Callus, Corns and Hard Skin
What are corns and callus?
A corn is a concentrated area of thickened skin in the form of a cone.
A callus is generally a larger area of thickened skin that may have several corns within it.
Why do they occur?
Skin thickens to protect itself from pressure and friction generated when skin gets caught between for example the underlying bone and the shoe. When they become very thick they become painful and sometimes, if they are not removed, an ulcer may form underneath.
Who are at risk from corns and callus?
- People with poor biomechanics such as people with low or high arches
- People who wear ill-fitting shoes.
- People with deformed feet, such as those with arthritic joints.
- Active people who subject their feet to excessive stress.
How can they be prevented ?
- Avoiding ill-fitting shoes.
- Wearing appropriate shoes for particular tasks, such as walking boots with thick woollen socks for hiking.
- Rubbing any hard skin down with pumice.
- Moisturising feet daily, to keep the skin supple and help prevent friction.
What you shouldn’t do:
- Do not pull at hard skin.
- Do not hack feet with razor blades and knives.
- Avoid medicated corn plasters and caustics. They generally make the surrounding skin sore and can cause ulcers.
How to treat corns and callus?
Consult a State Registered Chiropodist or Podiatrist, for hard skin removal and advice on creams and prevention of hard skin forming. They may also advise a change of footwear.
Why do corns and callus come back?
Unless pressure and friction are reduced from the area corns and callus tend to come back. Many people need to return to the Chiropodist or Podiatrist every three months to help keep corns and callus from becoming painful. For long-term management a Podiatric Biomechanics Specialist can help by determining why these areas are receiving too much pressure.