Introduction:
If you or someone you know has foot corn or calluses, it is important to note that this condition can be easily treated and even be prevented in the future. It is common to have foot corn if you wear uncomfortable shoes or keep standing on your feet for most of the day. But how do you know for sure that what you see on your foot is corns? It could be calluses or it could be anything else indicating a serious issue. That is why, before we jump into corn medicine foot care, we must learn the difference between corn and calluses, types of corns, causes, and then we will move on to treatment options.
What Is a Foot Corn?
The hardened layer of skin on your foot which is a result of your skin’s response to friction or pressure is called foot corn. Foot corns are usually round and they can be both hard and soft. Sometimes they can be a bit painful and if they are not that painful, they are still unsightly. Corns are small raised bumps of hard skin that is surrounded by irritated skin. They cause discomfort and pain.
What Are Calluses?
Calluses also show up as hard and thick skin but it is in form of skin patches, it is not round like corns. Calluses are larger than corns and they have irregular shapes. Calluses though bigger than corns are not painful but that does not mean they should not be treated effectively. Calluses are flat patches and these are not much sensitive to touch than the skin they are surrounded by.
Where Corns Form?
- Feet
- Top of the toes
- Side of the toes
Where Calluses Form?
- Bottom of feet
- Bony areas carrying weight, like big toes, heels, balls of the feet
- Sides of feet
- Hands
What are the Different Types Of Corns?
Calluses appear in irregular shapes, which is why there can’t be a definitive type of callus. However, since corns appear in round shapes, it can be easily assessed if that round shape is always of the same type or not. Here are the different types that corns appear in general:
Soft Corns: These usually appear between your toes. Soft corns have a softer and rubber-like texture, and they are whitish or grey in color
Hard Corns: These commonly form on top of your toes or in areas where the bones put pressure against the skin. These are hard, dense, and small. You will find these small hard skin areas usually within a larger area of thick skin
Seed Corns: these form on the bottom of your feet and are small
The Importance Of Knowing Why Corns And Calluses Form:
It is important to know the reason behind any health condition before treating it so that you can better target the root cause. The main reason why corns and calluses form on your feet or hands is because of repetitive tasks you do that put a lot of pressure and create friction on your feet or hands.
For example, if you use heavy tools for work daily, like if you are a mechanic or construction worker, then there will be the formation of calluses on your hands. If your work or daily routine requires you to walk a lot or keep standing on your feet all day, and your shoes or heels are ill-fitting, then you will surely develop foot corns and calluses.
Things That Cause Foot Corn And Calluses:
- Walking, running, or standing for extended periods of time
- Going barefoot
- Sports activities, work, or hobbies that put pressure on the same part of the skin repeatedly
- Not wearing socks with footwear
- Wearing ill-fitting shoes
- Walking with improper posture, like walking heavily on the outer or inner edge of the foot
- Wearing shoe linings or socks that bunch up under your feet when you are wearing shoes
- Structural foot deformities like bunions, hammertoes, etc., or changes in foot shape
Calluses and Corn Medicine Foot Treatment Ways:
Foot corns and calluses are not contagious, but it is important nonetheless to treat this condition as soon as you can. Some amount of callus is a normal thing, but if you find too much foot corn and callus, then it can be an alarming situation or it will become one soon.
It can be quite discomforting, painful, and unsightly to have an intense case of foot corn. The good news is, it is not that difficult at all to treat foot corn. You can use corn medicine foot care options, precautionary measures, and even home remedies to cure it effectively. Here are some common treatment solutions that dermatologists recommend.
Try Over-the-Counter Treatment Options:
There are many over-the-counter medicine options you can use to tackle corns and calluses. These methods are considered safe and effective. Go to your pharmacy and in the foot care aisle you will find cord pads that have salicylic acid, purchase these pads and apply them on your corns. These are quicker solution to treating foot corn. There are directions provided on the over the counter medicines, follow these directions and your foot corn will quickly go away.
Use A Pumice Stone To File Away Foot Corn:
- Soak your foot, or hand, whatever has corns and callus, in warm water for five to ten minutes or until the skin softens
- Use a wet pumice stone or emery board on your softened skin. Move it gently across the corn or callus to remove dead tissue
- Keep moving the stone in one direction until the corn is removed
- Do not overfill, otherwise it will lead to infection and bleeding
Use A Proper Moisturizing Cream:
Since the problem here is hardened skin, it makes sense to use the products that will make it softer. Using lotion or moisturizer is a great way to treat foot corns and calluses. Every day apply moisturizer or lotion on the corn and callus and any surrounding dead skin.
Make sure that the lotion or moisturizer that you use has the right ingredients to accelerate treatment. Using products with ammonium lactate or urea will be your best choice here. These ingredients help soften the skin in the long run.
Wear The Right Shoes:
By right shoes, we don’t mean the shoes that are in fashion and go well with your outfit; we mean the ones that are properly sized and according to the shape of your feet. It is advised to wear shoes that have more width and height around the toe area.
Another key point to remember here is that our feet get swollen by the end of the day, and that is the perfect time to buy shoes. If you buy shoes according to your feet during the daytime, then by night they will start to bite.
Cut Your Toenails:
Keeping your toenails trimmed is the best and easiest way to treat and avoid foot corns. If your toenails are too long, they will push against the top of your shoe, resulting in increased pressure and friction. It also matters how you cut your toenails. This means you must cut them straight across and avoid rounding the corners.
Use Adhesive Pads:
You can easily purchase moleskin padding and other corn and callus products at the local drugstore. There are specific donut-style adhesive pads that surround your corn or callus efficiently. Make sure the corn is in the center or the hole of the donut shaped adhesive. The pressure and pain is relieved with padding and it also helps in preventing irritation around the corn or callus.
Use A Cold Pack:
If you are experiencing pain in your corns and callus then it is suggested to apply a cold pack. The cold pack will reduce pain and swelling. Always use cold packs on swollen area for 10 to 20 minutes at a time maximum.
What You Should Not Do:
- Do not try to treat corns or calluses yourself if you have diabetes, sensitive skin, poor circulation, any skin infection, etc.
- Cut out the corn or callus
- Shave the corns
- Remove corns or calluses using a sharp object
Opt For The Right Foot Corn Treatment Today!
If you have foot corns or calluses you should not delay treating it thinking it will go away naturally. If some specific daily activity is a cause of this then the problem will more likely become severe in the future instead of going away. Assess your situation and opt for the right treatment option and if the above mentioned treatment methods do not work then visit your doctor.
Conclusion:
Having foot corns and calluses can be a discomforting and painful experience. However you don’t have to keep on suffering because of foot corns because there are very simple and effective corn medicine foot treatment ways to manage this problem. By filing away the corns, using lotion and moisturizer, wearing the right shoes, trimming your toenails, and using over the counter options you can effectively get rid of foot corns.
FAQs:
Q1. Are foot corns contagious?
Foot corns are not contagious, but they can be painful for the person who has them and should be treated accordingly.
Q2. Can I have corns on any other part of the body than my feet?
Yes you can have corns and calluses on your hands too because they are a result of repetitive tasks that put pressure on a part of the skin continuously and creates friction; that can be on your hands too.
Q3. Are there any corn medicine foot care management?
There are different over the counter corn medicine you can use, and you can also consult your healthcare provider for appropriate recommendation.
Q4. How to get rid of corns on the feet?
You can file them, use moisturizer, apply corn pads, etc., to effectively treat corns. If these things don’t work then you should go for podiatrist corn removal option.
Q5. Is there a specific type of product that works best for treating corns?
The products that have salicylic acid, ammonium lactate, and urea are the best ones in treating corns.
