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Summer is almost here, and you’re probably wanting to bust out the sandals and other open-toed shoes. Foot corns, however, can put a damper on things. Foot corns are smaller than calluses and have a hard center surrounded by inflamed skin. They tend to develop on parts of your feet that don’t bear weight, such as the tops and sides of the toes and even in between the toes. Corns on the feet are caused by pressure and friction produced from:

  • Wearing shoes that don’t fit properly – Tight shoes and high heels can compress areas of the foot. Shoes that are too loose can also cause the foot to repeatedly rub against the side of a shoe.
  • Skipping socks – Wearing shoes without socks can cause excess friction on your feet.

Not only can corns be painful, but they can also be a source of insecurity, causing you to shy away from those awesome summer sandals you’ve been dying to wear. If a corn becomes extremely painful or inflamed, check in with a health care professional, and if you have diabetes or poor blood flow, consult a doctor before self-treating. That being said, there are a few natural remedies you can use to get rid of your corns once and for all!

1. Castor Oil

  1. Dip a cotton ball into some castor oil, then place it on the corn and tape it. Let the castor oil work its magic on the corn overnight and remove the cotton ball in the morning.
  2. Apply more castor oil to the area several times a day, and repeat until the corn is gone.

2. Pumice Stones

  1. Soak your feet in hot, soapy water for about a half hour to soften your skin.
  2. Next, gently massage your foot with pumice stones back and forth through the corn for up to 5 minutes, then dry your foot. Pumice stone has a rough surface that removes dead skin without scratching it.

3. Lemon Juice

  1. Rub fresh lemon juice on the corn and let it air dry. Lemons are rich in citric acid that softens corns and allows them to eventually fall off.
  2. Repeat this method at least 3 times a day.

4. Apple Cider Vinegar

  1. Put your feet in hot, soapy water with 1 cup of apple cider vinegar for about 15 minutes.
    After the foot bath, put castor oil on your corn.
  2. Repeat this process for 10 days until your corns peel away.

5. Epsom Salt

  1. Add 1/2 cup of Epsom salt into warm water and soak the affected foot for about 20 minutes. Epsom salt baths help to remove dead skin.
  2. After the foot bath, apply a moisturizing cream and wrap your foot for a few hours to let the cream soak through the skin.
  3. When you remove the wrap, gently rub the corn with a pumice stone.

6. Garlic

  1. Rub 1 garlic clove on the corn and let it air dry, then cover the corn with a bandage overnight.
  2. Take the bandage off in the morning and wash your feet with warm water. Repeat this process until the corn disappears.

To prevent corns in the future, be sure to buy and wear shoes that fit appropriately. Make sure they are comfortable and made from soft, pliable material!