and top of the shoes because they are not roomy enough to accommodate the width or length of the foot. When socks or stockings are too tight, they squeeze the toes together which can cause chafing and lead to corns.
Small shoes are not the only cause for corns, either. When shoes are too big, the foot will have a tendency to move around inside the shoe, and this can also cause corns. Another shoe culprit when it comes to corns is the high-heeled pump. High heels with narrow toes put the squeeze on the toes causing unnecessary friction between the toes. Toes that are crooked or deformed can also rub uncomfortable against one another and lead to the formation of corns between the toes.
Preventing and Alleviating the Discomfort Caused by Corns
The tips for preventing corns and relieving the pressure caused by corns on the feet and toes are fairly simple:
PREVENTION:
> Only wear shoes that fit properly. Do not wear shoes that are too big or too small because either one can lead to the development of corns.
> Stay away from socks and stockings that fit too tightly around the toes.
ALLEVIATING DISCOMFORT
> Wear a thick pair of socks to help absorb pressure and pain caused by the corns. Be sure the thicker socks do not make your shoes too tight. When you have a problem with corns, getting shoes a half-size bigger for the extra room may be necessary, especially if you are wearing thicker socks.
> Wear corn pads, which can be purchased at any drug store. These pads act fit directly over the corn and help alleviate pressure being put on the corns when walking around.
> Hand lotion with lanolin and petroleum jelly can also be applied to the corns to soften them up and reduce the pain.
Permanently Removing Corns
Completely removing corns is the best way to totally eliminate the pain and pressure. There are a number of medicated pads and solutions that will take care of corns by using acid or other chemicals to burn the corns away. These remedies should be used with care and a doctor’s advise, because the chemicals may cause adverse reactions.
Corns can also be removed at home by soaking the foot in very warm water and then filing the corn away with a pumice stone. The corns should be soaked for at least five minutes so that the skin making up the corn will be softened up. When using the pumice stone, rub gently to file the corn off of the foot. This process may take a few treatments, but it is safe and can be done at home.