Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsMethodsAftercareSeeking Medical Care
Table of ContentsView All
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Table of Contents
Methods
Aftercare
Seeking Medical Care
Many corn removal methods involve eliminating the source of friction so your skin can heal. Most corns improve with conservative treatment that uses home remedies or over-the-counter products. While these treatments can produce results, they can’t remove a corn on your foot overnight.
Corns, which are hardened layers of skin resulting from friction, can also be removed with surgery. This is only performed when other treatments fail, and symptoms persist. Trying to do this on your own is not advised because it poses a risk of infection.
This article describes nine corn removal methods and the steps involved. It also discusses when you should consult a healthcare provider.
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Do I Have to Remove Corns?Without treatment, a corn can causefoot pain. It can harm your posture, your manner of walking, and your foot alignment.
Do I Have to Remove Corns?
Without treatment, a corn can causefoot pain. It can harm your posture, your manner of walking, and your foot alignment.
Different Ways to Remove Corns
There are several different ways to remove corns. The most appropriate treatment for your corn depends on your symptoms, your general health, and the severity of your problem.
A corn that isn’t bothering you can probably be left alone without intervention. If you are a healthy adult with a minor corn, you may be able to manage the problem with conservative treatment.
However, if you have a corn with severe symptoms that interfere with your ability to walk normally and participate in daily activities, you may benefit from a medical evaluation. This is especially important if you have a chronic condition like diabetes, which can affect the sensation in your feet.
Corn Removal Techniques to Avoid
Home Remedies
Home remedies for corn removal may be appropriate for removing mild corns. These treatments involve removing the source of friction using the following techniques:
#1 Change to shoes that don’t cause friction at the site of the corn:
#2 Trim your toenails:
Over-the-Counter
Over-the-counter (OTC) products can help relieve pressure and reduce the size of your corn. These options include the following:
#3 Soak the corn in warm water before using a pumice stone:
#4 Apply moisturizing lotions or creams:
#5 Use foot padding:
#6 Wear insoles in your shoes:
Diabetes and Corn RemovalConsult with your healthcare provider before beginning any home remedy or OTC treatment if you have diabetes.These conditions can lead to nerve damage and poor blood flow in your feet, making them more vulnerable tofoot ulcersand infection from treatments that remove skin or leave skin exposed.
Diabetes and Corn Removal
Consult with your healthcare provider before beginning any home remedy or OTC treatment if you have diabetes.These conditions can lead to nerve damage and poor blood flow in your feet, making them more vulnerable tofoot ulcersand infection from treatments that remove skin or leave skin exposed.
Consult with your healthcare provider before beginning any home remedy or OTC treatment if you have diabetes.
These conditions can lead to nerve damage and poor blood flow in your feet, making them more vulnerable tofoot ulcersand infection from treatments that remove skin or leave skin exposed.
Surgery
#7 Research surgical options to remove a corn:
Surgery is only advised when conservative treatments fail. The procedure involves removing the corn and correcting abnormal mechanical stressors causing the formation of the corn.
The following office-based procedure using local anesthesia is a typical surgical method:
Note that this procedure is more commonly performed in a surgical center or hospital.
Other Medical Interventions
#8 Consider cortisone injections:
Acortisone injectioninto the foot or affected toe may be used if your corn is causing significant pain. This will only help decrease pain and inflammation and not remove the corn.
#9 Have a podiatrist shave the corn with a surgical blade:
Note that this is the most common treatment for corns.
Corn Removal Aftercare
If you have corn removal surgery that involves an incision, the incision will be closed with stitches and covered with a bandage and dressing. Total recovery time ranges from six weeks to three months.
You can expect to follow these instructions for surgical corn removal aftercare:
When Should You See a Healthcare Provider?
Corn vs. Callus: Similarities, Differences, Location, Removal
Summary
There are nine common ways to remove a painful corn. Most corns improve with options that involve taking away the source of friction with home treatments. OTC products can also reduce pain and help improve symptoms.
If these treatments fail, you may be advised to have corn removal surgery. This in-office treatment is done with local anesthesia. While this procedure can reduce symptoms and provide long-term relief, its full recovery can take up to three months.
You should not attempt to perform at-home corn treatments if you have diabetes or another chronic condition. Doing so can put you at risk of having a foot infection and serious foot problems.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Podiatric Medical Association.Corns and calluses.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to treat corns and calluses.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons,Corns.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Your foot and diabetes.
Harftord HealthCare.Calluses and corns.
Mount Sinai.Corns and calluses.
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