Corns and callus can lead to a lot of discomfort when left untreated.
Within our general podiatry (chiropody) clinics, corns and callus treatment are one of the most common treatments we perform. As HCPC registered podiatrists we spend years practicing and honing our skills when it comes to corn and callus reduction/removal. Along side treatment we will often recommend ways that patients can look after their own feet. But in order to treat these conditions it we need to understand what they are and why we get them.
What is foot callus?
Callus is a patch of hard skin, often thickened and a slightly different colour to the surrounding tissue. Callus’ often occur as a result of increased pressure or friction and can occur anywhere on the body. Gym goers for example, will often find callus on their hands at the base of their fingers. When looking at the feet, callus often occurs over weight bearing areas such as the heel and forefoot, another common area is on the joints on the toes if they are rubbing against shoes. Poorly fitting footwear often results in callus build ups as well as soreness in the feet and toes.
What can you do to get rid of callus?
Firstly, DO NOT try and cut the callus off your feet by yourself. If the callus build up is large and uncomfortable, we highly recommend seeing a HCPC registered podiatrist for corn and callus treatment. During your appointment they will be able to remove the the offending callus and advise on best management.
There are also things that you can do at home:
- Soak feet in warm soapy water and use a pumice stone to remove hard skin (not too much though)
- Make sure your shoes fit well
- Use a urea based cream for the areas of hard skin
What is a corn?
A corn and callus are similar as both are a build up of hard skin. However corns tend to present like small hard stones, usually in or around areas of callus. Corns will often occur due to an increase in pressure over an area of skin. Some corns can present in-between toes, some a very small (seed like), some are large and deep and some are soft. Most corns will lead to discomfort so it is very important to look after your feet. Seeking advice from a chiropodist or podiatrist is always advised if you are experiencing discomfort in your foot.
Here are things you can do to help at home:
- Make sure you have well fitted footwear
- Soak corns in warm water to soften them and use a pumice stone
- DO NOT use corn plasters, as this often leads to damage to the surrounding tissue
- Use padding or soft insoles to improve comfort
If you are having problems with corns and callus then our experienced podiatry team can help. Get in touch below.