Removing Your Corns and Calluses

Corns and calluses are defined as “thickened areas of skin [which] form as a result of friction or pressure on the skin,” according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Corns and calluses develop to protect the skin, and often develop on the feet and toes. Treating your corns and calluses involves soaking them in warm water so they soften, then using a pumice stone to file them in a moderate manner, applying moisturizer that preferably has salicylic acid, urea, or ammonium lactate, and then using pads to cover and protect your filed corns and calluses.

Corns: What are they? And how do you get rid of them?
Corns can be described as areas of the skin that have thickened to the point of becoming painful or irritating. They are often layers and layers of the skin that have become dry and rough, and are normally smaller than calluses.

Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as wearing:
- Well-fitting socks
- Comfortable shoes that are not tight around your foot
- Shoes that offer support

Treating Corns
Treatment of corns involves removing the dead skin that has built up in the specific area of the foot. Salicylic acid can help in getting rid of these corns because it dissolves keratin, which is the protein that makes up a good majority of corns. Podiatrists recommend that people with diabetes not use salicylic acid but should consult with their podiatrist regarding the treatment of corns.