My grandchild returned from school the other day with a distinct limp due to a painful underfoot corn near his big toe. Here is some home advice on dealing with such exigencies, says ROSHANI DEVI
The toe corns have meddled with our comfort levels for ages. Bad shoes, bad gait, bad walking postures and foot hygiene add up to form these dead but painful blisters on your feet. But there are some awesome and quick relief measures you can take at home to get rid of the problem. Corn caps can be bought off the counter but diabetics beware! No corn caps for you. Here’s what you can do instead: Castor Oil and Apple Cider Vinegar are magic for treating corns. Just fill a basin with warm soap water and add a cup of apple cider vinegar in it. Soak your feet in this solution for 20 minutes. The corn will definitely soften for you to gently file it away with your good old pumice stone. For stiffer corns, dab some castor oil on them and seal them overnight. Remove the bandage in the morning and apply castor oil on the corn through the day. It will take some days for the corn to fall off.
Garlic is another wonder remedy for corns. Cut two to three garlic cloves into small pieces, add a pinch of salt and then make a paste out of it. Apply the paste on your corn, secure it with an adhesive bandage and leave it on for three days. On the third day when you remove the bandage, the corn will also come off. If needed, repeat the process.
White vinegar is another tried and tested remedy Mix one part white vinegar with three parts water. Dab this onto the corn.
Tape the area and leave it on overnight. Exfoliate the thickened skin with a pumice stone. Apply olive or coconut oil to keep the area moisturized. Once daily, and the corn will be off in a couple of days.