When walking or standing for long periods of time, certain areas of the skin on the feet thicken to help withstand pressure. These areas of thickness are either corns or calluses that work as a protective measure when the skin rubs on the bone, shoe or the ground. Calluses are larger, more irregularly shaped areas of hardened skin on the foot that usually indicate an issue such as a bone deformity, poor walking style, or poor footwear. Corns are much smaller and have a central core. There are five main types of corns that can develop on the feet. Hard corns are concentrated to the size of a pea, and soft corns develop similarly and usually appear when the skin is moist from sweat or in between the toes. A seed corn is very tiny and can occur by itself or as a cluster. Vascular corns contain nerve fibers and blood vessels and are very painful. Fibrous corns attach to deeper tissues and tend to last a long time on the foot. If you have a corn or callus that is irritating your foot, consulting with a podiatrist is suggested.
Corns can make walking very painful and should be treated immediately. If you have questions regarding your feet and ankles, contact Dr. Richard DiMario of Maine. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.
Corns: What Are They? And How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns are thickened areas on the skin that can become painful. They are caused by excessive pressure and friction on the skin. Corns press into the deeper layers of the skin and are usually round in shape.
Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as:
Treating Corns
Although most corns slowly disappear when the friction or pressure stops, this isn’t always the case. Consult with your podiatrist to determine the best treatment option for your case of corns.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in York, ME . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Richard DiMario, DPM - Default