Corns can be caused by shoes that do not fit properly
When uncomfortable and ill-fitting shoes are combined with long hours of walking and standing, the inevitable result is foot pain and the strong possibility of corns. Callouses form on the feet and toes whenever they are forced against the stiff sides of shoes, and when these callouses grow inward and press against the bones of the feet and the nerve endings, pain and discomfort can result. Thankfully, corns are fairly easy to treat, and completely removing corns from feet can be accomplished in a number of ways.
Instructions
Soak Your Feet
1. Prepare a foot soak by mixing 1 cup of Epsom salts and 1 cup of baking soda. You may add a few drops of essential oils for a pleasing smell if you like. Peppermint or lavender are good oils to choose.
2. Fill a container large enough to hold both of your feet with hot water (as hot as you can stand without burning yourself), then stir in 3 tbsp. of the foot soak mixture per gallon of water until it is dissolved. Allow to steep for 10 minutes.
3. Soak your feet in the water and foot soak solution for up to 30 minutes to soften the corns before you attempt to scrub them off.
Scrub Your Feet
4. Use a pumice stone specifically for smoothing feet or purchase a specialty device like the Ped Egg.
5. Scrub the surface of the corn with the pumice stone or Ped Egg-type device in a slow, circular motion. Press firmly, but gently, so as to not damage healthy skin around the corn.
6. Stop scrubbing when the healthy skin beneath the corn begins to feel stimulated by the scrubbing. This is a sign that the dead skin of the corn--which will feel numb as you scrub it--has been worn away to expose the living skin beneath.
7. Clean the pumice stone or Ped Egg-style device thoroughly to rid all traces of dead skin.
Use Corn Remover Creams or Pads
8. Purchase a corn pad or corn removal kit from any drug store.
9. Read the directions completely before use.
10. Use a horseshoe-shaped or donut-shaped corn pad that will avoid putting too much pressure directly in the center of the corn. Avoid medicated corn pads.
Consult a Professional
11. Contact a professional pedicure specialist in your area and inquire about the services offered and their effectiveness for corns.
12. Consult with a podiatrist if the corns are too extensive or sensitive to self-treat or eliminate with a pedicure. The doctor can explore treatment options that include medicines and surgical procedures.
13. Request assistance from local shoe stores to find a comfortable shoe that is fitted properly to your feet to help ease the pressure on corns and prevent new ones from forming.
Tags: foot soak, pumice stone, your feet, dead skin, healthy skin