Corns and calluses are the terms given to patches of hard, thickened skin. These can be located anywhere on your body, but they are typically found on your feet.
Corns are small, round circles of thick skin. They can develop on any area of your foot, but they are most commonly found on the tops and sides of your toes and on the sole of your foot. They occur more frequently on bony feet that lack cushioning. Calluses are rough, very hard patches of skin. They are usually found on the heel or the ball of your foot, but they can also be found on your hands and knuckles. Calluses are usually bigger than corns and have a yellow color. They lack well-defined edges and may lack sensitivity compared to the rest of the foot.
Corns and calluses are usually painless, although they can become painful after extended periods. There are several treatments for these problems. Choosing the right treatment depends on the original cause of your corns or calluses.
Corns and calluses may clear up on their own if the cause is identified and stopped, or if they appeared because of participation in an athletic event like a marathon. They are likely to reappear and grow larger until the problem is fixed. In some cases, corns and calluses may become infected and make walking extremely painful. In these cases, additional treatment may be necessary, and some scarring may remain when the calluses have healed.
Treatment is by general foot care and application of certain topical medications. However, in large, painful corns/calluses, surgical removal is often done with or without the help of electrosurgical devices.
Corns and calluses can be prevented in a number of ways, including;
Comfortable Shoes: Wear comfortable footwear that fits properly.
General Foot Care: Dry your feet carefully after washing them or getting them wet. Use a moisturizing foot cream regularly. These creams are designed to soothe the feet, as well as soften skin. Use a foot file or pumice stone to remove patches of hard skin from your feet. Foot files should be replaced regularly. Pumice stones should be allowed to dry thoroughly between each use.