Corns

What is it and what are the symptoms?

A corn is an area of hard, thickened skin that develops when the skin is exposed to excessive pressure or friction. Corns often can cause pain and discomfort when walking.

The hard skin presents itself as an inverted small circle of thick skin or a ‘cone’. This ‘cone’ pushes into the skin and causes pain and discomfort.

There are various types of corn:

• Hard corns (heloma durum): These are often found on the soles of the feet or on the tips and front of the toes.
• Soft corns (helomamolle): These are often found between the toes.
• Seed corns (helomamillaire): These are smaller and found on the soles of the feet.

What causes a corn?

• Wearing badly fitting shoes such as high heels, uncomfortable shoes or shoes that are the wrong size.
• Not wearing socks with shoes.
• Spending a lot of time standing during the day. 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 (a bony swelling at the base of the big toe) or Hammer Toe (where the toe is bent at the middle joint), both causing increased pressure.

Diagnosis

Sheridan Foot Health will diagnosis a corn after conducting a physical examination of your feet.

What is the treatment?

Sheridan Foot Health will undertake a full foot health assessment and a treatment plan will be devised to suit your individual needs and requirements.

The affected areas will be pared with a scalpel to remove thickened skin. The ‘cone’, which is causing the pain, is also removed. The area will then be filed smooth. This is included during a Foot Health Treatment at Sheridan Foot Health. Orthotics may be recommended to reduce and relieve any pressure to the affected areas.

If you have diabetes, heart disease or problems with your circulation, do not try to treat the corn yourself. These conditions can make foot problems more serious.

Contact the team on 02392 388149 or 07795 522700 for a consultation and treatment.

It is important to remember that corns on the feet will not get better unless the cause of the pressure/ friction is removed.