Corns can occur on various areas of the foot, but commonly affect the toes if they endure pressure from footwear. Toes that are bent or curved, can result in more pressure from shoes and walking around. A corn is a circular area of thickened skin known as hyperkeratosis. They can occur on the tips and tops of the toes. A corn on the tips or top of the toes is known as a hard corn or heloma durum, and they are often mistaken for warts, but certain features differentiate the two lesions.
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Symptoms
A corn can be quite painful when pressure is directly applied. This can make walking and activities of daily living challenging at times. A corn is round and varies in size. The area of thickened skin appears yellow or darkened and can be smooth or slightly rough in texture. If left untreated, the corn can begin to break down causing an opening in the skin. This can lead to a wound, infection and/or significant pain.
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Causes
Ill-fitting footwear that presses on toes or does not provide proper support may cause corns to occur. Shoes with narrow, shallow or pointed-toes will restrict natural movement of toes. Hammer toes and bunions may increase a person’s risk for developing these lesions as they tend to place more pressure and friction on particular areas. Wearing shoes without socks may result in more friction on toes. Some people have more of a genetic predisposition for these thickened areas of skin.
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Treatment
When a corn is painful or if the sight of it is undesirable, treatment is advised. A medical footcare clinician can assess the lesion and provide treatment by reducing the thickness. If there is a nucleus or core, it may need to be enucleated or removed. Treatment at home may include soaking, using a file or pumice stone, applying cream and making sure to wear socks inside footwear that fits properly. At BioPed, all staff are footwear fit certified and can help you find the right shoe fit!
