What Are Corns?
For anyone who has a pair of shoes that are too tight, there’s a good chance you have corns on your feet. After continued pressure is put on your feet or toes, a corn can develop, which is a small part of the skin that has become thick and tough. Typically, corns develop between your toes, on the sides or bottom of your feet, or below the toenail. Sometimes, they can press deep into the layers of skin and can be painful. There are two types of corns:
The Difference in a Corn vs. a Callus
Corns and calluses are both accumulations of dead skin, usually due to excess pressure. The human body recognizes this extra pressure and forms layers of protective skin cells to pad these areas. This excess skin, usually found over bony pressure areas, does not cause pain. However, if the buildup becomes great enough, and the area has too much dead skin protection, it can result in pain, blistering, ulceration, and infection.
A corn, by definition, is a small, circular, hard particle or seed. In the foot, this is usually present on the tops of the toes or over another bony area such as a bunion. A callus is a thickened area of skin that forms as the result of friction. It is flatter and more spread out, and usually occurs on the bottom of the foot, most commonly on the balls of the feet, sides of the feet, and heels.
How Are They Treated?
Possibly most important is knowing how corns and calluses are treated. While there are some home treatments available, if your corn or callus is painful, it’s best to meet with a podiatrist for professional treatment. Professional treatments generally include:
- Hard Corns: These are generally formed due to pressure from shoes when they don’t fit properly. They tend to form at the top of smaller toes or on the outside of the little toe.
- Soft Corns: This type of corn is softer because the sweat on your feet keeps them moist. These typically form between the big and the fourth toe. When left untreated, soft corns can become infected.
The Difference in a Corn vs. a Callus
Corns and calluses are both accumulations of dead skin, usually due to excess pressure. The human body recognizes this extra pressure and forms layers of protective skin cells to pad these areas. This excess skin, usually found over bony pressure areas, does not cause pain. However, if the buildup becomes great enough, and the area has too much dead skin protection, it can result in pain, blistering, ulceration, and infection.
A corn, by definition, is a small, circular, hard particle or seed. In the foot, this is usually present on the tops of the toes or over another bony area such as a bunion. A callus is a thickened area of skin that forms as the result of friction. It is flatter and more spread out, and usually occurs on the bottom of the foot, most commonly on the balls of the feet, sides of the feet, and heels.
How Are They Treated?
Possibly most important is knowing how corns and calluses are treated. While there are some home treatments available, if your corn or callus is painful, it’s best to meet with a podiatrist for professional treatment. Professional treatments generally include:
- Trimming: To do this at home, soak your feet for around 20 minutes to soften the skin and use a pumice stone to gently scrape away the tough layers of skin. A podiatrist can use a tool to more effectively remove the skin. This will reduce the amount of pressure being put on your foot.
- Chemical: This treatment method is similar to trimming, except that it uses chemical products that will dissolve the skin. One of the more common products is salicylic acid, which dissolves keratin, or what the dead skin is made of.
- Footpads and Toe Protection: While not a form of treatment, a foot pad inside the shoe can ease some of the discomfort. A toe splint is another option to keep your toes from rubbing against each other.
Warning: People with diabetes or circulatory problems...
Never use a sharp object such as a razor blade or scissors on your corns or calluses, especially if you have diabetes or circulatory problems. You may be inclined to reduce them mildly with a blunt instrument such as a callus scraper or fine sandpaper, but if you should be too aggressive, you are putting yourself at risk for dangerous lacerations. In addition, you should STAY AWAY FROM CORN REMOVER TYPE PRODUCTS! These products contain acid which will burn not only the dead skin on the surface of the corn or callus, but penetrate deeper as well as into the surrounding areas of skin. A chemical burn will ensue which can lead to ulcers and infections. Again, those with diabetes and circulation compromised patients are at an even greater risk if they use these products.
How to Prevent Corns
Wearing the right shoe with the right fit is the best way to prevent corns from developing. Before you purchase a pair of shoes, make sure you adequately walk around in them to ensure that there is a snug fit, but not too tight.
Speaking of the right shoe, limit your time spent in high heels as much as possible, or wear the lowest heel possible. Wearing high heels is a major cause of corns for women because the toes are pushed together.
If you do find a shoe that fits correctly, another line of defense is wearing the right type of sock. If you find that you are developing corns consistently, find a brand of socks that offers more padding.
Wearing the right shoe with the right fit is the best way to prevent corns from developing. Before you purchase a pair of shoes, make sure you adequately walk around in them to ensure that there is a snug fit, but not too tight.
Speaking of the right shoe, limit your time spent in high heels as much as possible, or wear the lowest heel possible. Wearing high heels is a major cause of corns for women because the toes are pushed together.
If you do find a shoe that fits correctly, another line of defense is wearing the right type of sock. If you find that you are developing corns consistently, find a brand of socks that offers more padding.