Corns

What are Corns?

A corn is a circular area of thickened skin developed because of continuous friction or pressure. They usually develop on the soles of feet or on the top or sides of toes and appear as yellowish dead tissue surrounding an area of tenderness. Pain and discomfort may be present with walking, which can become more painful without treatment.

What Causes Corns?

Ill-fitting shoes are the main reason for corns. Tight shoes apply pressure on the foot, while loose shoes cause your feet to rub against it. High heeled or pointed toed shoes can squeeze and localize pressure on one part of the foot. Corns can develop over bone deformities such as hammer toe and claw toe, where the joints are abnormally bent.

What are the Treatment Options for Corns?

Your doctor will help identify the cause of your corns and suggest an appropriate treatment. Eliminating the cause is necessary to prevent corns from recurring. Treatment for underlying bone deformities may be suggested. Certain soaks and pads may be used to soften corns and relieve pressure. Your doctor may trim the corn with a scalpel, removing the thickened dead tissue. You will be advised to wear appropriate footwear to reduce pressure on your feet.

What are Calluses?

Calluses are thick, hardened layers of skin which develop as a protective response against repeated rubbing or pressure on the skin. Calluses are seen mostly on the bottom of your feet on the bony areas that carry your weight, your heels, big toes, the balls of your feet, and along the sides of your feet. They may also develop on the tips of fingers of guitar players or the hands of gymnasts, weightlifters, or craftsmen.

Causes of Calluses

Some of the causative factors for calluses include:

• Shoes that are too tight or have areas that rub against your skin causing shearing, friction and pressure
• High-heeled sandals and shoes that can damage the skin on the balls of the feet due to the downward pressure on this area while walking
• Standing, walking or running for long periods of time
• Certain sports activities
• Occupations that cause repeated rubbing of some areas of the skin like carpenters or manual labours
• Walking or running barefoot
• Walking or running with improper technique
• Structural foot deformities or changes to the shape of your foot (hammertoes, tailor’s bunions, bunions or deformities from birth)

Symptoms of Calluses

Some of the common symptoms of calluses include:

• Thick, large, flattened patches of skin
• Numbness or reduced sensitivity to touch
• Hardened areas of skin
• Pain
• Redness
• Cracks and inflammation
• Discomfort while using the limb for regular activities

Diagnosis of Calluses

A visual exam of your skin by your doctor is usually enough to diagnose calluses. Your provider may ask about your medical history and your job or activity to establish the diagnosis.

Treatment of Calluses

Calluses may be treated with home care methods such as:

• Soak the area affected with the callus in warm water for at least five to 10 minutes every day until the skin softens.
• Wet a pumice stone or emery board and gently move across callus to remove dead tissue carefully.
• Apply a suitable moisturizing cream or lotion to the callus and surrounding dead skin every day which will soften the skin over time.
• Use adhesive padding that helps to protect the callus from irritation and relieves pain and pressure.
• Apply ice pack to reduce swelling and pain.

Other treatments that may be recommended include:

• Trimming excess skin with a scalpel by a healthcare provider
• Application of medicated patches
• Use of shoe inserts to prevent friction to certain areas
• Surgery to correct bony malalignment that might be causing the calluses

Prevention of calluses

Self-care tips and preventive measures to avoid forming a callus include:

• Wear proper fitting shoes and footwear.
• Trim your nails regularly.
• Take sufficient breaks in between repetitive activity or modify activity that causes the callus.
• Wear gloves or appropriate gear while doing manual work with heavy or rough materials that can damage the skin on your hands or fingers.