Corns And Calluses

Corns and calluses are areas of thickened skin. Your body makes these tough spots as a way of protecting itself from rubbing or pressure. They commonly show up on the soles of your feet, your toes, or the palms of your hands and fingers. Usually, if you're healthy, you don't need to worry about corns and calluses unless they hurt or you find them unattractive. In most cases, simply figuring out what's causing the rubbing or pressure and removing it is all that's needed to get rid of them.

Corns and calluses are common skin problems on the feet, hands, and other areas. They're thick, hardened areas of skin. Here's how to tell them apart and what to do if you have them.

Signs of Corns and Calluses:

Both corns and calluses show up as thick, rough patches of skin. They might feel hard and raised, and sometimes there's tenderness or pain beneath the surface. The skin might look flaky, dry, or even waxy.

Key Differences:

• Corns: These are usually smaller and deeper than calluses. A corn has a hard center surrounded by inflamed, swollen skin. They are often painful when touched. Hard corns frequently form on the top of toes, particularly the big toe or on the outer edge of a small toe. Soft corns, on the other hand, tend to develop between the toes, where the skin is softer and more prone to friction.

• Calluses: Calluses are usually larger than corns and are less likely to be painful. They form on areas of the body that get a lot of pressure, like the heels, the balls of the feet, the palms of the hands, and even the knees. They're not usually painful but can be uncomfortable if they get too thick. Calluses can vary in shape and size.

When to See a Doctor:

If a corn or callus becomes very painful, inflamed, or infected, you should see a doctor. This is especially important if:

• You have diabetes: People with diabetes have a higher risk of foot problems, and even a small injury can become a serious infection.

• You have poor blood flow: Poor blood flow to your feet can slow down healing and increase the risk of infections.

• The area is very painful: If the corn or callus is causing significant pain, it's best to seek medical attention.

Important Note: Don't try to treat corns or calluses yourself if you have diabetes or poor blood flow. A small injury can quickly become a serious problem. Always consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.

If a hard spot on your foot (a corn or callus) becomes really sore or red and swollen, it's important to see a doctor. This is especially true if you have diabetes or circulation problems. Even a small injury on your foot can easily turn into a serious, infected open sore (called an ulcer) in people with these conditions. So, if you're unsure, it's always best to get professional medical help.

Corns and calluses are rough, hardened areas on your skin. They happen because of repeated rubbing and pressure. This rubbing can come from many sources.

Foot Problems: Tight shoes, especially high heels, can squeeze your feet, putting pressure on certain areas. Loose shoes can also cause problems, as your foot rubs against the inside of the shoe. This rubbing can happen against seams, stitches, or even just the inside of the shoe. Similarly, socks that don't fit properly can create friction. Walking around barefoot or without socks in shoes or sandals also increases friction against your feet.

Hand Problems: Using tools or instruments repeatedly can also cause calluses on your hands. This is because the repeated pressure from activities like playing instruments, using hand tools, or even holding a pen for long periods can harden the skin in those areas.

Genetics: Some types of corns, especially those that form on parts of the body that aren't usually bearing weight, like the soles of the feet or the palms of your hands, might be linked to your genes. This type is sometimes called keratosis punctata. This means that a tendency to develop these corns might run in your family.

Corns and calluses can develop for several reasons. One common cause is wearing shoes that rub or squeeze your feet. This extra pressure and friction can irritate the skin, leading to the formation of these hard, thickened areas.

Another factor is any condition that puts extra pressure on your feet. For example, problems like hammertoe (where the toe bends) or hallux valgus (a sideways bend in the big toe that creates a bump, sometimes called a bunion) can increase pressure and friction, making you more prone to corns and calluses.

Finally, some people might be more likely to get corns due to their genetics. Certain types of corns, like those that form on areas not usually bearing weight, such as the soles of the feet or palms of the hands, might be influenced by inherited traits. This type is sometimes called keratosis punctata.

People with diabetes or conditions that reduce blood flow to their feet are more likely to have problems with corns and calluses. This is because poor blood flow can make these areas of the foot heal more slowly and be more susceptible to infection. If you have diabetes or circulatory issues, it's especially important to take care of your feet and get any foot problems checked by a doctor right away.

To avoid corns and calluses, try these simple steps:

Protect the affected areas: If your skin is rubbing against your shoes, cover the spots with felt pads, special corn pads (without medicine), or bandages. You can also use toe separators or small pieces of lamb's wool to prevent rubbing between your toes.

Protect your hands: When using hand tools, wear padded gloves. Alternatively, wrap cloth tape or protective covers around the handles of your tools to prevent friction and irritation.

Your doctor can usually tell if you have a corn or callus just by looking at your feet. This check-up helps them figure out if the thick skin is something else, like a wart or a cyst. Sometimes, to be sure, your doctor might gently scrape off a small bit of the hard skin. If this scraping causes bleeding or shows tiny black dots (dried blood), it's likely a wart, not a corn.