Professional guidance should always be sought with regard to self-treatment of hard skin and corns – you are advised not to use pedicure blades, corn plasters and paints on these areas. The reason for not using these is that they can remove good skin and cause breaks in the skin which bacteria can then invade and cause a serious infection.
Corns are small conical shaped areas of hard skin which press on underlying nerve endings, often causing considerable pain. Corns usually occur on the toes or soles of the feet (plantar corns), almost always over a bony prominence, such as a joint. These may develop into areas of ulceration if not treated appropriately, and so it is advisable to request podiatry guidance if hard skin or corns are present on your feet.
A corn is simply an excess of skin cells in one spot due to pressure or friction on that part of the foot whereas a callous develops over a larger area of the foot. Traditionally poor footwear has been held responsible for causing corns but we now know it is not as simple as this. If the foot is unstable, excessive pressure will fall on the toes and soles of the feet and the skin thickens on these areas for protection.
Common places for corns and calluses to develop are
- The ball of the foot
- The outside aspect of your little toe
- The top of the joints in your toes
- In between the toes
- Around the heels
Corns and calluses are the body defense mechanism against areas of excessive friction or pressure. Areas of excess pressure and friction can occur due to abnormalities in the foot’s anatomy such as hammer toes and bunions
- Hard corns commonly occur on the top of the smaller toes or on the outer side of the little toe. These are the areas where poorly fitted shoes tend to rub most.
- Soft corns sometimes form in between the toes, most commonly between the fourth and fifth toes. These are softer because the sweat between the toes keeps them moist. Soft corns can sometimes become infected.
Treatments Include
At The Hub we will either remove (enucleate) the corn with a scalpel or we may drill it out (this will not be painful as the corn is dead skin). We will remove all build up of hard skin around the corn site.
- Painless removal corns and callus
- Orthotic therapy to prevent corns and callus
- Padding and strapping to reduce biomechanical pressure on the foot
Please do not be embarrassed about your feet. I love my job and get great satisfaction with the results I deliver. Please contact us for a free consultation.
Home visits available for the elderly and disabled.
