| Corns & Calluses |
General Information |
Skin responds to friction and pressure by thickening. This is helpful
until the skin becomes so thick it actually hurts. Skin that thickens
without a core is called callus. They usually form under the foot.
Corns are thick spots of skin with a deep, central core. They usually
form on the toes. |
When a corn develops on the sole of the foot, they are often associated
with metatarsalgia, a general term for pain of the bones found in
the sole, or ball, of the foot (associated with the metatarsal joints).
Metatarsalgia can be caused by poor footware, disease, and repeated
stress. The main symptom is pain in the foot when standing. |
Causes of Corns? |
• Tight shoes
• High-heeled
and/or pointed shoes
• Abnormal mechanics or movement
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Causes of Metatarsalgia? |
In addition to poor shoes, metatarsalgia can be caused by:
• High-arched foot or pes cavus
• Arthritis
• Deformed or crooked toes
• Trauma, as in a car
accident or sporting accident
• Repeated stress, as in
frequent walking on cement floors or repeated walking on a sloping
surface
In cases of metatarsalgia, the corns can be exacerbated by wearing
poor shoes even if the corns are not directly caused by them. |
Symptoms of Corns and Calluses? |
Symptoms include an obvious hard growth on the skin of the foot that
causes pain when pressure is applied to it, as well as swelling, redness,
and discomfort, especially when wearing tight-fitting shoes. Corns
will often have a uniform, waxy appearance. They are more common in
women than men. |
Treatment |
A physician will first determine the cause of the corn, which must
be treated along with the corn, itself. Beware: home remedies may
not work and are potentially dangerous. See a physician. Treatment
may include:
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• Avoiding shoes that are too tight
or too loose
• Wearing shoes with an extra-large toe box
• Use of a pumice stone or other abrasive to reduce the
thickness of the corn
• Use of pads around the corn to
relieve pressure
• Inserts for shoes (over-the-counter or
custom orthotics)
• Use of a softening cream
•
Shaving the corn with a scalpel
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If these conservative treatments fail, surgery may be required to
keep the bone(s) from rubbing or pressing into the skin.
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