Too many people can dismiss hardened skin on their feet as something too minor to really worry about. However, noticing changes in your foot skin texture, colour, and sensitivity, could be signs of corns or calluses.
For personalised advice, contact our team at Foot and Leg Pain Centre today.
What Are Corns and Calluses?
What Are Corns and Calluses?
Corns and calluses, though very similar, do have distinct differences. They are both thickened areas of skin that develop as a result of repeated friction or pressure against the foot skin. They are both examples of how the body will naturally protect itself from damage, as when excessive rubbing causes irritation the skin will harden. However, when left untreated and unaddressed, this thickened area of skin can become painful over time. While both corns and calluses can commonly develop on both hands and feet, this article will specifically focus on foot treatments.
While a corn is similar to a callus in that they are both areas of hardened skin that develop due to friction and pressure, there are some distinct differences as well. Corns are typically smaller and have a painful centre, which is surrounded by irritated skin. Over time, that core will grow bigger, thickening as it impacts deeper layers of skin. This is what causes greater levels of discomfort and pain as time passes. Calluses, comparatively, have no distinct centre. A callus is a hardened patch of thickened skin that develops to prevent irritation and breakage, so may also cause some levels of discomfort.
What Are the Symptoms of Corns and Calluses?
It is common for corns and calluses to develop on areas of your foot that bear weight, such as the soles, or spots that may rub against your footwear. Ultimately, every person is unique, and their experience with calluses or corns can vary significantly. Symptoms will differ depending on how much the callus or corn has progressed, how long you’ve had it, the location, and the types of footwear you wear. When symptoms are left unaddressed, you risk more severe problems arising such as infections, ulcerations, foot deformities, and changes in gait.
Here are several of the common indicators of both corns and calluses:
- Redness
- Irritation
- Pain and tenderness to the touch
- Thickened and hardened skin
- Discomfort when wearing tight footwear
- Rough and flaky skin texture
- Skin sensitivity
- Yellowish discolouration of the skin
What Causes Corns and Calluses?
There is a wide variety of factors that could be causing corns or calluses to develop. Ultimately, your skin will harden and thicken as a result of friction, pressure, and irritation. Something as simple as the shoes you wear could be the underlying cause, as wearing shoes that are too narrow or tight for your feet can put unnecessary pressure and friction on your foot skin.
Other problems that could contribute to the development of calluses and corns include:
- Abnormalities in feet, gait, or overall biomechanics
- Repetitive movement such as running
- Underlying foot problems, including bunions and hammer toes
- Insufficient cushioning and padding in footwear
What Are the Treatment Options for Corns and Calluses?
If you’re concerned about a corn or callus that may have developed on your foot, visiting a podiatrist should be your next step. A podiatry clinic will be able to provide a full assessment of your foot, examining all areas of concern and seeking to provide a more accurate diagnosis for what may be irritating your skin. Once the cause of your corn or callus has been identified, they will then begin to create a custom treatment plan tailored to your needs and concerns.
Often, this will include professional debridement and enucleation to remove the lesions altogether. You should never attempt to remove corns and calluses independently – for safety, this should only be attempted by an experienced podiatrist. Once removed, your podiatrist may offer preventative advice to avoid the callus or corn redeveloping. This may include footwear changes, padding, custom orthotics, or other topical treatments.
Address Your Corns and Calluses at Your Local Foot and Leg Pain Centre
If you have reason to believe that you have corns or calluses on your foot, there’s no reason to put off treatment. The earlier you intervene, the better chance you have of being able to treat your area of concern before it develops into something more severe. Here at the Foot and Leg Pain Centre, we provide tailored treatment plans for a range of foot conditions, including both corns and calluses. Book an appointment with us today to get to the bottom of your concerns.