What causes a corn or callus?

Corns are an area of callus that has been compacted with sustained and repeated pressure until the central region forms a hard core. Corns are often very painful, causing sufferers to avoid certain shoes, activities and even changing the way they walk to avoid placing any pressure on the area. 

Diagnosis

Corns and calluses are usually able to be diagnosed by visual examination and palpation by a podiatrist. 

Features may include hard, rough, dry or flaky areas of skin, hardened raised bumps or an area of tenderness/pain. These lesions occur almost exclusively on weight bearing surfaces or areas that are exposed to rubbing or friction. Common sites for corns and callus include around the underside of the heel, ball of the foot, the outside of the little toes or the inside aspect of the great toe.

How to treat corns or callus's

Corns and callus are conditions we see daily at Dapto Foot Clinic. Treatment will usually consist of a combination of the following:

-Gentle removal of the hard skin making up the corn / callus. In the case of the corn, the centre is removed. This generally provides immediate relief.
– Deflective in-shoe padding to reduce pressure at the problem area and slow or prevent the formation
Footwear advice
– Advice around the use of moisturisers and emollients, which can slow reformation.
– Orthotics can be used to redistribute pressure on the foot, reduce excessive weight-bearing forces and provide long-term relief.

We recommend against the use of medicated patches available for purchase over-the-counter. At best these only provide temporary relief and at worst can cause damage to healthy tissue adjacent to the problem area and even infection. 

More information can be found at the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons