Calluses and corns can come in a variety of shapes and sizes. At best, these skin irritants can be mildly annoying. At worst, they can become quite painful and debilitating. It is well worth learning about the various causes of these conditions. Furthermore, you will want to keep in mind that there are a number of ways in which you can treat these things.
It can also be a good idea to know how to look out for some of the symptoms.
What Causes Calluses And Corns
Corns and calluses are annoying, painful thickenings of the skin. As you can imagine, this can be realized in a variety of forms. Ultimately, either or both of these things can be formed through significant pressure. Again, as you can imagine, there are a variety of ways in which this pressure can be created.
Excessive pressure can cause these things. The same can be said for rubbing. Too much rubbing along the skin can eventually create a corn and/or callus. Friction can create a variety of problems in this arena. One of the most common causes behind calluses and corns would have to be wearing poor-fitting shoes. The small bones in your toes/feet are broader and lumpier near to the small joints of your toes. When the skin that overlays a smallish area of rough bone becomes irritated through constant friction, these things can begin to appear. Failure to deal with them can cause the condition to worsen with time.
Symptoms Of Calluses And Corns
If you have thick, hard patches of skin, then there’s a good chance that you have a callus or a corn. However, there are additional symptoms that you are going to want to look for. In the first place, you will want to be on the lookout for bumps on the skin. Areas in which flaky, dry skin is prominent is another red flag for these conditions. Finally, if you experience pain or tenderness in the area in question, then there is an excellent chance that you are dealing with corns and calluses. This is particularly true, if you are experiencing all of these symptoms.
Furthermore, if you are someone who consistently deals with bunions, then it is likely that you are also a person who deals frequently with calluses and/or corns.
While this pressure can come from a range of courses, including ill-fitting shoes, there are thankfully several different possibilities that can be explored towards treatment.
How To Treat Calluses And Corns
In terms of a callus or corn, there are several different methods/options for treatment. In relatively minor cases, you can likely treat the condition on your own. There are several creams and additional treatments that are available over the counter. You will want to look for products that contain salicylic acid. This is the ingredient most often found in the products that are designed to help you to remove these things.
The idea is to look for products that are going to allow you to pare down the skin that has become thickened and painful. You can also accomplish a great deal by soaking your feet in warm water for twenty minutes. Afterwards, you will want to apply a pumice or similar product to the impacted area.
In many cases, you will need to have your calluses and/or corns looked over by a foot doctor. A podiatrist can utilize a scalpel blade to physically work at paring down the skin. This can help to ease the pressure on the underlying areas. This option sometimes requires multiple sessions to be effective. It is also possible that this option can be used in conjunction with the treatments that have already been mentioned so far.
Once the treatment has been completed, it is difficult for a callus or corn to reappear in that specific area. At the same time, you are going to want to take steps to minimize the potential for these things to appear again in the future. To begin with, you will want to consider making some changes to your footwear. This can prove to be a significant cause to calluses and/or corns, as we mentioned earlier in this article.
Cushioning pads and shoe insoles are two more possibilities that your doctor may discuss with you. Special sleeves can be wrapped around your toe, if one of these skin problems appear in the spaces between your toes. There are additional possibilities and appliances that you can check out. You are going to want to talk over all of these things with your doctor. In certain extreme cases, the possibility of surgery can be explored. Deformed toes can sometimes become problematic, and there is sometimes a need to cut out the bone that is sticking out.
This condition is worth dealing with in a proactive fashion. This isn’t something that you want to deal with chronically.
