Corn & Calluse Treatment

(Information below are courtesy of the Pedorthic Association of Canada)

Skin conditions affecting the feet can include:

Corns


Corns are cone-shaped thickenings of the skin that develop due to friction/shearing and pressure. Primary causes are tight-fitting shoes, high heeled shoes or abnormal foot motion during walking.

There are two types of corns:


Hard corns: have a nucleus (cone shaped centre or root) whose tip or point can penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin. Hard corns are most often found on the baby toe or on top of toes.

Symptoms:

Pain is usually directly associated with pressure from footwear or from the walking surface
Pain can be relieved by removing footwear

 

Soft corns: usually seen as areas of white moist skin between the toes. Develop as a result of a bony bump (most often between the 4th and 5th toes) pressing against an adjacent toe.

 

Symptoms:

May not be painful at first but may develop into open sores that are very painful
May initially look like athlete’s foot

 

Calluses


Calluses are areas of localized thickening of skin which develop in response to repeated friction and pressure.

Symptoms:

Pain due to patches of thick, hard skin over an area of high pressure under the foot
Most often seen on the ball and heel of the foot

 

Pedorthic treatment may include:

 

Foot and lower limb exam
Custom-made foot orthotic or over-the-counter device
Modification of footwear
Recommendation of appropriate and proper fitting-footwear
Toe spacers or padding

If you are experiencing foot pain or discomfort, you should talk to your doctor or book an appointment with a Canadian Certified Pedorthist for pedorthic management including orthopaedic footwear, shoe selection guidance and orthotics.