Corns and Calluses
Corns and Calluses Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Corns & Calluses?
Calluses and corns form on the skin as a result of repetitive pressure, rubbing, or irritation. Shoes that don’t fit correctly are the main culprit.
Calluses are hardened areas of skin that often form on pressure points like the heels, balls of the feet, palms, and knees and are seldom uncomfortable. They are often bigger than corns and may be different sizes, shapes, and colors.
In contrast to calluses, corns are smaller and deeper and feature a hard core surrounded by swollen skin. The tops of the toes or the outside edge of the tiny toe is where hard corns are commonly found; while between the toes is where soft corns often develop.
Pressing on calluses or corns, such as when you walk, might cause pain or discomfort for some patients.
What Causes Corns & Calluses?
Calluses and corns form on the skin as a result of repetitive pressure, rubbing, or irritation. The bony or prominent parts of the foot are where corns and calluses are often found.
Your body creates calluses and corns as a defense mechanism to shield the underlying skin from pressure and irritants, but patients are more prone to have corns or calluses if they already have medical issues that alter the usual alignment of your foot bones.
Common medical conditions that affect corns and calluses are foot arthritis, bunions, bone spurs, and hammertoes.
Furthermore, it’s believed that people who don’t wear socks, wear shoes that are too large, and smoke cigarettes are more likely to develop corns and calluses.
How Are Corns & Calluses Diagnosed?
The diagnosis of corns and calluses is simple, with no exams necessary. Usually, all that is required is a quick visual inspection of the affected skin and surrounding area.
Your doctor may inquire about your occupation, the amount of standing and walking you do, and the physical activities you engage in.
Your doctor may also ask you to walk if you have a corn or callus on your foot in order to assess your posture and walking style, inquire about your shoes, and ask about how you take care of your feet.
How Are Corns & Calluses Treated?
For most, the only therapy needed is to avoid friction.
Most of the time, switching to shoes with a better fit can help eliminate the issue if poorly-fitted shoes are the cause of the corn. Wearing thicker socks or more than one pair of socks may provide some relief when wearing poorly made shoes.
While the corn is recovering, it can be kept protected with a donut-shaped cushion bandage.
Calluses often develop as a result of excessive pressure being applied to the skin as a result of another issue, such as bunions or hammertoes, and calluses shouldn’t recur if the underlying conditions are properly treated.
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