As you age, your feet often develop thickened areas of skin, sometimes referred to as corns or calluses. These areas can become uncomfortable and interfere with wearing shoes comfortably. There are a variety of ways to cope with them, but first, the best foot doctor in NYC can explain what they are and why they are such a problem.
What Are Corns?
Corns are toughened, thickened layers of skin formed as a reaction to recurring pressure and friction on the area. They usually develop on the hands and feet. Calluses are more significant, tougher versions of corns. Smaller corns that don’t cause pain or interfere with wearing shoes, walking, or routine activities may not require any treatment. If a corn is causing discomfort, it may need to be removed. We do Queens and Brooklyn corn removal and in-office Manhattan corn removal with virtually no healing time.
Symptoms of corns on the feet include:
- Rough, thickened, skin, often in an irregular circle
- A raised bump, usually on the toe or the side of the foot or sometimes between your toes
- Tenderness or pain in the raised area that may feel like a kernel is under the skin
- Dry, waxy, flaky skin in the area of the corn
- Corns are sometimes painful when pressed
When Should You See a New York City Corn Removal Specialist?
Sometimes, wearing an over-the-counter corn pad to cushion the area may be all that is needed. Over time, the corn may fade away if this relieves the pressure. Some people will try to shave away a corn or callus with a razor blade. But this should never be done at home! This is dangerous for several reasons. One runs the risk of injuring surrounding tissue, infection, removing too much of the area, excessive bleeding, and more. Our Brooklyn and New York City corn removal podiatrists can do the outpatient procedure and have you back home within a few hours without the risks. For your convenience, we also offer bunion surgery in Manhattan and other valuable services.
If you have any medical conditions that restrict blood flow to your feet, including diabetes or varicose veins, you should consult with a podiatrist if you have corns. Pre-existing conditions should always be discussed with your doctor and podiatrist before having corn removal procedures done. This is particularly true if you have any blood clotting disorder.
What to Expect From Our Manhattan and Queens Corn Removal Podiatrists
All of our New York City area corn removal specialists, including Dr. E, are experienced in removing corns and calluses that run the gamut from mildly painful to severe. We can remove any corn or callus during an office visit to one of our NYC, Queens, Brooklyn, or Manhattan offices. We may carefully shave off the layers of the corn using a scalpel in a relatively simple procedure.
If the problem is more advanced, one of our foot surgeons may also remove some of the bone, inflamed tissue, or bursa beneath the corn as part of the surgery. The surgery will be done under local anesthesia using properly sterilized instruments in a sterile environment. This reduces the risk of complications or infection and helps to minimize your discomfort.
Corn Toes Deformities Treatment in Brooklyn
Recovering From Corn Removal
As with any surgical procedure, corn removal requires rest and recovery at home to ensure proper healing. After the local anesthesia used in the office has worn off, you will feel some aching or burning in the corn removal area. You should keep your foot elevated above your heart for 24 to 48 hours, according to the instructions provided by your surgeon. You will be sent home with a prescription for pain medication that a family member or friend can fill for you.
Dr. E will advise you not to put any weight on your foot for the first few days. And, you will have either bandages or some kind of boot or modified shoe over the area to protect it. Make sure to keep it covered with plastic when you shower to make sure the dressings stay dry. You will want to keep the area dry until the incisions are healed, and any stitches are removed. Also, you should periodically use ice packs to reduce swelling and pain in the area for the first few weeks.
You will need to wear modified orthopedic shoes for the first three to four weeks after corn removal. Our Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and New York City corn removal surgeons can advise you on the proper footwear to wear as your foot heals. For at least the first few months, you will also want to stick with roomy, flat shoes, avoiding heels and pointed-toe shoes. Our podiatrists can also help you choose appropriate shoes to wear in the future so that you won’t develop painful corns. Contact us today!