Natural Ways to Remove Stubborn Corns & Calluses

Corns and calluses are common on feet and can sometimes be painful. There are several ways you can remove corns and calluses at home using natural products, but you may have to try several different methods before you find one that works for you, and you should know when to see a doctor in case the condition doesn't improve.

Shaving

• Some people who have bad calluses go to the doctor to have the callus shaved off, but you can do this at home if you are very careful. Special callus razors are available over the counter, and they help to ensure that you won't cut yourself. If you cut yourself while attempting to shave a callus, you will be at risk for infection. You might try shaving your callus after you've taken a warm bath or shower, so that the callus will be soft and will come off more easily.

  If you have diabetes or circulation problems, you should not try to shave a callus yourself because of the risk of injury.

Vinegar

• Nature's Natural Healing touts the use of vinegar for removing corns and calluses. To remove either a corn or callus with apple cider vinegar, you should soak a cloth or bandage in the vinegar and wrap it around your corn or callus. Next, wrap the whole bandage in a plastic sack and leave it on overnight. Moon Dragon's Health and Wellness suggests crumbling some bread in one tsp. of vinegar and letting the mixture stand for 30 minutes to form a paste. Then, apply the paste to your corn before going to bed and leave the paste on overnight.

Other Methods

• Another way to get rid of corns and calluses is to use an abrasive material to help peel the skin away. A relaxing way to do this is to soak the corn or callus in warm water with Epsom salts. The warm water softens your skin, and the salts help scrub the corn or callus away.

  Mother Nature recommends making a mixture of one tsp. lemon juice, one tsp. dried chamomile and one clove of crushed garlic. Apply the mixture to your corn or callus once or twice daily until it is gone.

When to See a Doctor

• You should stop trying to treat your corn or callus naturally at home and see your doctor if it is red and feels hot to the touch, if it cracks, bleeds and looks blue or if it doesn't improve after several days.