Corns & Calluses

Corns and Calluses are caused by an accumulation of dead skin cells that harden and thicken on an area of skin as the body's way of protecting against excessive pressure and friction to avoid creating a wound. A corn will have a cone-shaped core with an inward point that can press on a nerve below the skin and can be very painful. Corns are usually found on the tops, sides and/or tips of the toes. There are two types of corns, hard corns, and soft corns. Soft corns are usually found in between the toes. Their cause is a result of bony prominences of the toes rubbing together creating pressure. Due to perspiration this area stays moist not allowing the dead skin to dry out and harden thus resulting in softer tissue. The darkness of the foot being in a shoe and the moisture caused by perspiration can set the stage for Fungal Infections as well. However, hard corns are more common on the tops and tips of the toes. These corns are dryer, usually thicker, and are more commonly a result of a deformity in the toe causing pressure to the area. A Hammer Toe can develop a corn on the top of the PIP joint or the middle joint of the toe, and a Claw Toe is more likely to have a corn on the very tip of the toe. This is due to the nature of the deformity itself. These areas can also have callus formations which are usually precursor to the development of a corn. However, Calluses are more common on other areas of the foot such as the outside and bottom of a Bunion or Bunionette, the ball of the foot causing Metatarsalgia, the heel creating Heel Pain, and any other area of the foot where undue pressure is occurring. Some Calluses have a deep seated core known as a nucleation and can be especially painful. This type of Callusing is usually on the plantar side or the bottom of the foot and is known as Intractable Plantar Keratosis or a pressure callus. This type of callus should never be self treated.

Common root causes of Corns and Calluses are improper Biomechanics of the Foot causing pressure; Bunions and Bunionettes; high heeled dress shoes, which put the foot in a less and ideal position for walking sometimes causing Metatarsalgia; shoes and hosiery that are fitted too small or too big; pes planus feet more commonly know as Over Pronation or Flat Feet; pes cavus feet more commonly know as High Arched Feet; deformities such as Hammer Toes and Claw Toes; and the loss of fat pad on the bottom of the foot. Shoe Fitting Reference Guidefor proper guidelines on how to best fit your shoes. Even if you are using the right fit and type of shoes for whatever you are doing, the use of an ezWalker™ custom fitted arch support can be the best way to reduce existing Corn and Callus formations as well as a way to proactively avoid this painful condition altogether. The ezWalker™ will redistribute weight, create balance, give stability, and in general reduce fatigue making it easier to walk.

Many people try to alleviate the problem of Corns and Calluses by self treating. For callus formations the best self treatment is the daily use of a pumice stone. Never cut on the dead skin tissue due to the risk of injury and infection. Over the counter preparations for the removal of Corns and Calluses is not a good idea as these preparation usually don't work and cause more irritation. If you are a diabetic, and suffer from the pain of Corn and/or Callus formations, NEVER self treat and always consult a physician as the risk of infection is too high and can lead to loss of a toe or worse. If your Corns and Calluses become inflamed, create severe pain, develop open sores, or bleed you must consult your doctor for proper treatment. Left untreated, these complications are at risk for infection and can lead to a loss of toes or worse.

If you are following these guidelines and problems persist, you must seek the council of a physician for diagnosis and treatment.