Corns - Treatment and Prevention
Corns are a common cause of foot pain, affecting the toes and the soles of your feet. They're caused when the skin is continually exposed to pressure or friction. Here's how better general foot care and help from your podiatrist can help to relieve the pain of corns.
What causes corns?
Corns usually form on people who have bony feet where there is little natural cushioning. This can be further exacerbated by the sufferer wearing shoes that are a poor fit or that have high heels that place consistent pressure on one area of the foot.
Some common foot conditions also cause corns including:
Your podiatrist and corns
If you think you have a corn on your foot, it's important that you seek the advice of a podiatrist rather than trying to treat the problem yourself with over-the-counter remedies. A corn is symptomatic of an underlying foot problem, rather than being the actual problem itself, so it's important that you remedy the root cause and don't just try to treat the corn.
The podiatrist will be able to remove the corn using a sharp blade to get rid of the thickened skin. This procedure won't hurt and will reduce the pain caused by the continual pressure. You may also be given special insoles to wear inside your shoes that will provide cushioning and thus prevent the corn from reforming.
If the podiatrist diagnoses the cause of your corn as being a conformational foot problem, they will suggest a course of appropriate treatment that might include physiotherapy or even surgery, depending upon the condition causing the corn.
Prevention
Once the podiatrist has treated your corn, it's important that you take appropriate measures to prevent it from returning. General foot care is important to prevent areas of dry skin that could cause corns to form.
- Make sure that you dry your feet thoroughly after bathing, and use a special moisturising foot cream as prescribed by your podiatrist.
- Use a pumice stone or a special foot file to gently rub away areas of hard skin. The easiest time to do this is after you've had a bath, when the skin is softest.
- Choose footwear for comfort that fits you properly. A useful tip is to always shop for your shoes during the afternoon. This is because your feet swell as the day progresses, and therefore shoes that fit you comfortably in the afternoon will stay comfy. Try to avoid wearing high heels every day ,as these can predispose you to the formation of corns.
In conclusion
You shouldn't have to put up with foot pain caused by corns every day. Have a chat with a podiatrist who will be able to identify and treat the cause of the pain, as well as treat your corn.