What are corns and calluses?

Corns

 

Corns develop on your feet in response to sustained pressure, usually from shoes that don't fit. Unlike calluses, corns are clearly separate from the surrounding area of skin. In the middle of them is a see-through plug of keratin which is surrounded by a clear whitish margin of tough skin. The main symptom of a corn is pain when you walk. This pain may stop you from doing some activities. You will see a lump of hard skin over a bony area. Corns can be confused with verruccae. To distinguish between them, your foot health professional may use a scalpel to slice off the top layer of hardened skin (this isn't painful) to look for blood vessels that would be present in a verruca, but not in a corn.

 

Corns are more common in women due to tight or ill-fitting fashion shoes.  There are two main types of corns:

 

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. They can also occur on the sole of the foot.

 

Soft corns are extremely painful and 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 sometimes become infected.

 

Calluses

A callus is larger, broader and has a less well defined edge than a corn. These tend to form on the underside of the foot (the sole). Commonly they form over the bony area just underneath the toes. This area takes much weight when walking. They may be painless but can become painful.

 

What causes corns and calluses?

The common causes of corns and calluses are rubbing and pressure from tight or poorly fitting shoes (which tend to cause corns on the top of the toes and side of the little toe) and too much walking or running (which tends to cause callus on the sole of the feet.) Corns and calluses are more likely to develop in people who have very prominent bony toes, thin skin, or deformities of the toes or feet which cause the skin to rub more easily inside shoes. Because corns are a sign of pressure on your feet, the underlying cause needs to be addressed in order to stop them coming back

What are the treatments for corns and calluses?

 

If you develop a painful corn or callus it is best to get expert advice from a foot health professional. The kind of advice and treatments usually considered include the following:

 

Paring and trimming

 

The thickened skin of a corn or callus can be pared down (trimmed) using a scalpel blade. The pain is usually much reduced as the corn or callus is pared down and the pressure on the underlying tissues eased. Often repeated or regular trimming sessions are needed unless problems associated with footwear are addressed. Once a corn or callus is trimmed down, it may not return if you use good footwear.

 

If the skin seems to be thickening up again, a recurrence may be prevented by rubbing down the thickening skin with a pumice stone or foot file once a week. Some people can do this themselves. A moisturizer cream used regularly on a trimmed corn or callus will keep the skin softened and easier to rub down. Ask your foot health professional for their recommendations.

Note: Don't try and cut out a corn by yourself, especially if you are elderly or diabetic.  Do not use a chemical (sometimes included in 'Corn plasters') to 'burn' the thickened skin. Chemicals can harm the nearby skin and may cause a skin ulcer. In particular, chemicals should not be used if you have diabetes or poor circulation.

 

Shoes and footwear

Tight or poor fitting shoes are thought to be the main cause of most corns and calluses. Sometimes a rough seam or stitching in a shoe may rub enough to cause a corn. The aim is to wear shoes that reduce pressure and rubbing on the toes and forefeet. Shoes should have plenty of room for the toes, have soft uppers and low heels. In addition, extra width is needed if corns develop on the outer side of the little toe. Extra height is needed if corns develop on the top of abnormal toes such as 'hammer' or 'claw' toes.  Some people with abnormalities of their feet or toes will need specialist shoes to prevent rubbing. A foot health professional can advise about this.

 

Footpads and toe protection

Depending on the site of a corn or callus, a cushioning pad or shoe insole may be of benefit. For example, for a callus under the foot, a soft shoe inlay may cushion the skin and help the callus to heal. If there is a corn between the toes, a special sleeve worn around the toe may ease the pressure. Silicone pads, which release a special moisturing oil can be particularly useful.  Ask your foot health professional for recommendations.

 

 

If you would like to know more please contact us here at the Earlsdon Practice by completing the form on our contact page.