The two types of corns are:

 Hard Corns or Haeloma Durums: These are the most common types of corns and
develop basically due to ill-fitting shoes. In most of the people the toe curls
downward and does not lie straight or flat. If such curled toes are fitted in the shoes
with tight toe boxes then it results in the formation of hard corns. Actually such toes
remain inside the shoes and press on the inner side of the shoe, usually at the joints of
the toe. Moreover the tip of the curled toe also puts pressure on the sole of the shoe.
As the result formation of hard corns takes place to protect the underlying tissues. The
main cause for the formation of hard corns is the excessive pressure which thickens
the skin at the point of contact.
 Soft Corns or Heloma Molles:These are basically formed in between the fourth and
the fifth toe, in case when the bones of the toe or phalanges are too wide. Usually, the
shape of the phalanges is of hour-glass and the ends are slightly wider than the
middle. The formation of soft corns takes place when the ends of the toe bones are
also too wide and create friction in between the toes. The use of tight-fitting shoes is
responsible to increase this problem. But the people with normal feet can also develop
soft corns. Usually women wearing high-heel sandals or shoes with narrow elongated
toe boxes suffer from toe boxes. Such shoes shift the weight of the body in the front
part of the shoes thus reducing the enough space for the toes.

Signs and Symptoms for corn on foot:

You have a corn or callus if you notice:

 A thick, rough area of skin

 A hardened,raised bump
 Tenderness or pain under your skin
 Flaxy,dry or waxy skin.

Difference between corns and callus.

Corns are smaller than calluses and have a hard center surrounded by inflamed skin. They
develop on parts of body that do not carry any weight, such as tops and sides of your toes. If
corns are pushed then they can cause pain or suffer from a dull ache. Calluses usually
develop on the soles of the feet, especially under the heels or balls, on the palms, or the
knees. They are rarely painful and vary in size and shape. They can be more than an inch in
diameter, making them larger than corns.

Causes of Corns and Calluses

 Ill-fitting shoes: When shoes are too tight, then your feet get compressed causing
discomfort and corns and calluses develop. If the shoes are too loose, then the feet rub
against the shoe. The foot may rub against a poorly placed seam or stitch inside the
shoe.
 Skipping socks- Wearing shoes or sandals without socks can be a problem. Socks
should fit properly.
 Using hand tools- The use of tools with your hands can also cause calluses on them.

Risk Factors that increase the incidence of calluses and corns on foot:
  Bunions or hammertoe- A bunion is an abnormal, bony bump that forms on the joint
at the base of the big toe. A hammertoe is a toe deformity in which your toe becomes
curled up like a claw. These conditions can cause rubbing of the feet in the shoes.
 Lack of protection for hands- Using hand tools without gloves can cause friction in
the hands leading to corns and calluses.
 Foot Deformities- A pre-existing foot deformity, such as bone spur, may cause
problems to your feet.

Treatment of Calluses and Foot Corns:

Severe or persistent corns need to be treated, although they rarely require surgery. Persons
suffering from diabetes, or artherosclerosis should not treat a corn on their own, as it can
increase the risk of infection. There are acid preparations to reduce corns and calluses. A
commonly used preparation is a mixture of salicylic acid,lactic acids and collodion (Duofilm,
Salactic Film and Viranol). Over the counter acids are weaker than the ones prescribed.

Acids should not be used by diabetic patients and are not advisable for individuals with
impaired sensation or for the elderly with thin skin. Medicated pads are also available.
Comfortable shoes should be worn.

Protect your feet from corns and calluses; but if you do suffer then take the necessary
precautions to avoid any discomfort. One need not worry about them, if they are not painful.

Natural Remedies for Corn Removal:

Some of the natural remedies for removing corns are:

 Soak your feet in a solution of warm water having Borax, Bran and Iodine mixed in it.
Soak your feet in this solution for 15-20 minutes daily and then rub off your skin with
the help of a towel. As Borax is an acid so it will help in exfoliating the dead skin
cells and iodine helps in preventing the reaction.
 Cocoa butter can be used which helps in moistening the corn and makes the removal
of the corn easier with the help of a pumice stone. Moreover the use of cocoa butter
prevents the skin from dehydrating and getting damaged from sun.

Prevention of Foot corn:

Some of the preventive measures for the formation of foot corns include:

 Avoid the activities which cause friction while you are wearing shoes of tight fitting.
 Make sure that you wear shoes which fit in properly and are appropriate for your feet.
 Check the soles and heels of your shoes, they must be even as uneven soles and heels
are an indication of ill-fitting and need replacement.
 Ensure that the stockings and socks you wear do not cramp your toes. Wearing of the
gloves, knee pads and other protective things should be worn to avoid corn formation.
 Make sure that you measure your feet before purchasing the shoes this will help you
in getting the best fit for your toes. Also ensure that you do the purchasing of the
shoes late in the afternoon when the feet are a bit swelled. This will help you in
getting the best fit for your shoes.
Bread and Vinegar folk remedy can be used to remove stubborn corns. Crumb bread into a
teaspoon of vinegar. Let stand 30 minutes to make a paste, then apply on the corn before
retiring at night. Repeat each night until the soreness has gone and the corn can be lifted out.

To treat corns and calluses, soften the thickened skin by adding 2 tablespoons of Dr.
Bronner's liquid soap (available in health food stores) or a mild dish soap to 1/2 gallon of
warm water. Soak your feet in this mixture for 15 minutes. Afterwards, dry your feet with a
soft towel and rub a couple of drops of vitamin E oil into the affected area. Then, using a
pumice stone or a special callus file, gently file down the top layer of the corn or callus.
Clean the area with mild soap and water, using a gauze pad or cotton ball. Do this twice a
day. Wear clean white cotton socks after treatment.

Apply a non medicated corn pad (a small round or oval-shaped foam pad with a hole in the
center) around a corn to help relieve the pressure. Stretch the pad so that it clears the corn by
at least 1/8 inch on all sides. Then apply vitamin E oil to the corn, cover with a gauze square,
and wrap the toe with adhesive tape. Alternate between using vitamin E oil and tea tree oil.

For corns between the toes, dab on vitamin E oil and place a clean piece of cotton or cotton
ball over it. Make sure to use 100% cotton, not synthetic cosmetic puffs. Put on clean white
cotton socks and leave them on overnight after treatment. Vitamin E oil mixed with a crushed
garlic clove is good for softening corns or calluses.

Bathe your feet daily in a half-and-half mixture of vinegar and water. Dry them thoroughly
and apply pure, unprocessed oil, such as olive oil, to the infected area. Or soak your feet in a
solution of 2 teaspoons of salt in a pint of warm water for 10 minutes. Repeat this treatment
daily until the condition clears up.

To ease pain and itching, use cold compresses. Soak a white cotton cloth in Burow's solution
(available in drugstores) dissolved in 1 pint of cold water. Apply compresses several times a
day for 15-20 minutes at a time.

Take care to protect your feet from direct contact with floors in communal areas such as
locker rooms. Wear shoes or slippers in such places. Do not share towels, shoes, socks, or
anything else that comes into contact with the feet.

To soften corns and calluses, and relieve pain soak the feet in comfortably hot water. Dry
thoroughly, then rub with fresh lemon juice, or soak the feet in hot water in which oatmeal
has been boiled, or, to a basin of hot water add as much salt as will dissolve. Soak the feet in
this solution, then in plain hot water.

Secure a slice of raw garlic to the corn each night.

To soften and eventually loosen a corn, place the pulp side of a small piece of lemon over the
corn each night and bandage to keep in place or, thrust the toe into a lemon and tie in place
overnight.

To remove a corn, place 2 tablespoons of dry mustard in a basin, stir in enough hot water to
cover the corn. Soak the foot, then rub the corn. If not loose enough to be lifted out, applying
vinegar may speed the procedure.
To remove stubborn corns in 3 weeks, tape a piece of raw onion over it each night.

Good Luck and let me know how it works out for you.