Herbal Cures: Corns & Calluses

Calluses are thickened areas of skin on the hands and bottom of the feet caused by friction. Corns are calluses on the toes (people with high foot arches are susceptible to corns because the arch increases pressure on the tips of toes when walking). More painful is a bunion, a firm, fluid-filled pad, or bursa, on the inside of the joint at the base of the big toe. It is caused by a shoe's rubbing against an abnormal outward projection of this joint; this abnormality may also be inherited.

Most foot calluses and corns can be prevented by wearing shoes that fit comfortably. If your toes rub against each other, put foam toe separators between them to prevent corns from forming. If you see a corn developing, massage it with a lotion that contains lanolin or urea to soften it. Putting a horseshoeshaped pad or ring, available at drugstores, around the corn will ease pressure.

Soaking your feet will temporarily relieve pain. To treat calluses-- not corns--soak your feet in warm water with Epsom salt for about 10 minutes, then use a pumice stone or callus file to rub the top layers off the callus. Do not use abrasives on hard corns--they will only make the area more painful. People who have diabetes or poor circulation are advised to consult a doctor instead of treating corns or calluses themselves

Herbal Remedy

White willow bark Put 1 or 2 teaspoons chopped or powdered bark into cold water, bring to a boil, and steep for 5 minutes before straining. Add to warm water as a foot soak. Use only if you are not aspirin-sensitive.