Common Foot Problems – Corns

What are Corns?

Corns are small lumps of hard skin that can be painful. They’re not often serious. You mostly get corns and calluses on your feet, toes and hands.

What you can do about corns?

If you have diabetes, heart disease or problems with your circulation, do not try to treat corns yourself as these conditions can make foot problems more serious.

These are the things you can try at home to help get rid of and prevent corns forming:

• wear thick, cushioned socks
• wear wide, comfortable shoes with a low heel and soft sole that do not rub
• use soft insoles or heel pads in your shoes
• soak corns and calluses in warm water to soften them
• regularly use a pumice stone or foot file to remove hard skin
• moisturise to help keep skin soft

Things NOT to do:

• Don’t try to cut off corns yourself
• Don’t walk long distances or stand for long periods
• Don’t wear high heels or tight pointy shoes
• Don’t go barefoot

Corns can be caused by

• Wearing shoes that are too tight and rub the skin
• Wearing shoes that are the wrong size
• Wearing shoes without socks

A foot specialist, such as a podiatrist, can offer treatments such as:

• Cutting away the corn or callus
• Patches to help soften the hard skin so it can be removed
• Specially made soft pads or insoles to take pressure off the painful area of your foot

This is the second in our series about common foot problems. Our we aim is to provide you with information about these conditions plus hints and tips on how to avoid and treat them.

If you are concerned about any problems with your feet call our reception team to book an appointment with one of our podiatry team.