Do you have an issue with corn and calluses?
The main reason for both problems is irritation or friction.
Both of these are ways to protect your skin from injury. However, both of these issues cause hard and rough patches on the foot skin.
Many doctors recommend using sheepskin booties. But nowadays, these become unique conditions for people.
How do Calluses and Corns Differ?
Though people consider both of these terms the same. But these are different. So, let’s look at both terms in detail:
What is corn?
Corn is a small circle of tough skin. The cause of these circles is thick and deep cuts. These cuts may be at the top and bottom of the feet.
These can also be present on the sides of feet and toes. These cuts cause comfort with increased thickness. Moreover, when these get infected, patients feel pain.
What is a callus?
A callus is a hard, thick and flat cut. In many cases, callus is larger than corn and yellow. These cuts are less sensitive when touched.
How to avoid getting corn and calluses?
The best method to treat or prevent both of these issues is to wear proper and fit footwear. Never try to walk or run in shoes that are not comfortable for your feet.
These may cause friction, rubbing and irritation. In this case, you need to increase your water intake. As a result, you notice small or large cuts on the skin. These are corns and calluses.
The following are some other important ways that you can use to avoid such problems:
- Don’t walk barefoot
- Don’t over exceed your feet during activity
- Determine workload if you have a job to stand for a long time on your feet
Moreover, it is necessary for you to check your feet regularly. This way, you can notice if there is any appealing issue. Hopefully, the above-mentioned ways will make your feet healthy and problem free.
Finding relief for corns and calluses:
If you have corn, maybe a home treatment can help you. Take a corn plaster and wrap it around the corn. Plaster is a thick, rubber ring that also has an adhesive. So, it can stick to the surface of your feet and protect them from irritation. If you have a callus, you need to find callus pads. Both of these treatments are similar and work the same.
Suppose you want to remove this issue at home. It is good to soak your feet in warm water for almost 20 minutes. After that, use a pumice stone to rub the affected area properly. This way, you can remove dead skin from the feet.
When your home treatments fail, and you feel pain in your corn and callus. Then it is time to consult a doctor. He will treat you according to the severity of the issue. For diabetic patients, it is necessary to ask a doctor about wound care. This way, they can minimize the risk of harmful infection.
The following are some medical interventions for corn and callus:
- Recommend treatments
- Trimming away excess skin
- Surgically correcting structural issues in the foot causing friction
Each patient having any of these issues must go for custom orthotics. This can help to treat foot issues that become the cause of irritation.
Home treatment:
Some people try to treat corn and callus at home. For this, they use over-the-counter products. The following are some other ways that can address corn and callus:
Take warm water and soak your feet in it for almost 20 minutes. Then use a pumice stone to rub the affected area. Use the stone in a circular motion to remove dead skin.
Use any moisturizer, such as lotion, on the feet daily. It is good to use a moisturizer containing urea, ammonium lactate and salicylic acids. These moisturizers can soften the skin and prepare it for filling.
Always wear fit and comfortable socks and shoes. Besides, use protective pads and plasters. You can also go for many other self-care measures. It is good if you place silicone wedges between the toes. These can minimize pressure on the corn. Another way is to wear orthotics that can protect feet from structural injuries.
When to see a doctor?
When a patient is suffering more pain in corns and calluses. If he has issues with fragile skin or maybe he has diabetes. Then it is the right time to ask the doctor for help.
Then the doctor asks the patient about lifestyle and checks the issue. Suppose a doctor notices any symptoms of infection. Then he suggests using an antibiotic ointment. Suppose a doctor notices any underlying bone tissue. Then he suggests going for surgery or an X-ray.
Corn and callus removal:
Never try to eliminate corn and calluses without medical supervision. It is important if you are a diabetic patient or have any other issues. Suppose you treat this issue at home. It can cause serious complications such as ulcers, infections and more.
Consult a doctor to treat corn and callus. He can only treat this issue in a clinic using a small knife for lesion trimming. Remember that corn and callus may recover again. So, you need regular trimming.
Maybe your doctor recommends removal surgery. It is possible only if the cuts are in the bone of the patient.
Another way to remove corn and callus is to apply a patch with salicylic acid. It can soften the cuts, and they can easily be removed. You may also need to use a pumice stone at home for rubbing regularly. This way, you can prevent corn and callus from returning.
Conclusion:
Corns and calluses are the main issues in almost everyone. These are the type of cuts that appear on the skin when the skin tries to protect an underlying area from injury. Some people mix both of these terms, but they are different from each other.
These cuts are common in people who always wear unfit shoes. Moreover, the other cause of corn and callus is sweaty feet and standing for a long time. This issue is more common in women as compared to men. Besides, it is a common problem among African, American and Puerto Rican.
Though both of these conditions don’t harm you, sometimes, they cause irritation, infection and ulcer of the skin. These cause major harm to the feet of diabetic patients. Suppose you have the issue of poor circulation, fragile skin or any other disease. Then you must first ask your doctor before treating corn and callus!
