Corns and Calluses
Corns and Calluses
When a person experiences consistent pressure or friction on their skin, the skin may thicken and become hard in order to protect itself. This can lead to the development of corns or calluses. Although people often use these terms interchangeably in daily conversation, they are actually two distinct conditions.
What are Calluses?
Calluses are areas of thick, dead skin that build up and are usually not painful. They are typically found on the soles of the feet, particularly on bony areas that bear a significant amount of weight, such as the balls and heels of the feet. Calluses are often larger and have an irregular shape that spreads out.
What are Corns?
Corns, on the other hand, are small, round, and typically have a hard centre surrounded by inflamed skin. They tend to develop on parts of the foot that do not bear weight, such as the sides and tops of toes. Corns are often the result of repeated friction or rubbing, often caused by poorly fitting footwear.
What is the difference between Corns, Calluses and Warts?
People often confuse corns, calluses, and warts, but there are some key differences between them. Here are the main distinctions:
Corns/Calluses:
- Do not have black dots indicating a blood supply
- Can be painful when directly pressed
- Skin lines continue even though the skin is dead, raised, or hard
Warts:
- Have small black dots indicating a blood supply
- Are painful when squeezed from side to side
- Interrupt the skin lines
Additionally, plantar warts (those found on the sole of the foot) often bleed, whereas corns and calluses generally do not. It is important to note that mosaic warts (clusters of warts together) may have thicker skin on top, which can be mistaken for a callus. Therefore, it is recommended to consult a trusted podiatrist for a proper diagnosis.
What causes Corns and Calluses?
Corns and calluses develop when the skin on a person's hands or feet thickens and hardens in an attempt to protect itself from consistent pressure, rubbing, irritation, or friction. This often occurs in people who work with their hands, such as musicians, tradesmen, writers, and artists.
On the feet, corns and calluses can develop due to several factors, including:
Poorly Fitted Shoes
That compress certain areas of the foot or have protruding seams or stitches.
Poorly Fitted or Loose Socks
Which increase friction on the feet.
Foot Conditions
Such as bunions, hammertoes, bone spurs, and other deformities, which can change the natural shape of the foot and lead to rubbing against everyday footwear.
How can I prevent corns and calluses forming?
There are several ways to maintain good foot hygiene and prevent the formation of corns and calluses:
- Keeping your feet clean and moisturized
- Soaking your feet and using a pumice stone on areas that are prone to hardening (unless you have diabetes)
- Wearing shoes that provide enough space for your toes, proper cushioning, good ankle support, and the correct width
- Using toe separators or lamb's wool between toes if you have toe deformities
- Sourcing specialized footwear for bunions or bone spurs that do not apply pressure or friction to the affected area
- Avoiding walking barefoot
- Using specialized footwear for physical activities and sports
- Maintaining proper posture to avoid walking heavily on the inner or outer edge of the heel
- Avoiding standing, walking, and running for extended periods if possible
- Keeping your toenails trimmed
- Applying foot powder to absorb moisture and keep your feet dry if you have sweaty feet
- Avoiding pointed, narrow shoes, especially high heels.
When should I see a podiatrist for corns or calluses?
If you have a corn or callus that is causing you pain, inflammation, infection, swelling, or is oozing pus, it is advisable to see a podiatrist as soon as possible. This is especially important if you have diabetes, as even minor foot injuries can lead to infected open sores. Additionally, if you have any underlying diseases or conditions that make your skin frail or delicate, it is recommended to schedule an appointment with a podiatrist immediately.
Do Corns or Calluses pose a concern?
If a person is healthy, corns and calluses do not pose a major concern unless they are causing discomfort or pain. While the hardened skin can be unattractive, some people choose to have them removed to improve their barefoot appearance.
However, individuals with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing complications from corns and calluses due to poor blood flow and reduced foot sensitivity. Therefore, it is essential for those with diabetes to seek medical attention if they have corns or calluses.
Specialised Corn and Callus Treatment from Your Local Peakfeet Podiatrist
At Peakfeet Podiatry, we provide specialised treatment for corns and calluses. Our process involves a medical diagnosis to determine if the area is a corn, callus, wart, or cyst. Our experienced podiatrist can usually diagnose the issue with a visual exam of the skin, although further testing or x-rays may be necessary in some cases.
After diagnosis, we assess the underlying cause of the corn or callus through a series of questions. It is crucial to identify whether the hardened skin is due to poorly fitted footwear, an underlying foot condition, poorly cared for skin, or a combination of factors.
Our approach is a multi-pronged one that deals with the root cause of the condition before removing the hardened skin. This helps prevent the corn or callus from returning. We offer a range of treatments at our Peakfeet Podiatry clinic, including trimming away excess skin using special equipment, providing advice on appropriate moisturisers and skin protection creams, providing shoe orthotics if an underlying foot deformity is the cause, and offering professional recommendations on surgery to correct any severe bone deformities.
It is important to note that attempting to remove excess skin at home can lead to infection if done incorrectly. Our podiatrist is expert in removing thickened skin safely and effectively.
By addressing the root cause of the corn or callus, we can help you say goodbye to them for good. Contact our clinic to schedule an initial assessment appointment and take your foot-care to the next level.