Sue Ferguson
Chiropodist and Podiatrist in Tenterden, Kent
LOCATION: Home | Common Foot Problems | Corns and Calluses Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council
Registration No. CH16194
 

Corns and Calluses


Corns and Calluses

Corns and calluses are thick, hard, toughened and dry areas of skin found on the feet. They are caused by friction or pressure from shoes, adjacent bones, or the ground as you walk. They are found anywhere on the feet and can range from very mild to very severe ulcerated/broken down areas which can also be infected. Corns and calluses can cause foot pain and can be very painful.

Plantar Callus and Corns
Plantar Foot Callus with several small corns in the area
Plantar Foot Callus
Plantar Foot Callus
Plantar foot callus
Plantar Foot Callus

Corns
A corn is a small conical shaped area of hard dead skin which presses on the underlying nerve endings and can often cause intense pain. They are normally quite small and round in shape. They are caused by friction and pressure from shoes and the ground surface. They can be found anywhere on the foot but are more commonly found on the ball of the foot and on the top of the toes. Occasionally they are found between the toes. They are often easily removed or reduced in size by a chiropodist or podiatrist giving instant relief from pain.

Soft Corns
Soft corns are found between the toes, most commonly between the 4th and 5th toes. They are caused by the adjacent toe bones rubbing against each other. They are "soft" because of the dampness between the toes which keeps them moist. They can become infected. They often look white and rubbery. Sometimes athletes foot (a fungal infection) is also found in the area of the soft corn.

Callus
A callus is a larger area of hard dead skin but has no central core like a corn. It is normally less well defined than a corn. Calluses are caused by rubbing, friction and/or pressure from shoes and the ground surface. Calluses are commonly found on the sole of the foot over the metatarsal bones. Calluses might not cause any discomfort but with time or increasing thickness and size can cause a painful burning sensation on the sole of the feet.

What causes corns and calluses
  • Tight shoes and socks
  • Seams in inappropriate places
  • Deformed and crooked toes (for example a hammer or claw toe which rubs on the top of a shoe)
  • Deformed feet (for example a bunion and the bony prominences which rubs on the side or top of the shoe)
  • Biomechanical /overloading in certain areas on the feet (can cause pressure in an isolated place on the plantar surface (bottom) of the foot)
  • Dry skin
  • Age - older skin is less elastic and much more likely to get damaged


Shoes and footwear
Shoes should be the correct size, not too small or too large.

Shoes should have plenty of room in the toe box area for the toes, particularly if you have hammer or claw toes, have soft uppers, low heels and plenty of support on the medial (inner) side of the shoe.

Carefully avoid shoes that have stitching in inappropriate places for you.

A slightly flared out heel offers much greater stability than a heel that flares in.

See the shoes I recommend.

Treatment from :
Chiropodist or Podiatrist

Paring Corns and Calluses
A chiropodist or podiatrist will carefully pare (cut) the dead skin away with a scalpel blade. Regular treatment is often needed to control the build up of hard skin.

Footwear and Orthotics
A chiropodist or podiatrist can advise on correct footwear, padding and orthotics (insoles or arch supports to correct walking and biomechanical problems) to try and prevent the build up of corns and calluses. See the shoes I recommend. See the ready made orthotics and Superfeet Insoles I recommend.

Padding
A chiropodist or podiatrist can advise on padding to deflect pressure away from area.

Self Treatment

Medicated Corn Pads - contain salicylic acid
Strong chemicals can significantly harm the skin and may cause complete skin breakdown.

Use extreme caution. Be aware that people can be different ages and have different medical histories. At one end of the scale you might be young and fit and have very healthy skin. However at the other end of the scale you might be elderly, have extremely thin skin and be suffering from poor circulation. It might just about be OK for the young and fit person to use salicylic acid on a corn or callus but downright irresponsible and dangerous to self treat with salicylic acid if you are in the "elderly" category. The majority of people should NOT self treat.

Diabetics and people with poor circulation should never self treat corns and calluses. If you have diabetes or poor circulation you should always get treatment from a registered chiropodist or podiatrist.

Padding
2mm chiropody felt is an excellent padding material. On the tip of your toes I recommend products like Profoot Gel Toe Protectors. Between your toes I recommend Scholl Gel Toe Separators or Scholl Gel Toe Spreaders

File Rough Skin
Smooth away rough areas of skin. I recommend this professional foot file. Also the Heel Smoother Pro is great for rough heels.

Foot cream
Foot cream to lubricate areas. I recommend CCS Professional Foot Care Cream which is an excellent foot cream. If you have extremely dry skin on your heels you should use CCS Heel Balm for 7 days and then return to the regular CCS Foot Care Cream.

Corn cutting knives and blades
Never self treat with these. It is so easy to go just a little bit too far and cause damage to the skin.

How can I stop corns and calluses developing?

Wear shoes that fit correctly and are appropriate to the activity you are doing.

Wash feet regularly

Apply CCS Professional Foot Care Cream to lubricate areas

Wear orthotics (insoles to change the way you walk) if you need them. See Orthaheel, Vasyli and Superfeet insoles.

 

   
Contact Sue Ferguson
Podiatrist
Book an appointment now to help your foot pain
Tel: 01580 765546
CCS Foot Cream
CCS Foot Care Cream for hard and rough skin
CCS Foot Care Cream
175 ml

For hard and rough skin on the feet. Apply every day within 10 minutes of bathing or showering to help keep your feet soft and smooth. Very effective for cracked heels.

CCS Heel Balm
CCS Heel Balm for Cracked Heels
CCS Heel Balm

For severe rough and dry skin, and cracked heels. Use for 7 days and then go back to CCS Foot Cream. The heel balm helps repair and relieve the discomfort from cracked heels

Heel Smoother Pro

Heel Smoother

Removes hard skin. For home use. Far superior to pumice stones and foot files. Read the excellent reviews from people who have already purchased this product

Foot File

Foot file to smooth your hard skin - highly recommended

Chiropody Felt
Chiropodists Felt 2mm
Chiropodists Felt 2mm

100% semi compressed pure wool felt 2mm thick. Cut and shape this felt and apply to stop pressure on the skin.

 


Sue Ferguson, BSc (Hons), MRCPod
Podiatrist in Tenterden, Kent
2 St Benets Court
Tenterden
Kent
TN30 6QS
United Kingdom
Email: sjf.ferguson@gmail.com
Tel: 01580 765546