Would you like to learn more about corns from your Indianapolis, IN, podiatrist?

What is a corn?

It's a small circular thickened lesion in the skin of the foot caused by pressure or friction over bony areas, such as a joint. Corns affect people who already have foot deformities, such as hammertoes.

What are the symptoms of corns?

• A thick and rough area of skin
• A hardened and raised bump
• Tenderness and/or pain under skin
• Flaky, dry and/or waxy skin

What are other causes of corns developing?

There are several reasons people develop corns, according to your Indianapolis, IN, podiatrist. Here are a few:

• Wearing ill-fitting shoes
• Skipping socks
• Bunions
• Bone spur

What types of corns are there?

There are five different types of corns:

• Hard corns are the most common corns that appear as a small, thick pea sized protrusion on the skin.
• Soft corns are similar to hard corns in terms of how they form but have a white rubbery texture.
• Seed corns are tiny painless corns that appear singly or in clusters on the bottom of the foot.
• Vascular/neurovascular corns have nerve fibers and blood vessels which makes them painful and susceptible to profuse bleeding if cut.
• Fibrous corns are long-lasting corns that have attached themselves to deeper tissues.

How do you treat corns?

There are a few home remedies and lifestyle changes you can make. Soak the corn in warm water for 5 to 10 minutes and gently massage over it with a pumice stone to remove dead skin. Use moisturizer every that contains salicylic acid, urea, or ammonium lactate to help soften skin, and wear properly fitted and padded shoes.

Extreme cases may call for surgery but you will need to consult your doctor to first evaluate your specific situation.

If you have any questions about corns, make sure you contact your Indianapolis, IN, podiatrist.