Foot Care

Health Guides
Calluses and Corns
Foot Care

If you are chary of the corn or the callus that has suddenly erupted on your hand or feet, then you better relax.Because the abnormality can apparently help you prevent any further injury to your skin that is being pinched or chafed repeatedly. Yet, in case you have diabetes or a poor circulation problem, then it is time that you run to your doctor, now!

What is Callus?

Callus indicates a specific patch of the skin, which has become relatively thickened and harder as a result of frequent pinching, rubbing or pressure. Found typically on the palms of the hands, heels and balls of the feet and sometimes on the knees, calluses are otherwise considered harmless. Nonetheless, a callus, if damaged, can give rise to serious infections.

The two types of calluses are:

• Plantar. One that occurs on the sole of the foot. Normally with a white centre.

• Palmar. Calluses of the hands.

What are Corns?

Corn too is a kind of callus of dead skin – a small and raised bump on the outer layer of the skin that can be awfully sore and painful. Also known as clavi, corns normally show up on thin, smooth as well as hairless skins such as top of fingers and toes. These can also occur on the thick skins of the palm and sole areas, surrounded by inflamed and puffy skin. There are three different types of corns:

• Hard Corns. A compact lump of corn with thick core appearing on dry and flat skin surfaces such as on top of the toes, outside of the little toe or on the sole of the foot.

• Soft Corns. Small and inflamed patches of skin usually noticed between two toes. They normally remain rather moist making the skin around it soft. • Seed Corns. Not a very common type, a seed corn generally appears on the heel or ball of the foot as a circle of hard skin.

Causes of corns and calluses

Various causes of callus/corn conditions (medically known as hyperkeratosis) are given below: • Majority of calluses and corns on the soles occur when foot bones press against the skin.

• Shoes, especially tight ones, can cause corns as a result of rubbing of the shoes with the top edge of the toes. Corns also tend to form at the edge of the nails due to the frequent rubbing/pressures.

• Dancers can also develop calluses on soles of their feet after repeated performances. However, they can benefit from the onset of the hardness as it makes their act relatively less painful.

• Players of string instruments invariably develop calluses on their playing fingers. These too can help the players subsequently because the thicker skin helps to absorb the tension/pressure of the string applied on the fingertips.

• Similarly, extensive use of fingers/thumbs to play specific type of video games (such as portable systems with D-pads) can cause calluses.

A callus/corn can also form even if there is no rubbing or contact pressure. Examples of such occurrences are:

• Certain diseases (such as syphilis) can indicate corneous skins in the form of thickened palms and soles.

• Corns in the creases of fingers in the hand and feet can cause ‘keratosis palmaris et plantaris’, a condition that is considered rather benign.

• Calluses/corns may be caused due to ageing, hormonal changes or overexposure to sun – a condition known as actinic keratosis.

• Selected toxins (such as arsenic) can bring about thick palms and soles.

Prevention and Cure

Calluses and corns do not present any major health problem warranting medical care in a normal person. However, persons with diabetes or poor blood circulation may need immediate medical attention should a callus or corn show any sign of bleeding. As such, it is advisable that treatments should invariably start the moment the first occurrence is noticed.

Different ways to prevent/treat calluses and corns are:

• Wear shoes that fit properly. If the calluses still persist, place an insole inside the shoe or against the foot to lessen the effect of friction.

• Use of an appropriate orthotic device (that supports or corrects the functioning of a limb) can be resorted to for reducing the pressure and friction. The device is designed to let the skin relax and prevent thickening.

• Dissolve a mixture of borax powder, iodine and bran in warm water and soak the feet in it for 20 minutes in order to soften the calluses. Then rub layers of dead skin off the affected area systematically with a cloth towel. Repeat the process for a number of days till the complete dead skin along with the core is rubbed off. (In case the towel rubbing is not effective, use 40-grit sandpaper to do the trick.)

• The above method can also be adopted after soaking feet in a solution of Epsom salts and hot water for about five minutes.

• The callus/corn can be shaved down through a method known as podiatry (done by an expert chiropodist or podiatrist).

• Moleskin pads can be placed over corns to reduce pressure. In order to cushion the calluses, one can use moleskin, lamb’s wool or a sizeable wad of cotton.

• Hydrocortisone cream is also known to help relieve sore/painful corns.

• Application of skin softeners such as petroleum jelly and hand lotions can also benefit to a reasonable extent.

It should, however, be noted that some ointments used for this purposes may contain acids that may damage the skin. Such ointments must never be used by patients of diabetes or people diagnosed with poor blood circulation, or by pregnant women.

In the event of bleeding or discharge of any kind of pus/ clear fluid, a physician must be consulted immediately. The condition may warrant the following:

• Removal of the affected segment of the skin.

• Draining of pus from the infected area.

• Correct the conditions by medication through oral antibiotics.

• Administering pain-killing injection.

• Undertake corrective surgery of toes or to remove offending bone pieces. (Surgery should, however, be recommended as a last resort).

Alternative Treatment Methods for Calluses and Corns

A host of alternative means, including ayurvedic treatment methods, can be used to tackle calluses/corns problems including:

• Correcting standing postures and walking styles to get rid of excessive pressure on the foot.

• Employing bodywork methods such as Aston-patterning, Rolfing and Feldenkrais methods that can help correct body imbalance problems through movement training, massage and meditation.

• Use of traditional creams such as aloe and calendula salve can also help in softening the skin.

• One teaspoon each of chamomile tea and lemon juice blended with one garlic clove can be used to soften thickened skin.