Toe woes affect many of us, and concealing unsightly corns and calluses from the world isn’t always easy. No matter if you’re a regular sufferer or if you’re going through a rough patch, there is a way to help shedding and preventing thick, dry, dead skin to bring your feet out of hibernation. Put your best foot forward with our tips below..

TThis is not a diagnostic tool. This healthcare professional does not endorse Scholl products and were paid by the makers of Scholl for their time producing this video

What are corns and calluses?

Corns and calluses are areas of hard, thickened skin that develop from excessive pressure or friction. Corns are small circles of thick skin often found on the top and sides of toes, or on the soles of feet. Calluses are larger areas of rough, thick, skin often yellow and found on the balls of feet or the heels.

What are the symptoms of corns and calluses?

Corns and calluses are usually symptomatic of an underlying problem such as a bone deformity, walking style, unsuitable footwear or skin type. Elderly people have less fatty tissue in their skin, making them more susceptible to corns.

The different types of Corn:

1. Wearing wide shoes with a low heel and soft sole, and avoiding high, pointed and tight shoes.
2. Holding an ice pack to the bunion for up to five minutes at a time.
3. Applying bunion pads to prevent shoes from rubbing and aggravating the area.
4. Losing weight if you are overweight.

What are the symptom triggers?

Corns and calluses can be caused by persistent and occasional pressure from badly-fitted shoes. Calluses can also be caused by activities such as running.

What causes corns and calluses?

Corns and calluses are most common in older people or those with other foot problems, such as bunions.

Corns are often caused by wearing ill-fitting shoes that are too loose and cause the foot to slide and rub. They are also caused by shoes that create pin-pointed pressure such as high-heeled shoes and narrow shoes that pinch. They often appear on bony feet that have a lack of natural cushioning and can develop as a symptom of other conditions like bunions and hammer toe.

Calluses often surface when the skin rubs against something hard like bone, the ground or a shoe, and appear on areas of the foot that bear the most weight. Activities such as running and walking barefoot that put repeated pressure on the foot are often to blame.

Tips for avoiding and managing corns and calluses

Corns and calluses won’t improve until you find and relieve the source of pressure first. They should only be self-treated if you know the cause and have you’ve spoken to a healthcare professional about the best way to manage it.

The best way to prevent corns and calluses from recurring in the future is to wear shoes that reduce pressure and rubbing on the toes and forefeet. You can also use a pumice stone or foot file regularly to gently remove hard skin, before drying feet thoroughly after washing them and applying a moisturising cream.

All information presented on these web pages is not meant to diagnose or prescribe. In all health care matters, please contact your healthcare professional.

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