Corns

What is Corns?

Corns are small circles of hard, thickened skin that usually develop on the tops and sides of toes or on the sole of the foot, when the skin is exposed to excessive pressure or friction. However, they can occur anywhere.

What are the symptoms of Corns?

A hardened, raised bump
Tenderness or pain under your skin
Flaky, dry or waxy skin

What are the causes of Corns ?

Corns are often caused by:

wearing shoes that fit poorly – shoes that are too loose can allow your foot to slide and rub
certain shoe designs that place excessive pressure on an area of the foot – for example, high-heeled shoes can squeeze the toes

Corns often occur on bony feet as there's a lack of natural cushioning. They can also develop as a symptom of another foot problem, such as:

a bunion - where the joint of the big toe sticks outwards as the big toe begins to point towards the other toes on the same foot
>hammer toe - where the toe is bent at the middle joint

.How is Corns treated?

If you have a corn on your foot, you should see a podiatrist, also known as a chiropodist, who can advise you about treatment. Corns on feet won't get better unless the cause of the pressure is removed. If the cause isn't removed, the skin could become thicker and more painful over time.

A corn is a symptom of an underlying problem. You should only treat it yourself if you know the cause and you've spoken to a specialist about the best way to manage it. Over-the-counter treatments for corns, such as corn plasters, are available from pharmacists. However, they don't treat the cause of the corn and may affect the normal, thinner skin surrounding the corn.

Corn plasters may not be suitable for certain people, such as those with diabetes, circulation problems, or fragile skin.

Disclaimer