Have you ever had pain in your feet accompanied by a small, hard lump? You may be worried that you have plantar warts or other foot conditions, but in fact you may be dealing with foot corns. Corns on the feet are a fairly common occurrence. These painful, rigid lumps on the skin usually show up at pressure points on the feet and the sides of toes. They can also appear on the hands and fingers.
What are corns?
A corn is a round and painful patch of skin with a thick, hardened centre. The hardened centre is also called the core. They may feel hard, soft or rubbery depending on the type of corn. They develop from repeated friction, rubbing or irritation and pressure on the skin. Corns develop as the body’s natural method of protection, but can be extremely painful if left untreated.
Types of foot corns
Hard corns
Hard corns are the most common. They appear thick and solid with a yellowish tinge of colour. They can develop on the bottom of the foot, or on top and sides of the toes
Soft corns
Soft corns can appear and feel similar to blisters, but are not filled with fluid unlike blisters. They have a rubbery texture with a white or grey colour. They usually form between the toes due to sweat being trapped when the corn develops.
Seed corns
Seed corns are much tinier than hard and soft corns. They can be found on the soles of the feet, but are different from plantar warts. Size changes are a good way to differentiate between a corn and a plantar wart — plantar warts grow and become larger while seed corns remain the same size. Plantar warts also have an identifiable black or brown dot underneath.
Care and remedies for foot corns
Try soaking corns in warm water to soften them before removing the thickened skin with a foot file, pumice stone or washcloth. Moisturise your skin regularly and wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes and socks, with some cushioning if possible. Avoid using sharp objects to remove the thickened skin. If you have diabetes or other underlying conditions that affect blood flow, it is best not to use tools to remove the skin on your foot. Additionally, corn pads or plasters with salicylic acid are not recommended as they can irritate your skin and lead to infection.
Podiatrist care for foot corns
When your corns on the feet are persistently painful or if you require diabetic foot care, you can seek help from a podiatrist for corn removal. A podiatrist can gently debride the hard skin of the callus with sterile instruments and the centre of the corn can be carefully removed. While consulting and seeking treatment, the foot specialist can also provide footwear advice to prevent the development of corns since improper or tight footwear is often a cause of foot corns. Depending on your individual situation, custom made insoles (orthoses) may be prescribed to reduce excessive weight bearing forces on the feet and provide long-term relief.
Physio & Sole is a client-trusted podiatry clinic in Singapore. Our highly trained professional podiatrists provide you with quality care for foot and ankle conditions. Book an appointment at one of our conveniently located clinics to seek treatment and advice for your foot corns today.
