Causes
A callus is an area of thickened skin that appears
over sites of repeated or prolonged friction and pressure. The involved area is
yellow and roughened. Calluses are most commonly located on the palms and serve
as a clue to the activity of a person, for example, the callused hands of a
bowler or tennis player.
A corn
is a discomforting, raised area of skin with a smooth, firm surface that
produces pain on pressure. Corns arise most frequently on the top and sides of
the fifth toes. Tight, poorly fitting shoes are the usual cause.
Corns
and calluses may be treated with acid plaster applied to the lesion and covered
with adhesive tape. Painful corns may require surgical removal. Wide,
well-fitting shoes prevent the recurrence of most corns.
Remedies
An easy method to relieve corns is to soak your feet
in plain lukewarm water for 5 to 10 minutes, then use a pumice stone to
gently rub off the dead skin a little at a time. If you have diabetes,
decreased sensation or poor circulation, check with your podiatrist
before you begin this program. After you have rubbed your feet, use a
moisturizing cream such as vitamin E cream or vitamin E oil to help keep
your feet soft.
Folk
Apple cider vinegar Soak a small piece of cloth in
vinegar and bind it on the toe; leave it on day and night. The corn
will come out by the root. Another variation is to soak the feet in a
shallow pan of warm water with half a cup of the vinegar. Rub down the
corns and calluses with a clean pumice stone.
Castor oil Touch the corn with a toothpick soaked
in castor oil.
Lemon Soak the feet in warm water for 15
minutes; apply a small piece of the inside of a lemon peel to the corn;
tape it and leave it on overnight. In three days the corn should lift
off.
• In addition to applying the lemon poultice mentioned above,
put 1-2 drops of the essential oil of lemon on the corn during
the day
by using a Q-Tip to apply the oil. Don't put the oil on the
surrounding
skin.
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