Corns and calluses affect more people than almost any other kind of foot problem. As we walk or stand, our feet carry the burden of our body weight and movement. Sometimes, pressure placed on the foot becomes out of balance and extra friction falls on certain areas of the foot, such as the balls of the feet, the heels or the tops of the toes.
Calluses
The body may respond to this extra pressure by producing thickenings in the surface layer of the skin. These hard patches of skin are called calluses and are part of the body’s defence system to protect the underlying tissues. If the cause of the pressure is not relieved, calluses become painful.
Corns
If the pressure gets concentrated in a small area, a ‘hard’ corn may develop. ‘Soft’ corns may also form between toes where the skin is moist from sweat or inadequate drying. These appear white and rubbery and are also the result of excessive friction.
Sometimes the pressure of the corn or callus may produce inflammation which can result in pain, swelling and redness. Skin can become hard and thick and if untreated can sometimes crack, which can lead to infections.
Causes and symptoms
While they are often caused by ill-fitting footwear, corns and calluses can also be symptoms of underlying problems and in some cases, are early warning signs of more complex foot disorders. Because they are caused by continuous pressure in one particular area, they may indicate for example a deformity of bone structure or a problem with the way we walk.
It’s really important, therefore, to check with a podiatrist before trying to treat your own corns and calluses. Besides only treating the symptoms not the cause, some do-it-yourself treatments can also damage the healthy skin that surrounds the corn.
Treatment
A podiatrist will give you a better idea as to what is causing the corns and calluses to develop, as well as relieving the pain. To effectively treat a painful corn, your podiatrist will gently remove some of the hard skin of the callus so the centre of the corn can be removed.
To allow a callus to heal, strapping, padding or foam wedges can be used to redistribute pressure on the foot and will help with prevention of calluses in the future. Your type of footwear may also have an impact, and your podiatrist will discuss the most appropriate footwear for you to minimise future problems.
