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Corns

What Are Corns?

Corns are thickening of skin that present in a plug like form over bony prominences, where there is local irritation and pressure to the skin. This may form on bony prominences such as  hammer toes,  or bony deformities due to arthritic changes.

This irritation over a specific area leads to increased build-up of tissue resulting to this, similarly to calluses.

If this is not treated it may result in wounds and ulcers forming underneath. This is very dangerous for patients with diabetes, as the risk of infection is high.

Corns Snapshot

  • Commonly occurring
  • Can cause you to limp, leading to knee or hip pain
  • Easily treatable and painless to remove

Causes

Causes of Corns

  • Inappropriate footwear.

  • Abnormalities in foot structure and toe deformity.

  • Abnormalities in walking patterns or movement that result in increased pressure to specific areas.

Symptoms

Corns Symptoms

  • A hard yellow plug will be visible over a bony prominence (eg. outside of little toe, ball of the foot, on top or tip of clawed toes).

  • Soft corns can form in between toes and appear white and soggy.

  • Pain on direct palpations, as the hard plug, pushes on your free nerve endings.

  • Red dots, as the pressure has resulted in the blood capillaries under the skin bursting.

  • Underlying wounds or tissue breakdown may be evident if not treated in a timely manner.

Treatment

Treatment for Corns

  • Removal of the corn by a podiatrist.

  • Pumice stone, foot file.

  • Moisturising cream.

  • Correct footwear.

  • Corn offloading insoles can be custom-made to take pressure off the affected area and prevent re-occurrence.

  • Foot Orthoses to redistribute load and pressure to the feet and assist with optimum foot function

Well Heeled Podiatry can remove your corn for immediate pain relief and further discuss your treatment options available.

Take extreme caution using corn pads from the chemist as some of these pads will contain salicylic acid, to soften it. Prolong use, or use between the toes can cause burns to the surrounding healthy tissue which may result in a wound, infection, or ulcer.

Corn pads that contain salicylic acid are NOT recommended for people with diabetes, poor blood supply, or loss of feeling in the feet. For professional, safe and effective removal, it is best to see a podiatrist.

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