Corns and Calluses Treatment

Corns and calluses are thickened areas of skin. They can develop when repeated, excessive pressure, rubbing or friction occurs on the same area of the body over a long period of time. This causes the body’s defence mechanisms to kick in and, as a result, excess dead skin builds up. When small, they may not cause any problems at all. If they become larger or bulky, they can lead to pain and problems with walking.

What is a Callus?

A Callus is a portion of generalised hard skin. The hard portion of skin is usually evenly distributed. Calluses most often occur on the soles of the feet.

What is a Corn?

Corns are usually circular in shape and very hard. They have a waxy appearance and at the centre is a dense knot of skin called a core. They are most common on bony areas of the feet like on top of toes, in between toes, or under the forefoot. Corns can occur underneath calluses; and both occur when there is a lot of pressure placed, over time, on certain areas of the foot.

What Causes Corns and Calluses?

Both calluses and corns are caused when there is pressure on the skin. The skin reacts to this ‘attack’ by thickening up to protect the area. With more pressure, the corn or callus can become worse as the body’s defence mechanism keeps working to protect the area.

Pressure is anything that places unusual and prolonged stress on the foot on a regular basis, such as:

• poor alignment of the bones of the feet
• footwear that does not fit well.

Corns and Callus Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of calluses

• thickened skin which is evenly distributed
• a raised area of skin
• discoloured skin with a glassy yellowish appearance
• pain or discomfort when walking or standing or when wearing particular shoes

Calluses usually form on the soles of the feet and particularly near the base of the toes, where there may be friction from the inside of shoes.

Signs and symptoms of corns

• A thick or rough area of skin with a central core
• A small black dot under a thick yellow layer of skin
• Pain when pressure is put on the area 
• A feeling of walking on a small stone 

If a corn goes untreated, the ongoing pressure can break down the lower layer of skin and lead to an ulcer, which may then lead to infection.

With both conditions, if left untreated, they can cause pain which can then also lead to making changes to walking style such as limping. These compensations in gait i.e. walking differently in order to prevent the painful part of the foot carrying any weight, can lead to pain and discomfort higher up the body, such as in the knees and hips.

How Podiatrists Can Help with Calluse & Corn Treatment

Removal and treatment is simple and painless. After confirming the diagnosis of a corn or a callus, treatment can begin.

Treating Calluses 

Calluses are treated by shaving away some of the thickened, rough skin with a scalpel blade to relieve pain and pressure in the affected area. The procedure is painless because the surface skin being treated is already dead. 

Removing the excess skin reduces the pressure on the area; thereby preventing the pressure or friction from continuing. No dressing is required but the area can feel a little raw afterwards due to the tissue underneath being disrupted. If there is discomfort, a dressing can be worn for a day or so.

Corn Treatment

Corns are removed by enucleation or excision (cutting it out!) with a scalpel. This is only a 2 minute process! Additionally, chemicals can be applied to stop the skin building up again. Continued and regular use of an intense moisturiser is recommended to soften the skin.

As with calluses, the procedure should not be painful as it’s only dead skin which is being affected. If the corn is very deep, patients might feel a little uncomfortable. The area may require a dressing for a day or so but patients can walk on the affected foot straight away.

Preventing recurrence of corns and calluses

Following removal of a corn or callus, the next step is to address the underlying issue which caused it to form in the first place.Walking style (gait), shoes and lifestyle/activities can all cause a build up of hard skin. Once these factors are understood, suggestions can be made to reduce the pressure in that area. Corns and calluses are less likely to come back if these lifestyle factors are addressed.

Footcare

Moisturising the feet regularly will keep the skin soft and supple and can slow down the rate at which excess, hard skin builds up. Any moisturiser will help but balms tend to penetrate deeper into the callused skin and therefore can have more of an effect. Applying the cream at night and covering the feet with socks will help the cream absorb into the feet.

Soaking the feet in warm soapy water for a few minutes each day can soften corns and calluses. Regularly removing hard, dry skin gently with a pumice stone or emery board can help prevent the build up of skin in specific areas such as the heels. 

Footwear

If the cause of the corn or callus is ill-fitting footwear then modifications are likely to be suggested. There are several changes that can be made to increase comfort and reduce the likelihood of a corn or callus forming again:

• Increased cushioning can be placed in the shoe
• Shoes can be stretched in place where they are tight
• Changing footwear altogether may be recommended

Biomechanics

If the corn or callus is related to the mechanics of your feet (that’s the structure and movement), orthotics or shoe inserts can be used to change the way the weight is distributed through the foot and redistribute the pressure that caused the corn or callus in the first place.