Calluses & Corns
Calluses and corns are caused by continuous pressure or friction on a single area of your foot.
Calluses form when your body responds to pressure by thickening the surface layer of the skin.
Corns form when calluses develop a central ‘core’, and may be either ‘hard’, when pressure is concentrated on a small area, or ‘soft’ corns, when the skin in the area is often moist from sweat or inadequate drying.
Calluses and corns have several causes, including: They are generally symptoms of underlying problems and, in some cases, early warning signals of more complex foot disorders.
The most important thing you can for a callus or corn is see your podiatrist. Your treatment will depend on the severity of your condition, and may include: removal of the corn or callus; application of padding, strapping or a deflective appliance to allow the callus to heal and prevent it from recurring; footwear recommendations to prevent recurrence; prescription orthotics to reduce weight-bearing forces on your feet.
Two things you should avoid if you have a callus or corn are: over-the-counter remedies such as ‘corn plasters’ – these can damage the surrounding healthy skin and should never be used by people with diabetes or poor circulation; cutting the callus or corn yourself – infection can easily develop in the warm, moist confines of a shoe, and small cuts can quickly become serious wounds.
If you have a callus or corn, or are concerned you may be developing one, contact us.
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