Corns & Calluses
Corns and calluses are hardened skin that develops due to gradual consistent loading pressure on the skin.
Calluses are thickened layers of skin, often under the soles of your feet, where friction repeatedly occurs. Corns are very similar to calluses; they are made of the keratin. Corns from when pressure from calluses is localised. A dense core of dead skin then forms in the centre of the callus.
Not sure if you have a corn? It may be a wart. See our ‘Corns Vs Plantar Warts – The Ultimate Guide‘.
Common Causes
Calluses can have causes that aren’t due to underlying disease. Examples include poorly fitting shoes, frequent use of tools or instruments, frequently walking barefoot or frequent friction to an area of skin.
There are four main types of corns encountered by podiatrists. These include:
- Hard Corns
- Soft Corns
- Seed Corns
- Neurovascular Corns
How Do We Treat Corns And Calluses
At Leading Edge Podiatry, we will treat these in two ways.
Firstly, the corn and/or callus is gently removed.
Secondly, your podiatrist will determine the cause of the corn/callus and then offer advice on preventing recurrence of the problem.
A bio-mechanical assessment will help to identify the cause, which will allow us to redistribute pressure on the foot with soft padding and strapping or deflective appliances that fit into your shoes (orthoses).
Your podiatrist may also discuss your footwear and how all these options can reduce excessive weight-bearing forces on the foot and provide long-term relief.
For help with corns & calluses, call us on 08 7120 6063 or book online with our experienced team at Leading Edge Podiatry.