Corns and Callus
Corns and callus are one of the most common problems seen by podiatrists everyday. There can be varying degrees of callus from minimal callus under the ball of the foot, to an infected ulcer that develops as a result of thick callus that damages the skin.
Corns and callus are pathologically the same, what that means is the skin has thickened in response to pressure, callus is a diffuse thickening of the skin and a corn is a more focal thickening.
What Causes corns and callus?
Are caused by too much friction, pressure, or shearing, or all of them. The pressure that occurs stimulates the skin to thicken in order to protect itself, but if the stimulation remains the callus build up gets great and becomes very painful.
The pressure, friction or shearing can come about due to;
- tight footwear
- toe deformities such as hammer toes cause increased pressure usually due to rubbing on the shoes
- bony prominence
- reduction in fatty padding on the ball or heel of the foot (this occurs naturally as we get older)
- biomechanical deformity, which can cause pressure under different areas on the bottom of the foot- for more information have a look at my page on biomechanics!!!
KEY POINT– corns or callus are usually there as a symptom of an underlying condition, so it is better to try and understand and treat the cause rather than just the symptoms
Corns and Callus Removal
Self-Treatments for corn and callus removal?
- a file or pumice stone to reduce in-between podiatry appointments, little and often (under advise from your podiatrist)
- a moisturiser with urea (urea helps in breaking down the hard skin)
- application of padding to offload areas of high pressure
What can a Podiatrist do for you in clinic?
- assessment to see what is causing the corn/ callus
- use of padding to offload pressure
- footwear advice for style and fitting
- use of orthotics to relieve pressure under the foot (long term treatment)
- As I have previously written it is important to see a podiatrist if you have corns and callus AND also diabetes or poor circulation.
Please don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01403 276 272 or contact us to discuss any problems you are having with your corns and callus.
