Corns: Causes, symptoms, and treatment
posted: Dec. 24, 2020.
Corns: Causes, symptoms, and treatment
For most people, corns on the feet are not usually serious. But they can be painful. Additionally, in some instances, a corn on the foot can lead to complications, including an infection.
What is a corn?
A corn is usually a small hardened patch of skin on the foot. Corns can also develop on the hands. Although a callus is also an area of rough skin, a corn is a little different.
Corns tend to be circular and small with a defined center. In some cases, the center is hard and may be painful. Typically, corns develop on smooth hairless areas of the foot.
Symptoms of a corn
The symptoms of a corn may start gradually and become a little worse over time. A corn may be hard or soft. Although it can vary, soft corns tend to develop between the toes. Hard corns are most likely found on the top of the toes.
Symptoms may include the following:
- A hardened raised bump on the foot
- A small tender bump under the skin
- A soft corn may have a rubbery or waxy texture
Causes and risks
Similar to calluses, corns on the feet are common, and anyone can develop one. But you may be more likely to develop a corn in the following situations:
- Wearing shoes that are too tight
- An awkwardly placed seam in a shoe that causes friction
- Going barefoot
- Repetitive activities that place stress on the feet, such as jogging
Complications
Typically, corns on the feet are not harmful and are usually easily treated. But in some cases, a corn can become infected and inflamed. Signs a corn is infected include:
- Redness
- Increase in pain
- Warm skin to the touch
People that have poor circulation or diabetes may be at an increased risk of an infection from a corn.
Diagnosis
Usually, most people are able to treat a corn at home. But there are cases when it is best to see a foot specialist. It is important to see a foot specialist if you have signs of an infection or the corn is painful. Do not attempt to treat a corn yourself by trimming the excess skin if you have a condition that causes poor circulation.
Treatment
If a corn is not bothering you, you may not need treatment. But keep in mind, it may grow larger and become bothersome at some point.
In most cases, home remedies are helpful to get rid of a corn. Remedies may include:
Applying a pad: Donut-style adhesive pads that surround the corn are available for purchase over the counter. Place the pad so that the corn is in the center of the pad. The padding can help protect the corn from further irritation.
Using a pumice stone: Soak your foot in warm water for about 10 minutes. After removing your foot from the water, use a pumice stone to remove dead skin. Do not try to cut the corn away yourself with a sharp object. Save that for your foot specialist if needed.
Wearing proper-fitting shoes and socks: Wearing proper fitting shoes and socks may decrease friction and ease the pain from a corn. It may also prevent future corns from developing.
If home treatment is not effective, consider seeing a foot specialist. Then, in some cases, if the corn is large and painful, the foot specialist may trim the thickened skin. If this does not give you enough relief, the podiatrist may recommend minimally invasive surgery to reduce the contracture and give you long term relief.
If you have any questions about corn treatment or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact podiatrist Sheldon Nadal, D.P.M at the Bayview Eglinton Podiatry Clinic in Toronto.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16896-corns-and-calluses