Corns and Calluses are hardened layers of skin that form when the skin tries to defend itself against excessive pressure.
Corns generally occur at pressure points which are usually at the side of the toes or the foot bottom.
Calluses can develop anywhere there is repeated friction. The common callus usually occurs when there’s been a lot of rubbing against the feet.
Improper shoes are often the reason for the formation of corns and calluses on the foot. Simply wearing orthopedic shoes with its wide toe box can stop the formation of corns and calluses. Custom orthotics is also a good solution for corns and calluses as orthotics work to realign the body and provide proper weight distribution thus removing the pressure points that give rise to the corns and calluses.
Our chiropodist can also remove corns and calluses. Once corns and calluses are removed its important to wear the proper shoes as well as custom orthotics to prevent reoccurrence.
Corns And Calluses can be annoying, but your body actually forms them in areas of excessive pressure to protect sensitive skin. Corns And Calluses are often confused with one another.
Corns generally occur on the tops and sides of the feet. A hard corn is a small patch of thickened, dead skin with a central core. A soft corn has a much thinner surface and usually occurs between the 4th and 5th toes. A seed corn is a tiny, discrete callous that can be very tender if it’s on a weight-bearing part of the foot. Seed corns tend to occur on the bottom of the feet, and some doctors believe this condition is caused by plugged sweat ducts.
Calluses can develop anywhere there is repeated friction. Like corns, calluses have several variants. The common callus usually occurs when there’s been a lot of rubbing against the hands or feet. A plantar callus is found on the bottom of the foot.
Causes
- Improper walking motion and foot deformities. Some corns and calluses on the feet develop from an improper walking motion.
- Ill-fitting shoes. Rubbing or pressure can cause either soft corns or plantar calluses. High-heeled shoes are the worst offenders. They put pressure on the toes and make women four times as likely as men to have this foot problem.
- Wearing shoes or sandals without socks. This can lead to friction on the feet.
Treatments we provide
- Changes in footwear. We provide or recommend comfortable shoes with a deep, roomy toe box and heels no higher than two inches. We discourage shoes with pointed toes, shoes that are too short, or shoes with high heels.