Everything You Need to Know about Foot Corns
The thickened pad of skin is called callus. It is usually caused by the weight the places extreme pressure on the sole; however, when the callus becomes highly concentrated, it becomes a corn. Corns can be extremely painful when they start pressing the sensitive nerves in the skin. They can also become inflamed and red.
What Are Foot Corns?
Corns are rough mounds of dead skin often forming on or in between the toes. Corns are also associated with bursae, the fluid-filled sacs cushioning the juncture of the toe bones. These can become irritated and can lead to bursitis.
Causes of Foot Corns:
Corns are often caused by too much friction or pressure on the toes, often from wearing high heels or ill-fitting shoes. Because the skin protects the body from certain damages, corns are formed in the skin’s attempt to protect the pressure-affected area. They are formed from the buildup of dead skin cells and secretion of keratin. Generally, people who don’t always wear tight-fitting shoes or high heels are not prone to developing corns.
Symptoms of Foot Corns:
Corns have regular shape and often have gray, white, or yellow color. They usually form on the outer portion of the first or fifth toe, since these points receive the most pressure. Corns between the toes are soft and are not as firm and tough as others since there is moist between the toes.
Treatments for Foot Corns Treatment:
Persistent or severe corns need medical treatment. Persons diagnosed with atherosclerosis, diabetes, and other cardio-vascular and circulatory diseases should always consult with their doctor for treatment as the risks of infection are higher. Certain acid preparations may also be used to reduce corns. Most prescription medications have the mixture of lactic acids, salicylic acid, and collodion. OTC acids are weaker and are not as effective as prescription counterparts.
Foot Corns Self Care:
Corns can be best treated by eliminating first the main cause of pressure. OTC preparations may be used, such as padding for friction reduction, medicated pads for softening the blisters, and ointments to remove and reduce the pain caused by the corns.
Prevention of Foot Corns and Calluses:
To prevent having corns, make sure to wear comfortable shoes only. Avoid wearing ill-fitting footwear and shoes as these are often the major cause of calluses and corns. You should also wear shoes that do not cause toes cramping. It is also important to adjust your style of walking as improper walking such as walking with the sides of the feet can easily produce corns and calluses.