How can corns and calluses be treated?
Corns and calluses can be treated with many types of medicated products to chemically pare down the thickened, dead skin. These products are share the same active ingredient — salicylic acid, the ingredient used in over-the-counter wart-removal products. Salicylic acid is a keratolytic, which means it dissolves the protein (keratin) that makes up most of both your corn and the thick layer of dead skin which often tops it. Used as indicated on the package directions, these products are gentle and safe for most people. Salicylic-acid treatments are available in different forms including • applicators, • drops, • pads, and • plasters. All of these treatments will turn the top of the skin white and allow you to trim or peel away dead tissue, making the corn protrude and hurt less. It generally is recommended that salicylic acid not be used by people with diabetes or when there is frail skin or poor circulation (because of concern about how normally the skin can heal). In these situations,
