Corns on Foot

Known in the scientific community as ‘helomas,’ foot corns are actually thick skin areas that develop because of too much friction and pressure.

Corns on feet are formed when your skin tries to protect the structures under it from injury or damage. They usually become painful, however, especially when exposed to excessive friction.

 

Types of foot corn

Hard corns (also called heloma durums) are very common, as they result from wearing ill-fitting shoes and sometimes, from inborn toe deformities. Hard corns usually form on the tip of the toe and on the sides of the foot.

Soft corns (also called heloma molles or ‘kissing corns’) on the other hand, usually stem from toe bone abnormalities. They usually form between the toes. Soft corns can also stem from wearing high-heeled shoes that have narrowing toe boxes. Such shoe styles move the weight of the body to the front of the foot, giving it extreme pressure.

 

What are the symptoms of foot corns?

Patients suffering from corns and calluses develop horny, thickened skin usually on the toes. The Corns on toe are usually shaped like cones and seem to point down into the foot’s skin. Hard corns usually form either on the outer parts of the little toes or on the upper parts of the other toes. Soft corns, on the other hand, usually form between the toes, which are moist (this keeping them the corns soft).

 

What causes corn on feet?

Corns on toe are mainly caused by excessive pressure and friction, caused by either wearing shoes that are too tight or by deformities or abnormalities. Pressure and friction together stimulate the skin of the feet to thicken (in order to protect itself), but when the pressure and friction do not let up, the corns becomes very sore.

 

How to diagnose?

Most doctors require only physical examination to diagnose corns on toe. Several other procedures may be carried out to determine the cause of the corns. . In some acute cases, the doctor may ask the patient to undergo an x-ray, which can reveal abnormalities in the structure of the foot. In some cases, the skin cells are removed for biopsy.

 

What treatments are available for foot corns?

Feet corns can usually be self-treated using corn paints and plasters. Remember, however, that such medications only cure the corns and do not address their cause. That is why experts recommend that patients consult a doctor.

Foot corms are not always as simple as they seem – in fact, they may be serious symptoms of other underlying health problems. Also keep in mind that self-medication may be dangerous especially to people with diabetes and people with very sensitive skin.

Corn plasters, for example, can cause foot ulcers on patients with poor blood circulation. Such ulcers, when infected, can become infected. In the worse cases, amputation of the infected area may be required.

Some patients who constantly develop feet corns may be advised to use special orthotics that help redistribute and transfer pressure on the foot. A good orthotic can take weight and pressure off the affected areas until they heal. Women with corns on feet are advised to avoid wearing high heels throughout their recovery.