If you acquire a painful corn or callus, seek professional counsel from someone trained to diagnose and treat foot issues (a podiatrist – previously called a chiropodist). Corns should not be sliced by hand, especially if you are elderly or have diabetes.
Corn plasters, for example, will relieve the strain on your corn but will not treat it.
Treatment options for corns and calluses include the following:
Trimming (paring down)
A podiatrist can use a scalpel blade to remove the thicker skin of a corn or callus. The pain is usually significantly decreased as the corn or callus is removed and the strain on the underlying tissues is relieved. Trimming sessions must sometimes be repeated or scheduled regularly. If you wear proper footwear, a corn or callus may not recur once it has been removed.
If the skin appears to be thickening again, a recurrence can be avoided by wiping it down with a pumice stone or emery paper once a week. Many people are capable of doing this on their own. Before using a pumice stone or emery paper, bathe your foot in warm water for 20 minutes to soften the thick skin. A moisturising cream applied on a clipped corn or callus daily will maintain the skin supple and easy to rub down.
Treatment with chemicals
Various medicated medicines are available that act by chemically removing the thicker, dead skin on corns and calluses. These are typically made with salicylic acid, also included in many wart removal solutions.
Salicylic acid is keratolytic, which means it dissolves the protein (keratin) that makes up the majority of the corn and the thick layer of dead skin that generally covers it. Therefore, it is critical to use these items exactly as recommended on the packaging; these products are gentle and safe for most people. Salicylic acid treatments come in various forms, including drops, pads, and plasters.
These procedures will whiten the top layer of your skin, allowing you to trim or peel away the dead tissue. This causes the corn to stick out less, making it less uncomfortable.
These products, while effective, should not be used if you have diabetes or poor circulation. This is because your skin is less likely to heal properly after using salicylic acid, and an ulcer may form.
Shoes and boots
Most corns and calluses are thought to be caused by tight or ill-fitting shoes. A rough seam or stitching in a shoe can sometimes produce a corn. Wearing shoes that lessen pressure and rubbing on the toes and forefeet is the goal. Shoes should have lots of toe room, soft uppers, and low heels. High heels, especially too tight, can cause repetitive friction and aggravate corns and calluses. Furthermore, extra breadth is required if corns form on the outer edge of the little toe. Corns on the tops of atypical toes, such as ‘hammer’ or ‘claw’ toes, require extra height.
Correcting your footwear will reduce rubbing and repetitive friction on your skin. A corn or callus will often disappear if rubbing or pressure is relieved with better footwear. Wearing proper footwear will usually prevent a recurrence if you have had a corn or callus removed. Going barefoot when not outside will also assist if you are able.
Some people with foot or toe deformities require specific shoes to avoid friction. A podiatrist can help you with this.
Toe and foot protection
A cushioning pad or shoe insole may be beneficial depending on the location of the corn or callus. A soft shoe insert, for example, may cushion the skin and aid in healing a callus under the foot. A customised sleeve around your toe may help relieve the pressure if you have corn between your toes. A specific toe splint may also be useful in keeping your toes apart and allowing a corn between your toes to heal. A podiatrist can advise you on any necessary cushioning, insoles, or appliances.
Surgery
If everything else fails and you have a foot or toe deformity that is causing persistent issues, an operation may be recommended. An operation, for example, may be required to straighten a deformed toe or to remove a portion of a bone that is protruding from a toe and causing complications. If you require surgery, you will be referred to a surgeon who will be able to discuss this with you in greater detail.
