How to get rid of corns at home
Smooth and well-groomed skin of the legs is the dream of any woman, and men too. With calluses and rough skin on the heels, open shoes can be forgotten. We learn what corns are and how to quickly get rid of them at home

If the corn is left untreated, it will grow, causing pain and discomfort when walking. It is unlikely that you will be able to get rid of corns on your own – therefore, it is better to immediately contact a dermatologist or a podiatrist (a specialist who treats problems with the feet). The doctor will assess the problem and prescribe a competent treatment that will help get rid of corns in a short time.

What are corns

Calluses are areas of hardened, keratinized skin on the feet that have formed due to constant or frequent friction and pressure.1. Uncomfortable tight shoes, heels, work on the feet contribute to the fact that the dead cells of the epidermis do not have time to exfoliate and accumulate, layer by layer being pressed into each other. This is how corns are formed – a kind of protection of the skin of the feet from increased loads.1.

Types of corns 

SignTrampleddry cornplantar wart
Colorgrey, yellowwhite, yellowishbodily
Root          —           +           +
Clear boundaries          —           +           +
Size> 2 cm<1-2 sm<1-2 sm
Morbiditypain, burningpressure painpain when walking
Skin patternnot amendeddistorteddistorted
Placement Locationssinglesingleplural
The cause offrictionfrictionvirus

10 best ways to treat corns

Before treating corns, it is better to seek advice from a dermatologist and a podiatrist. The doctor will identify the problem, prescribe procedures that will quickly relieve you of rough skin on the feet, and also advise prevention that will prevent the return of corns.

1. Plasters from corns

 The range of patches for corns and dry calluses is very wide. They differ in price and quality of the basis for softening and removing hardened skin.

Salipod patch corn

A classic tissue patch with salicylic acid to soften and remove corns and dry calluses.

in a set of different sizes of the patch, affordable price.
Removal of even unopened corns will take a long time.
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Compeed corn patch

 Compeed hydrocolloid patches are different from plain adhesive patches. They not only prevent infection from entering the inflamed area, but also affect the corn itself, providing the moisture necessary for healing. The patch softens the corns, reduces pain.

There are sizes available – small, medium, large. Stays on the skin for up to three days.
high price.
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2. Ointments for corns

Also, for the treatment of corns, the doctor may prescribe special ointments that moisturize and exfoliate the rough skin of the feet.

Cerave SA foot cream

Renewing cream contains a complex of ceramides and hyaluronic acid, which maintain the natural level of skin hydration. Salicylic acid and ammonium lactate effectively exfoliate and smooth out very dry skin on the feet. If you use this cream regularly, then the formation of corns and dry calluses can be forgotten.

fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, effectively moisturize dry skin.
small volume – only 88 ml.
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Uroderm

Cream Uroderm is a medicine for rough skin of the hands and feet. Urea in a high concentration in the composition increases elasticity, softens and moisturizes the skin. It is used to treat hyperkeratosis, small cracks, ichthyosis, dry calluses and corns. The duration of application is not limited.

proven drug efficacy.                    
not often found in pharmacies.
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3. Sticks from corns

Sticks help a lot from the formation of corns and corns. Before leaving the house, a protective layer is applied to clean, dry feet, which reduces friction, eliminates skin roughness and the formation of calluses. This layer dries in 7-10 seconds, leaving no marks on shoes and clothes. The sticks may contain refreshing menthol, aloe vera extract, which moisturizes and nourishes the skin, hydrogenated vegetable oil.

When choosing a stick, it is safe to say that the more expensive the product, the better it protects and stays on the skin longer.

Compeed Anti-Blister Pencil

Protects against the appearance of corns with a natural moisturizing formula. Instantly reduces friction between the leather and the inside of the shoe. Invisible, ideal for open shoes.

easy to apply, leaves no residue and does not make the feet slippery.
high price.
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Medifeet Callus Protection Pen

Colorless, convenient Russian version of the security stick. Prevents chafing of the skin and the formation of calluses. Leaves no traces.

very affordable price.
ends quickly.
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4. Special fixtures

In the presence of any deformities of the foot and toes, even comfortable shoes constantly irritate the protruding parts. Special devices protect, elevate a protruding toe, straighten a slight curvature, and can completely eliminate walking discomfort.2.

The pads are filled with gel to cushion the bulge and provide temporary relief. These devices should be in the arsenal of diabetics and the elderly to avoid complications from corns and corns.

silicone pads

Silicone pads are designed to protect and relieve pressure when the foot slips in the shoe. The pads will protect the skin from chafing and other pain.

easy to use, do not fall off the foot.
The size is standard, so it will not fit on a large corns.
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Trim ring

This device is designed for gentle and reliable protection of the toes. The ring will protect the toes and the foot itself from the consequences of painful friction, and will serve as a prevention of corns when wearing new shoes. The main indication for wearing the ring is very hard dry corns, core and watery corns.

The slip ring is securely glued to calluses and corns thanks to the self-adhesive layer.

invisible when worn and suitable for any shoes.
If you choose the wrong size, there may be discomfort when wearing.
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Silicone interdigital pads

Silicone interdigital pads reduce the load on the forefoot, relieve pressure and eliminate pain from hammer toes, solve the problem of little toe deformity and give the foot the correct position. The device prevents any damage to the skin at the place where such a separator is worn.

The quality of the material ensures comfortable use.
rarely, with prolonged wear, fingers may become numb.
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5. Orthopedic insoles 

If the foot or toes are deformed, orthopedic insoles will help to eliminate the risk of recurrence of corns. For their selection, consultation with an orthopedist is necessary.

Frame orthopedic insoles

With hallux valgus and increased loads on the legs, such insoles form the correct position of the foot at the moment of support, reduce the impact load on the leg joints and spine. The skin does not need to build up and thicken layers to protect against friction and stress.

proper gait and healthy foot skin.
high price.
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Gel half insole on the cuffs

It is used for deformation of the fingers, as well as for excessive load from long walking. Ideal for feet where corns often form under the toes. The perforated semi-insole provides air circulation, the skin breathes and does not sweat.

almost invisible on the foot, the size is universal.
With active wear, it wears out quickly.
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6. Orthopedic shoes

Orthopedic shoes are a real support for the feet. Properly selected shoes will make the gait easy, confident and will serve the treatment and prevention of disorders of the musculoskeletal system of the legs.3.

The best option is to order custom shoes for your foot. But if this is not possible, then you can buy ready-made orthopedic shoes in a pharmacy or salon3.

you can go for long walks.
the high cost of custom-made shoes, you need to wait a long time for custom-made shoes.

7. Cryodestruction

Cryodestruction will help get rid of even old skin growths and calluses. Liquid nitrogen has a point effect on the corns and freezes keratinized tissues, disrupting their blood supply. Subsequently, the “frozen” tissue dies, and new healthy skin forms under it.

The procedure lasts a few minutes and is almost painless, so it does not require anesthesia. Cryodestruction will help get rid of a small single corns. If the corns are large or several single ones have merged into one, it is better to consider another method of treatment.

The procedure is bloodless and does not require anesthesia.
after the procedure, pain and inflammation may occur. To achieve the effect, several procedures may be required.

8. Laser therapy

The laser penetrates deep into the skin and affects the entire thickness of the rod. As a result, tissues receive the so-called “microburn”, are destroyed and evaporated. The laser beam destroys dead corn cells without affecting healthy tissues. After some time, new skin is formed at the site of the procedure.

Laser therapy is contraindicated in patients with diabetes and cancer patients.

one procedure is enough to remove corns.
high cost, after the procedure you need to wear a special bandage.

9. Radio wave therapy

Radio wave therapy is another popular and effective method of treating chronic, dry calluses and corns. Removal of the site of hyperkeratosis takes place due to the thermal effect of high-frequency radio waves on keratinized cells. The main advantage of the radio wave method is the possibility of targeting pathologically altered tissues without damaging healthy ones. The procedure lasts only 2-5 minutes.

quickly and without scars on the skin.
high cost of the procedure, long healing time (up to 14 days).

10. Hardware removal

The simplest, most effective, painless and effective method of removing dead skin. During the procedure, hemispherical grinding caps are used, which delicately remove even large growths of dead skin. The procedure is non-traumatic and does not harm healthy tissues.

painless procedure, restores smoothness to the skin.
you need to find an experienced specialist with high-quality equipment.

Doctor’s advice on getting rid of corns

Orthopedists-traumatologists consider the main condition for the treatment of corns to be the creation of optimal conditions for the foot. High-quality shoes worn on a toe or footprint, plus a suitable insole, is not just a prevention of the formation of corns, but also the prevention of the development of arthrotic changes in the joints.

Also, many experts recommend using the procedures of modern aesthetic medicine to solve the problem of corns: hardware pedicure, cryotherapy and laser therapy. In addition, it is necessary to pay attention to the identification and treatment of chronic diseases. An integrated approach to the treatment of corns will help to avoid relapses.

Popular questions and answers

Answers to the most popular questions regarding the treatment of corns podiatrist Anna Obukhova.

Why does corns appear?

– Reasons for the appearance of corns:

• deformity of the foot (flat feet, impaired bone metabolism);

• features of the skin of the foot;

• features of the vascular system;

• individual metabolism;

• hormonal changes;

• chronic diseases;

• excess weight;

• wearing uncomfortable shoes or shoes with thin soles;

• low-calorie diet;

• fungal lesions of the skin and nails;

• lack of daily foot care.

What do corns look like?

– These are dense areas of keratinized skin, formed due to friction or pressure on the skin. Calluses do not have clear boundaries and occupy an area larger than a common corn.

The shape of the corns are convex or flat, and the color can vary from yellowish to dark gray. The surface of the corns may be smooth or rough. Rough corns can be complicated by cracks.

Soreness manifests itself while walking, and not only the area of ​​uXNUMXbuXNUMXbthe corns hurts. The tissues surrounding it hurt more and become inflamed more often.

Why are corns dangerous?

– If you do not remove the corns, then its area will become larger. The inflamed and painful skin around the corn will start to hurt more. Blood circulation in the entire foot will worsen. Increased fatigue of the legs and pain in the feet will become constant companions. Increasingly, the legs will begin to swell, the gait will inevitably change. Long-term incorrect distribution of the load on the spine leads to the formation of protrusions and intervertebral hernias.

If cracks have formed in the corns and inflammation has joined, then this is a serious problem for patients with vascular and nervous system pathologies, as well as for patients with diabetes mellitus. In this case, a non-healing trophic ulcer may form. 

  1. Transverse flat feet and angiotrophic changes in the skin of the feet. Savintsev A.M., Obukhov I.E. Bulletin of St. Petersburg University. Medicine, 2014. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/poperechnoe-ploskostopie-i-angiotroficheskie-izmeneniya-kozhi-stop
  2. Conservative treatment of interdigital calluses of the feet on an outpatient basis. Kiseleva Yu.D. Bulletin of Operative Surgery and Topographic Anatomy, 2020. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/konservativnoe-lechenie-mezhpaltsevyh-mozoley-stop-na-ambulatornom-prieme
  3. Recommendations for the manufacture of orthopedic shoes for patients with diabetes mellitus. Bregovskiy V.B., Volkova G.Yu., Galstyan G.R. Gorokhov S.V. Diabetes mellitus journal, 2006

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