How to Remove a Corn

Corns are mainly found on the top of toe-joints or on the side of feet and are raised, shiny domes of hard thickened skin with a hard nucleus or centre. Corns are similar to calluses and are caused by friction on the skin. Corns can cause pain and get inflamed when they press on a nerve in the foot or against a hard shoe, so it is important for your foot health and comfort to figure out how to remove a corn as soon as it appears.

Corns can usually be avoided by wearing shoes that fit properly, are neither too loose or too tight, are not pointed and do not rub and cause friction. A useful tip when buying shoes is to consider trying on a pair at the end of the day when your feet could be warm and slightly swollen after being stood on all day. It is also good to remember to wear socks that are the right size and not too small or too large which will also cause the toes to bunch up and rub against the shoe.

It is important to keep your toenails trimmed. Toenails that are too long can push the toes up against the hard surface of the shoe and create friction and pressure which will gradually cause a corn to form. It is also important to keep feet clean and if they are very dry to moisturise them to reduce friction.

To ease the pain of a corn, you can use a corn pad to remove the excess pressure. Corn pads are donut shaped cushioned plasters with a hole in the center for the corn sit in and to protect it from chaffing.

Corns are easily removed using an ointment like Kroko Corn and Callus remover which has been a tried and trusted remedy since the 1930s.

To remove a corn:

1. Soften the corn by bathing in hot water.
2. Dry thoroughly.
3. Please note: It is important to mask the area surrounding the corn to protect the healthy skin, either by covering the area with a piece of adhesive plaster in which a hole the size of the corn has been cut or use a suitably sized adhesive corn ring. Alternately protect the healthy skin around the corn with a layer of Vaseline. The corn will then be exposed in the open hole in the centre of the plaster or Vaseline.
4. Apply the ointment so that it covers the exposed corn.
5. Cover the corn with a second piece of plaster.
6. Change the dressing every second day until the corn peels off in layers. It usually takes about 8 days for the corn to be removed but resistant cases may take longer. Do not administer the ointment for longer than 14 days.

***WARNING: Do not apply to healthy skin or near the face and eyes.

Kroko corn and callus remover, CornFix, Corn Plasters and Corn Protectors are available at all good pharmacies and selected Clicks, Dischem and Pnp Hyper stores in South Africa. Kroko is also available in Namibia, Botswana and Zambia – please ask your pharmacist to order in if you can’t find it.