About Foot Corns and Calluses

When you are on your feet all day, eventually they will let you know when they have had enough. People with physical jobs, like waitresses and construction workers, quite often develop calluses and corns on their feet. These can be not only unsightly; they can be downright painful.

Calluses are generally caused by continuous friction between your feet and your footwear. Calluses are less likely to be painful than corns, but can become painful if the area were to split or crack.

Corns resemble kernels of corn that seem to be growing out of your skin, and are often the result of changes in your feet, like an injury or arthritis. Corns are not actually the result of foot friction, but being on your feet all day can aggravate the problem.

The pain caused by corns and calluses can be avoided simply by wearing the proper footwear. If you have a job that requires you to be on your feet for long periods of time, or a hobby like hiking or running, it is essential that you spend the extra money to get a quality, comfortable pair of shoes or boots.

To get rid of calluses, you should take some time to pamper your feet. Look for lotions or remedies made especially for your feet at your local health and beauty shop. Use a pumice stone to gently rub away the extra skin after a bath, shower, or foot soak.

If you have corns, every step you take may be painful. These are a little harder to get rid of and may require a doctor visit. You can relieve some of the pain of having a corn by buying corn pads that fit directly over the corn. These will cushion the corn so it does not rub as much while you are on your feet. If you wear heeled shoes and develop a corn, you might want to stick to flat, comfortable shoes until the corn is gone.

There are various products designed to get rid of corns, but these should be used with caution. Some will melt away the hardened skin, but should never touch the surrounding healthy skin. While these may work, you will probably just experience more corns in the future.

Because corns are related to a problem within your foot, it's important to get the problem taken care of by a podiatrist. If you don't, the corns will just keep reappearing. Your doctor may scrap away some of the corn a little at a time, and may suggest other remedies. They should also address the underlying foot problem and take steps towards alleviating your condition.

If your corns are not the result of an underlying health issue, it is most likely the result of wearing your shoes too tightly. Many women's shoes are made with a point at the tip, which can cause toes to be unnaturally squashed together. Developing a corn is a sign that you should perhaps look for a different type of shoe, or wear that type of footwear less often.

If you have a serious problem with corns or calluses that tend to be cracked and painful, you should see a podiatrist for help. Corns can point to changes in your feet that you need to be aware of, and calluses that become cracked can become infected. Each is a situation that should be handled by a doctor.