Millions of Americans develop corn on their feet, which are areas of thickened skin. These corns develop due to excessive rubbing or pressure on one’s skin and can result in foot difficulties, particularly when walking. Based on the underlying cause of your corn, they are either soft or hard. Soft corns typically occur between the middle toes, whereas hard corns develop on the tops of one’s toes. Although corns Sherman oaks do not always cause daunting concerns, they can sometimes induce significant food discomfort, and severe adverse effects if left untreated. Here are the treatment options to explore if your corn causes troubling concerns.
- Trimming (Paring Down)
Your podiatrist can use a scalpel blade to remove the thickened skin of your corn. The discomfort from the corn is significantly alleviated as the strain on the underlying tissues is relieved. Occasionally, regular or repeated trimming sessions are necessary. If you wear proper footwear, corn might not recur once removed.
If the skin appears to be thickening again, you can avoid a recurrence by rubbing it with an emery paper or pumice stone once every week. Numerous people can do this by themselves. Before using the emery paper or pumice stone, bathe your foot in warm water for about 20 minutes to relax the tough skin. A moisturizing cream applied on the trimmed corn daily will maintain the skin supple and easy to rub down.
- Chemical Treatment
Numerous medicated products chemically patch down the dead, thickened skin on your corns. These products have salicylic acid, a common ingredient in numerous wart-removal solutions.
The salicylic acid dissolves the keratin, a protein that accumulates to form the corn, and comes in various forms, including plasters, pads, or drops. However, before using these products, talk to your specialist, as the acid is inappropriate if you have poor circulation or diabetes.
- Footwear and Shoes
Ill-fitting shoes are the primary cause of corn. High heels, particularly if they are ill-fitting, can result in repeated friction that worsens corns. As such, you should wear shoes that alleviate rubbing and pressure on your forefoot and toes.
Shoes should have enough toe room, low heels, and soft uppers. Besides, extra width is necessary if the corns form on the outer side of your little toe. You should also consider additional height if your corns develop on the top side of unusual toes like ‘claw’ or ‘hammer’ toes.
- Toe Protection and Footpads
Based on the region affected by your corn, a shoe insole or cushioning pad can benefit. For instance, if you have a corn between the toes, a particular sleep worn around the toe can alleviate the pressure. A unique toe splint could help separate the toes and let the corn heal. Your podiatrist will advise you on the correct insoles, padding, or required appliances.
- Surgery
If you got a toe or foot anomaly causing repeated concerns, surgery could be necessary if conservative options fail. For instance, surgery could be necessary to align a deformed toe or eliminate the portion of bone protruding from the toe and generating issues.
The feet play a crucial role in carrying you wherever you go. When you stand or walk, your feet bear the weight of your body, as well as the different pressures of motion and restricting footwear. Once the pressure applied to your foot shifts out of balance, and excessive friction affects specific foot regions, you might develop corns. Corns are not typically bad, but if they cause discomfort, you should see a podiatrist. If not treated, the corn can develop an infection or additional foot concerns like ulcers. Therefore, if you notice any warning signs of foot corn, talk to your foot specialist for a comprehensive diagnosis and care plan.