OverviewWhat are corns and calluses?Corns and calluses are a buildup of hard, thick areas of skin. Although these hardened areas of skin can form anywhere on your body, you’ll usually see them on your feet, hands or fingers. Show
Corns Corns tend to be small and round. You are most likely to see corns on the tops or sides of your toes. There are several types of corns:
Corns, typically small and round, form on top (hard corns), sides (soft corns) and bottom (seed corns) of your toes and foot. Calluses Calluses are hard and thick patches of skin. Compared with corns, calluses are larger and have a more irregular (more spread out) shape. You are most likely to see calluses on the bottom of your foot on the bony areas that carry your weight – your heel, big toe, the ball of your foot and along the side of your foot. Some degree of callus formation on the bottom of your foot is normal. Calluses are also often seen on hands. For instance, calluses form where there is repeated friction or rubbing– like on the tips of fingers of guitar players or the hands of gymnasts, weightlifters, or craftsmen. Calluses form on the weight-bearing areas of your feet. How do corns and calluses form?Corns and calluses develop from repeated friction, rubbing or irritation and pressure on the skin. Corns and calluses typically form on the bony or prominent areas of feet. On the hands, they (more likely calluses) form on the areas where there is ongoing rubbing against the skin. The hardened layers of skin of corns and calluses are actually your body’s way of protecting the underlying skin from the irritation and pressure. Who is more likely to get corns or calluses?You are more likely to develop corns or calluses if:
Are corns and calluses painful?Corns and calluses may or may not be painful. Some corns and calluses may not be painful when they first develop but then become painful over time as they thicken. The raised areas of skin – especially of corns – can be tender or sensitive to touch or pressure. Calluses tend to be less sensitive to touch than the normal skin around it. Sometimes cracks (called fissures) form in a callus. Fissures can be painful. If you had a corn or callus that becomes infected, you will likely feel pain or at least some discomfort. What are the complications of having corns and calluses?Untreated (or unsuccessfully) treated corns and calluses might grow larger in size until you fix what caused them to develop in the first place. Corns or calluses can become infected. This can be painful and make walking difficult. You may need medical or even surgical treatment. Symptoms and CausesWhat are the most likely causes of corns and calluses?Corns and calluses have many of the same causes. These include:
What are the most likely symptoms of corns and calluses?Common symptoms include:
Diagnosis and TestsHow are corns and calluses diagnosed?It’s not difficult to diagnose corns and calluses. No tests are required. A simple visual exam of the skin is usually all that is needed. Your doctor may ask you questions about your job, how much walking and standing you do, and in what activities you participate. If your corn or callus is on your foot, your doctor may ask you to walk to check your posture and the way you walk, ask about your footwear and ask how you take care of your feet. Management and TreatmentHow are corns and calluses treated?Treatment depends on your symptoms and what caused the corn or callus. For the typical corn or callus, removing the buildup of skin is an effective treatment. Follow these steps:
Other care tips include:
Should I try over-the-counter medications to treat my corns or calluses?Over-the-counter products used to dissolve corns and calluses contain harsh chemicals. If you aren’t precise in applying the chemical, it can injury the surrounding healthy skin. If you have diabetes, do not self treat. See your doctor due to the foot complications possible with diabetes. Is surgery ever needed for corns and calluses?Most corns and calluses can be managed by following the simple tips listed in this article – namely, avoid snug-fitting shoes and removing any corns or calluses with a pumice stone after soaking your feet in warm water. Surgery may be considered if you have a structural deformity in your foot or toes that results in the repeated development of corns or calluses. In this case, your surgeon may need to remove or realign bone tissue. Other reasons for surgery are if the corns or calluses are extremely painful or if they prevent you from walking comfortably or normally. PreventionCan corns and calluses be prevented?Feet are an often overlooked part of the body until a problem develops. With a little bit of attention and care, most cases of corns or calluses can be prevented. Things to keep in mind include:
Outlook / PrognosisAfter corns and calluses are healed, do they come back?Since corns and calluses are the result of friction, irritation or pressure against the skin, they can return at any time if the cause has not been fixed. In other words, if poorly-fitted shoes were the cause and you continue to wear these same shoes, the corns and calluses will likely return. Fortunately, most corns and calluses can be successfully managed at home with a little care and attention. If at any time you are concerned about a growth on your foot, are unsure of what to do or how to treat, and especially if you have diabetes, prone to infections, or have delicate skin, see your doctor. Your doctor is in the best position to examine your feet, ask about or test for other medical conditions you may have, treat your feet and tell you how to take care of them. Living WithWhen should you see your doctor if you have corns or calluses?See your doctor:
Why does under my foot hurt near my toes?Pain in the bottom of your foot is often caused by exercise, such as running, wearing shoes that are too tight or a condition, such as Morton's neuroma. Some people also have a foot shape that puts extra pressure on the bottom of the foot. Hard or cracked skin or a verruca can also cause this type of pain.
What is the hard painful spot on the bottom of my foot?What is a hard spot on the bottom of your foot? A hard spot on the bottom of your foot can result from a variety of different causes, including uneven weight distribution linked to diabetes, calluses, dyshidrotic eczema, plantar warts, plantar fibromas, synovial sarcomas, and cysts or benign soft tissue tumors.
What does metatarsalgia feel like?The pain of metatarsalgia is sometimes described as: a burning or aching sensation. a shooting pain. tingling or numbness in the toes.
How do you get rid of metatarsalgia fast?Lifestyle and home remedies. Rest. Protect your foot from further injury by not stressing it. ... . Ice the affected area. Apply ice packs to the affected area for about 20 minutes at a time several times a day. ... . Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. ... . Wear proper shoes. ... . Use metatarsal pads. ... . Consider arch supports.. |