If a corn or callus is painful, inhibiting your mobility, or interfering with your daily activities, you should consider seeing a podiatrist.
Corns and Calluses: Know the Difference
Corns and calluses are thick, hardened growths that develop to protect your skin from ongoing pressure, repeated friction, or repeated rubbing against your shoes. Both types of growths are layers of hard skin that build up on your feet and toes. Corns tend to be smaller, have a hard center, and usually form on non-weight-bearing areas, like the top or sides of your toes. Calluses, however, are usually harder, thicker patches of skin on the soles of the feet where there is more pressure and you put the most weight. They have an evenly thickened area of skin without distinct borders.
Both calluses and corns serve as a defense against foot irritation and develop on your feet for a variety of reasons, including the following:
- Wearing ill-fitting shoes and/or socks
- Wearing shoes without socks
- Wearing shoes that compress your foot, such as high heels
- Wearing shoes that allow your feet to slip around and rub against your shoes
For many people, a corn or callus is more of a nuisance than a serious problem. But if they start to crack, hurt, bleed, or interfere with your ability to move around, you should consider seeing the skilled podiatrist at Central Kansas Podiatry Associates, Dr. Benjamin Weaver. Here, he discusses corns and calluses and what to do if you have them.
Don’t Remove Corns and Calluses at Home
Sometimes, people are tempted to remove corns and calluses themselves. Using do-it-yourself methods, they may try to trim, cut, or shave them off with tools they find at home, including a razor blade.
Our podiatrist, Dr. Benjamin Weaver, believes it’s never a good idea to perform “bathroom surgery” on your feet, especially patients with other health issues, such as neuropathy or diabetes. Both of these conditions can make it more difficult for you to feel your feet, and if you attempt to cut or trim a corn or callus, you could remove too much of the thick skin and cause excessive bleeding that could lead to an infection.
Treating Your Corn or Callus at Home: Potential Complications
It may seem more convenient to trim your corn or callus at home; however, the DIY approach can lead to other medical problems, including the following:
- Cutting your corn or callus yourself may lead to an infection. Because you may not be able to properly sanitize the tool you’ve chosen or your hands, you may introduce bacteria into the open skin.
- If you trim too deeply and remove too much skin, you may cut into the healthy layers underneath. This may create a larger open wound or one that’s too deep, increasing the risk of infection.
- If your corn or callus is near a toenail, cutting too closely can increase the risk of developing an ingrown toenail. Ingrown nails are often painful and can easily become infected.
You don’t always need a podiatrist to remove a corn or callus, but over time, they can become problematic without proper treatment. It’s important to make a doctor’s appointment when one of these rough spots becomes painful and begins to interfere with your ability to walk or perform your daily activities.
When to See Dr. Weaver for Your Corns or Calluses
If you try to remove your corn or callus at home first, be aware of the following symptoms that are signs you need a podiatrist right away:
- The corn or callus becomes irritated and is extremely painful.
- The pain or position of the corn or callus affects your mobility, gait, and/or balance.
- Pus is seeping from the area
- There is significant bleeding from the area
- Over-the-counter treatments aren't helping.
- The corn or callus consistently returns.
Dr. Weaver can safely remove the buildup of dead skin and provide additional treatment to relieve pain and prevent recurrence. This is especially important for patients with diabetes or circulatory issues, as they're prone to dangerous complications from even minor foot injuries. Depending on your situation, Dr. Weaver may address your corns and calluses in the following ways:
- He’ll assess your overall foot health.
- He’ll thoroughly evaluate the corn or callus to rule out other skin conditions.
- He may apply medication to soften the corn or callus.
- He may carefully trim away the thick skin using a sterile instrument. For a corn, Dr. Weave may use a scalpel, taking it off in thin layers, without touching any of the healthy tissue beneath. He may also scoop out the center of the corn.
- He may recommend padding for the corn/callus, insoles, or custom orthotics to redistribute the pressure and weight on the foot.
- He may prescribe antibiotic ointment if there are signs of infection.
- He may suggest that you wear better-fitting shoes to reduce friction.
Central Kansas Podiatry Associates: We Provide Relief From Corns and Calluses
Don't let corns and calluses keep you from enjoying life and doing what you love. Talk to our trusted podiatry firm with locations across Central Kansas. We can provide treatment for your pain, and our compassionate team will help you put your best foot forward again. Read our testimonials to learn how we’ve helped other patients take steps toward more comfortable feet.