Among the foot problems that commonly affect people in New York City (NYC), corns and calluses are two of the most common ones that we treat and hear people’s concerns over. The good news is that corns and calluses are unlikely to be serious and generally do not require treatment besides prevention or removal of the source of the complaint.
If you are curious about the difference between corns and calluses and how to treat them, we hope that this article will help answer your questions. If you have further questions after reading this article or have other concerns about your foot health, please contact us to set up an appointment at Best Foot Doctor.
What Are Corns?
Corns are similar to calluses but have their own unique properties. Corns often appear on the toes and usually are a result of improperly-fitting shoes. They are generally small and round with a hard center and swollen surrounding skin. They are caused by repeated pressure and rubbing. While not serious by themselves, an untreated corn can cause ulcers or other more serious issues, especially in individuals who are dealing with diabetes or numbness in their feet. If this describes you and you find corns on your feet, it is wise to see your doctor or podiatrist for treatment as soon as possible before more serious issues occur.
What Are Calluses?
Calluses are different from corns because they are generally larger and do not have the hard center that corns do. Calluses generally appear on the bottom of the feet in commonly rubbed areas like the balls of the feet, heels, and outside toes. They can be large and if left untreated, calluses can develop thick layers of hard, dead skin and cracks. While these things are not medically severe on their own, cracks in the skin from calluses can lead to infections and other diseases entering the feet. If you have diabetes or other foot conditions that can be serious, contact your doctor or podiatrist if you find calluses developing on your feet.
How Are Corns and Calluses Treated?
Manhattan’s Best Podiatrist Explains
Treatment for corns and calluses is much the same. Removing the source of irritation (such as improperly-fitting shoes) is the best way to make sure corns and calluses go away and do not return. If you find yourself with recurring corns or stubborn thick calluses that do not go away, there are a few other things you can try.
- Pads for corns – these doughnut-shaped pads can be found at most drugstores and help protect the corn from rubbing on shoes. They can provide pain relief and allow the corn to heal naturally.
- Soaking and lotion for calluses – soaking your feet for 10-20 minutes in warm water can help soften calluses, allowing the dead skin to be scraped off with a pumice stone. Never cut the skin of your feet with a razor or other sharp blade, as this can lead to dangerous infections or other serious medical conditions. Use lotion to keep calluses soft and prevent them from returning.
- If a hammertoe is causing corns, fixing the hammertoe can help the corn and prevent it from recurring. If you have a hammertoe and corns have been bothering you, talk to your podiatrist for treatment of the hammertoe first.
- If corns are appearing on the bottom of your feet, it could be because you have a bone spur that is causing them. Removing the bone spur can help the corns go away and not return.
Find a Corns and Calluses Foot Doctor in Manhattan Or Near You | NYC
If you have a concern about foot corns or calluses, Best Foot Doctor is here to help. Our offices in Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan are open and ready to schedule new appointments. Give us a call today to schedule your appointment and get your questions answered.