Corns & Callus

WHAT IS A CALLUS AND CORN?
A callus is an accumulation of dead skin cells that harden and thicken over an area of the foot. They are commonly found on the soles of the feet, the heel and on the toes. Calluses form to protect the foot against excessive pressure and friction. This hard skin then feels painful to walk on, often giving a burning sensation.

Corns are smaller than calluses and have a hard core or center, which is usually surrounded by callus and on times by inflamed skin. This core forms into a cone-shaped point causing pain.
Corns tend to develop on parts of your feet that don't weight bear, such as the tops and sides of your toes and in between your toes. Although they can also occur on weight bearing areas.
Many patients report the symptoms of corns as if they are walking on pebbles or a sharp stone.

THE CAUSE
Calluses and Corns develop due to excessive pressure at a specific area of the foot. Where the pressure is greatest, often over a joint on the toe or under the foot, the skin becomes incredibly hard, thus forming a callus.
Some common causes are high heeled dress shoes, shoes that are ill fitting, biomechanical abnormalities, bony prominences, also the loss of the fat pad on the bottom of the feet, toe deformities such as claw/hammer toes and poor foot function such as high arched or flat feet.

TREATMENT
I will assess your foot and identify the site of any corn and /or callus and remove it. A treatment plan aimed at the maintenance of the corn and callus will be implemented. I will also identify the underlying cause of the formation of such. Future treatment will include advice on the best management of the identified cause. Typically this can include regular appointments, at home maintenance, improved footwear, applications to deflect pressure, padding or orthoses.