What are Corns?

Excessive pressure and chafing cause thick, hard growths of the skin. Soft corns appear on the web between the toes and hard corns appear on the little toe. Corns, which appear on the toes, are thickenings of the skin of a core, whose apex points inward.

What are Calluses?

Weight bearing portions of the sole develop thickened pads of skin called calluses. Due to excessive pressure and friction they can also develop on the hands.

 

Symptoms of Corns and Calluses

1. Corns – Tough, thick, hardened patches of skin that appear between the toes, on top of the toes, which may or may not be tender and painful.

2. Calluses – Tough, hard and thickened areas of the skin that appear typically on the fingertips, palms and soles of the feet.

Causes of Corns and Calluses

• Corns – Soft corns are caused from the pressure of fourth and fifth toe rubbing against each other or by excessive moisture in the fourth toe web. A hard corn develops on the joint due to the pressure from ill-fitting shoes.

• Calluses – Pressure due to repetitive motion develops calluses on the hand. Ill-fitting shoes rub against the skin to form blisters, when these go untreated and due to prolonged rubbing dead skin builds up and causes skin to thicken..

Corns and Calluses: Home remedies

1. Use a bandage or light pad to protect the area. Moleskin can be stuck to the spot to relieve pressure.
2. Remedies containing salicylic acid can be used, but that can burn the surrounding healthy skin so they must be used cautiously.
3. Soak foot in warm water (both for corns and calluses) till hardened skin softens, then gently apply a pumice stone or callus file, do not however rub the area raw.

Preventing Corns and Calluses

1. Protect the hands from blisters and callus formation by wearing gloves.
2. Shoes should have accurate measurement. Width and cushion of the shoes should also be checked before purchase.
3. Shoes that have extended high heels put extreme pressure on the toes and lead to corn formation.