Corn On Feet: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention

Corns are thick, toughened layers of skin that develop as the skin tries to protect itself from pressure or friction. They usually begin on the fingers and hands or the toes and feet.

If you're in good health, you don't need to treat corn and calluses unless they are painful or you're not happy with how they look. Corns usually disappear when the pressure or friction source is removed.

Causes Of Corn 

Corns and calluses are the result of friction and pressure from repetitive actions. These are some of the sources of the pressure and friction:

• Wearing extremely Little Shoes and Socks: High heels and tight shoes can make certain parts of the feet feel restricted. If your shoes are loose, your foot could slip around and rub against them frequently. Furthermore, a shoe seam or interior stitch could snag your foot. Uncomfortable socks might also be a problem.
• Not wearing socks: Wearing shoes without socks and sandals might irritate your feet.
• Using hand tools or playing an instrument: Calluses on the hands can result from repetitive pressure from activities such as holding a pen, hand tools, or performing instruments.
• An inheritance to cultivate maize: It is possible to inherit keratosis punctata, a kind of corn that grows on non-weight-bearing regions like the palms and soles.

Symptoms Of Corn 

The following symptoms could be present with corns:

• A thickly patterned area of skin
• A rough, raised bump
• Sensitivity or pain beneath the skin
• Flaky, oily, or dry skin

Corns are smaller and deeper than calluses, with a hard center surrounded by inflamed skin. If you apply pressure, it could become painful. On the tips of the toes or the outside edge of the little toe, hard corns frequently form. Usually, soft corns develop in the space between the toes.

Calluses usually develop on pressure areas such as the knees, heels, soles of the feet, and palms; they are rarely painful. They can vary in size and structure and are often larger than maize.

Diagnosis Of Corn 

Your healthcare provider will most likely be able to identify calluses and corns just by looking at your feet. This examination helps rule out cysts and warts as other causes of thicker skin. To be certain of the diagnosis, your doctor might take a tiny sample of the hardened skin. If it bleeds or has black streaks (dried blood), it's not corn.

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Treatment Of Corn

Corns and calluses need the same attention. It means not participating in the repetitive actions that led to them. Shoes that fit properly and have protective padding can be beneficial.

If, despite your best attempts at self-care, a corn or callus doesn't go away or becomes uncomfortable, medical therapy can provide relief:

• Trimming removes excess skin: Your doctor may use a scalpel to trim away thicker skin or remove a large corn. This can be finished in the course of an office visit. If you do this yourself, you could become infected.
• A patch containing medication: Furthermore, a 40% salicylic acid patch (Clear Away, MediPlast, etc.) may be applied by your physician. Your healthcare provider will advise you on how often to replace your patches. Try thinning the thicker skin with an emery board, pumice stone, or nail file before applying a new patch. If you need to treat a larger area, use nonprescription salicylic acid in gel (Compound W, Keralyt) or liquid (Compound W, Duofilm) form.
• Shoe inserts: If you have an underlying foot issue, your doctor may prescribe orthotics, which are padded shoe inserts made specifically to avoid repeated corns or calluses.
• Surgery: Your doctor may recommend surgery to straighten a bone that is causing you discomfort. This type of procedure doesn't require an overnight stay in the hospital.

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Prevention Of Corn 

These techniques may help you prevent corn:

• Put on shoes that provide your toes enough space to move freely: If you can't even get your toes to move, your shoes are too tight. Go shoe shopping when your feet are at their swollenest, which is usually towards the end of the day. If you wear orthotics or insoles, be sure they are on when you get fitted for shoes at the store.
• Wear protective gear: Any areas that come into touch with your shoes should be covered with bandages, felt pads, or non-medicated corn pads. As an alternative, consider putting toe separators or lamb's wool in between each toe.
• Put on padded gloves when using hand tools: Think about padding the tool handles with cloth tape or wraps.

Complications Of Corn 

Complications from corns and calluses may arise if you have diabetes or another condition that reduces blood flow to your feet.

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