Description

Corns and calluses are thick, hardened layers of skin that develop when the skin tries to protect itself against friction or pressure. They often form on the feet and toes or hands and fingers.

If you're healthy, you do not need treatment for corns and calluses, unless they cause pain or you don't like how they look. For most people, simply eliminating the source of friction or pressure makes corns and calluses disappear.

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of corns and calluses, are:

  • A thick, rough area of skin
  • A hardened, raised bump
  • Tenderness or pain under your skin
  • Scaly, dry, or oily skin

Corns and calluses are not the same thing.

  • Corns are smaller and deeper than calluses and have a hard center surrounded by inflamed skin. They can be painful when pressed. Hard calluses often form at the top of the toes of the foot or the outer edge of the little finger. Soft corns are formed between the toes.
  • Calluses are rarely painful and tend to develop in areas of pressure, such as the heels, the balls of the feet, the palms of the hands and knees. They can vary in size and shape and are often larger than corns.

When to see a doctor

If a corn or callus becomes very painful or inflamed, see your health care provider. If you have diabetes or poor circulation of the blood, seek medical attention before you self-treat a corn or callus. This is important because even a minor injury to your foot can lead to an infected open sore (ulcer).

Causes

Corns and calluses are caused by friction and the pressure of the repetition of the actions. Some sources of this friction and pressure are:

  • Wearing poorly fitting shoes and socks. Tight shoes and high heels can squeeze areas of the feet. If your shoes are loose, the foot may be repeatedly slide and the friction with the shoe. The foot may also rub against the seam or stitch inside the shoe. Socks that don't fit right can also be a problem.
  • Skipping the socks. The use of shoes, and sandals without socks can cause friction on the feet.
  • Playing instruments or the use of hand tools. Calluses on the hands can be the result of repeated pressure from activities such as playing instruments and the use of hand tools or even a pencil.
  • Inherit a tendency to develop calluses. The type of corn that is formed in the non-weight-bearing areas, such as the soles of the feet and palms of the hands (keratosis punctata), it could be caused by genetics.

Risk factors

Risk factors for corns and calluses are:

  • The use of shoes to increase the pressure or friction on the foot.
  • Have a condition that increases the pressure or friction on the foot. The examples are of hammer toe and hallux valgus, which causes a bunion-like lump at the base of the big toe.
  • Inherit a tendency to develop calluses. The type of corn that is formed in the non-weight-bearing areas, such as the soles of the feet and palms of the hands (keratosis punctata), it could be caused by genetics.

Complications

If you have diabetes or another condition that causes poor blood flow to your feet, you are at greater risk of complications from corns and calluses.

Prevention

These approaches can help prevent corns and calluses:

  • Wear shoes that give the toes plenty of space. If you cannot move the fingers of the feet, their shoes are too tight. Have a shop of shoes stretch their shoes at any point that rubs or pinches. Shop for shoes when your feet are more swollen, usually at the end of the day. If the use of orthotics and inserts, make sure you have at the same time to fit your shoes to the store.
  • The use of protective covers. The wear of the pads of felt, or nonmedicated corn pads or bandages on the areas that rub against your shoe. You can also try toe separators, or some of lamb's wool between the toes of the feet.
  • Use padded gloves when the use of hand tools. Or try filling your tool handles with ribbon or fabric covers.

Diagnosis

Your health care provider will likely diagnose corns and calluses on the foot exam. This test helps to rule out other causes of thickening of the skin, such as warts and cysts. Your health care provider can confirm the diagnosis by paring away a bit of hard skin. If it bleeds or reveals the black dots (dried blood), it is a wart, but not corn.

Treatment

Treatment for corns and calluses is the same. This involves avoiding the repetitive actions that caused them to form. The use of shoes that fit and the use of protective pads can help.

If a corn or callus persists or becomes painful in spite of your self-care efforts, medical treatments can provide relief for:

  • Trim the excess skin. Your health care provider can trim thickening of the skin or trim a large corn with a scalpel. This can be done during an office visit. Do not try this because it could lead to an infection.
  • Patches medicados.Su health care provider may also apply a patch that contains 40% salicylic acid (clean, MediPlast, other). These patches are sold without medical prescription. Your health care provider will let you know how often you need to replace this patch. Treat thinning of the thickened skin with a pumice stone, emery board or nail file before applying a new patch. If you need to treat a larger area, try over-the-counter salicylic acid gel (Compound W, Keralyt) or liquid (Compound W, Duofilm) form.
  • Of the shoe. If you have an underlying foot deformity, your health care provider may prescribe custom cushioned shoe (orthotics) to prevent recurring corns or calluses.
  • Surgery. Your doctor may suggest surgery to correct the alignment of the bone causing friction. This type of surgery can be done without an overnight stay in the hospital.

The medicated patches. Your health care provider may also apply a patch that contains 40% salicylic acid (clean, MediPlast, other). These patches are sold without medical prescription. Your health care provider will let you know how often you need to replace this patch. Treat thinning of the thickened skin with a pumice stone, emery board or nail file before applying a new patch.

If you need to treat a larger area, try over-the-counter salicylic acid gel (Compound W, Keralyt) or liquid (Compound W, Duofilm) form.

Lifestyle and home remedies

If you have diabetes or another condition that causes poor blood circulation, consult your health care provider before you treat a corn or callus on your own.

If you don't have underlying health problems, try these tips to help clarify a corn or callus:

  • Soak your hands or feet. Soak the callus in warm, soapy water softens. This can make it easier to remove the thickened skin.
  • Slim thickening of the skin. Once you have softened the affected skin, rub the corn or callus with a pumice stone, nail file, emery board or a washcloth. This helps to remove the layer of hardened skin. Do not use a sharp object to cut the skin. Do not use a pumice stone if you have diabetes.
  • The use of corn pads. Apply a donut-shaped foam pad to protect the area where corn or callus is formed. Be careful to use non-prescription liquid corn remover or medicated corn pads. These contain salicylic acid, which can irritate healthy skin and lead to infection, especially in people with diabetes or other conditions that cause poor circulation of the blood. You can protect the health of the skin by the application of petroleum Jelly to the area around the callus or callus before using a medicated pad.
  • Moisturize the skin. The use of the moisturizer on the hands and feet regularly.
  • Wear comfortable shoes and socks. Get on well with cushioned fit shoes and socks, at least until the corn or callus disappears.
Symptoms and treatment of corns and calluses