Foot Calluses and Corns
What are Calluses and Corns?
Calluses and corns are thickened layers of skin that form as a protective mechanism from friction and pressure. Your body recognizes increased frequent use of the skin from your day-to-day activities and naturally thickens up to protect the skin from tearing.
You are more likely to develop Calluses and Corns on your feet if you:
- Do physical activity or your occupation involves standing and walking around for long hours
- Like to walk around barefoot
- Are not used to wearing socks with your shoes
- Have underlying biomechanical alterations or poor foot posture that increases load on specific areas of your foot
- Have structural abnormalities (e.g hammer toes) that predispose certain areas to high pressure
- Use tight and ill-fitting footwear
What will I experience?
Although often lumped together in conversation, calluses and corns are not the same:
- Calluses are usually larger and more spread out than corns. They generally do not cause a huge degree of discomfort, and are usually found in areas of the foot on bony areas that carry your weight.
- Corns tend to be small and round in nature. They can often have a white-colored hard or soft core composed of dead skin. These can occur both on weight-bearing areas and non-weight bearing areas of the foot. Corns are usually painful and tender when they are pressed.
How can we help you?
Podiatrists are trained specifically to perform debridement of Calluses and Corns. If your calluses and corns cause you pain and discomfort, it is recommended to make a trip to visit your podiatrist for appropriate and safe treatment as soon as possible.
Do not attempt to self-treat with scissors or a blade as this can result in serious injury to your foot. Our Podiatrist ensures your safety by performing treatment in a safe and sterile manner.
Our Podiatrist can also assess the reasons behind the development of these Calluses and Corns, and provide you with treatment options to effectively offload these affected areas, and also advice on self-management of these conditions.
FAQ
Can I cut my own Calluses and Corns?
Will my Calluses and Corns grow back?
Calluses and Corns are your body’s way of protecting the skin from increased or excessive pressure and friction. As long as these factors exist, they will continue to return.
Fortunately, most Calluses and Corns can be managed effectively. Our Podiatrist will be able to determine if you may have underlying foot conditions that may predispose you to development of Calluses and Corns, as well as provide you with various treatment options to address them effectively.
Should I try over the counter medications or corn plasters to treat my Calluses and Corns?
Topical solutions and plasters to treat Calluses and Corns oftentimes contain ingredients to dissolve the skin, such as acids. If you do not apply these accurately, you may end up causing more irritation and damage to healthy tissues surrounding the Calluses and Corns.
It cannot be emphasised enough, that individuals with Diabetes are HIGHLY DISCOURAGED from self-treating Calluses and Corns. This is because Diabetes can delay healing, increasing the chance of further complications from minor injuries.
When should someone with Calluses and Corns see a Podiatrist?
Do not hesitate to contact us and make an appointment to the Podiatrist if:
- Your Calluses and Corns are painful and causing you to have discomfort when you walk
- Your Calluses and Corns repeatedly come back and you suspect a biomechanical issue with your feet
- Home remedies do not effectively get rid of your Calluses and Corns
- You have underlying medical conditions that increase risk of infection
- You are, or know someone, who is Diabetic and has thick calluses. People with Diabetes may have a reduced sensation in their feet, resulting in difficulty sensing pain. Healing may also be impaired. Calluses and Corns in these individuals can be problematic, lead to wounds, or even infection.