Corns on the feet are one of the most frequent problems that many clients consult us about. These skin thickening, although not fatal, can make your life impossible. Symptoms range from pain when wearing shoes, discomfort when walking and a bad appearance of your feet.
Fortunately, this condition is treatable! Ointments, moisturizers, compresses and plantar orthotics are a few examples. However, in more delicate cases, or if you suffer from diabetes or vascular disease, consulting a certified podiatrist is the best alternative.
If you are already dealing with this annoying condition, and want to get rid of it, then you are in the right place! As La Clinique Podiatrique de Laval, the best podiatry specialists in all of Laval, we will explain here how to remove and prevent foot corns. Let’s get started!
What are foot corns?
Corns on the feet are thickening of the skin that form a kind of cone-shaped core. These hardened layers of skin are usually caused by excessive friction or pressure on the affected area. Corns are not dangerous, but they can cause irritation and a lot of discomfort.
Both men and women can develop corns on their feet, but it is more common for women to suffer from this problem. Corns usually have a distinctive center, a round, well-defined shape. Corns are almost always surrounded by inflamed skin.
Unlike calluses, if you squeeze the calluses you will feel pain. This thickening tends to form on parts of the skin that do not support weight or friction, such as on the joints of the toes (hard corns), between the toes (soft corns) or on the soles of the feet (seed-shaped corns).
What are the causes of corns on the feet?
There are a variety of reasons why corns form: from your footwear, your lifestyle or another foot-related condition. But in general, corns appear due to skin friction. The body reacts to this by generating protective layers of hardened skin to prevent damage.
Other causes conducive to the formation of corns on the feet are:
- Wearing tight-fitting shoes or high heels that rub against the skin.
- Walking, running a lot or standing for long periods of time.
- Walking barefoot.
- Poor gait.
- Wearing tight socks or socks made of rough fabric.
- Having other conditions such as bunions, hammertoes, bone spurs and other foot deformities.
What are the symptoms of corns on the feet?
Before knowing the symptoms of corns, you need to know how to tell the difference between a corn and calluses. Calluses are rarely painful and appear more on the soles of the feet. They are usually larger than corns and vary in size and shape.
On the other hand, the appearance of corns on the feet is characterized by:
- A hardened, raised bump resulting from thickening of the skin.
- Tenderness and pain when walking or wearing shoes.
- Thick, swollen skin around the bump.
Risks of foot corns
Despite being easy to treat, foot corns can be harmful to people with diabetes or circulation problems. A badly treated or injured callus can cause infections or serious ulcerations. Therefore, if you suffer from these diseases, it is crucial that you visit our podiatrists to avoid these complications, we will be happy to assist you in our clinic!
How to get rid of corns on your feet?
To get rid of uncomfortable corns, there are different treatments you can follow at home. Of course, this will depend on the level of pain you feel, or the discomfort when walking or standing. In extreme cases, or if you suffer from any medical complication, the ideal is to visit a doctor.
Let’s review, then, some methods to treat corns:
1. Home remedies
If corns do not hurt, soak your feet in hot water with bath salts for half an hour. This will help relieve the discomfort and soften the skin. After this, dry your feet and check that the calluses have softened. Then, file your feet with a pumice stone or emery board to remove the hard skin.
2. Use over-the-counter products
To soften your feet, and make it easier to remove calluses, get moisturizing creams, pads or callus dressings. These products are great for treating the discomfort of corns and you can find them at any drugstore. If you’re looking for a quick alternative, these products will do the trick.
For example, adhesive pads and callus dressings are placed between the toes to relieve pressure. Moisturizing creams or lotions will help soften the hardened skin. This way, you can get rid of corns without complications. If your feet hurt a lot, try cold compresses.
3. See a specialist
If corns do not disappear with home remedies, or if you have any complications and the pain does not go away, you should consult a doctor! Podiatrists are the professionals indicated to treat your corns or section them, if necessary.
At La Clinique Podiatrique de Laval, our renowned podiatrists will evaluate your feet, and prescribe the best treatments and products to make your corns disappear. If the problem is severe, our team will remove your corns safely and sterile, with the appropriate medical instruments. They will also provide you with customized plantar orthotics.
4. Warnings
If you want to remove corns on your own, never use sharp objects such as scissors or blades, because of the risk of injury or infection. On the other hand, do not apply products with commercial chemicals, as these can irritate the skin or worsen the problem. These warnings apply in particular to people with diabetes or peripheral vascular disease.
Some measures to prevent the appearance of corns and calluses on the feet
Fortunately for you, preventing the appearance of corns or calluses is simple. You just need to change some habits in your routine and take care of your feet more diligently. Let’s look at some preventive tips:
- Wear more comfortable shoes. Avoid wearing shoes that are tight or too narrow for your toes.
- Use custom insoles to cushion the pressure and friction on your feet.
- Do not walk barefoot.
- Always dry your feet after getting them wet. Preferably, apply moisturizing creams to keep your skin soft and smooth.
- Remove roughness from your feet frequently, at least once or twice a week. Use a quality file or pumice stone.
- Keep your toenails trimmed.
- Use protective pads or dressings to relieve discomfort.
- See your podiatrist regularly. Consistent follow-up with a specialist will help you identify other abnormalities in your feet or gait that are conducive to corns.
Say goodbye to calluses on your feet, at La Clinique Podiatrique de Laval
Now that you know how to remove and prevent corns on your feet, what are you waiting for to apply these tips? Don’t let calluses continue to spoil your daily life. Also, don’t forget to take care of your feet and follow all the preventive measures, so that the skin on your feet does not harden or crack.
On the other hand, if you are already dealing with this condition and need professional intervention, we are the ones to turn to! At La Clinique Podiatrique de Laval, our trained professionals will treat corns or calluses on your feet with the most advanced equipment.
But that’s not all! Our clinic offers you a variety of podiatric services, from consultations, treatments, plantar orthoses, minor surgery, sports podiatry, children’s podiatry and much more. Our clinic is the number one reference in Laval for your foot health.
We provide you with the highest quality care in a professional and friendly environment. Our specialists treat all kinds of foot conditions, from nail fungus, plantar warts, athlete’s foot, bunions, hammertoes and other podiatric complications.
As if that were not enough, we have the latest technology for your feet. Our address is 3333, 100th Avenue – Suite 105, Laval (Quebec), we will help you with any discomfort you may have! In addition, our clinic applies all the biosecurity and disinfection protocols, for your well-being.
In our clinic, our priority is to restore the health of your feet. Don’t hesitate to make an appointment with us by clicking on the image below! Laval’s most prestigious podiatrists are waiting for you!
