Foot
Corns & Callus (hyperkeratosis) |
Information
for health
professionals
on hyperkeratosis |
Corns and callus are one of the
most common problems seen by Podiatrists. They can occur on any
part of the foot and vary in symptoms from a mild callus under the
foot, to an infected ulcer that can develop under a corn on a toe.
Other names for corns and callus are hyperkeratosis, clavus, heloma
and tyloma). |
Pathologically they are all the
same - the skin has thickened in response to pressure. A callus
generally refers to a more diffuse thickening of the skin (more
common on the toes, but can occur under the ball of the foot) whereas
a corn is a thicker more focal area area (more common on the toes).
A corn can occur under and be surrounded by callus. |
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What is
a foot corn and callus (hyperkeratosis): |
A corn or callus are areas of thickened
skin that occur in areas of pressure. They are actually a normal
and natural way for the body to protect itself. For example, callus
develops on the hand when chopping a lot of wood - its a normal
way for the skin to protect itself. In the foot, the skin will thicken
up to protect itself when there are areas of high pressure. The
problem occurs when the pressure continues, so the skin gets thicker.
It eventually becomes painful and is treated as something foreign
by the body. |
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What does
a foot corn and foot callus look like: |
Corns appear as a horny thickening
of the skin on the toes. This thickening appears as a cone shaped
mass pointing down into the skin. Hard corns are usually located
on the outer surface of the little toe or on the upper surface of
the other toes, but can occur between the toes. A soft corn occurs
between the toes and are kept soft by the moisture in this area.
A callus is more diffuse area of thickening and does not have the
focal point of the corn. |
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A corn on the outside of
the little toe |
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What causes
foot corns and callus (hyperkeratosis): |
Corns and callus are
caused by one thing - TOO MUCH
PRESSURE, usually in combination with some
friction. There is no other way to get them - the pressure stimulates
the skin to thicken to protect itself, but as the stimulation
of the pressure continues, it becomes painful.
Too much pressure can
be from causes such as:
As there are a whole range
of problems that can result in a corn or callus, it is often good
to consider that they are not really a condition at all, but are
a symptom of an underlying condition. |
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Complications
of foot corns and callus (hyperkeratosis): |
Corns and callus that are not
treated will become painful. They will not come right on there own
unless the pressure that caused them is taken away. If it is not
the skin will continue to thicken and become more painful. After
a while the body will start treating it as a foreign body and a
ulcer (abscess) can develop. This can get infected - the infection
can spread. Infection of corns on the toe is more common than a
callus. This can be a serious complication for those with poor
circulation, peripheral neuropathy
and the need for diabetes foot care.
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What can
you do to treat a foot corn and callus: |
As
corns and callus are symptoms of underlying problems, self treatment
should follow a proper diagnosis of the underlying condition and
advice on how to best manage it.
Remedies such as
corn paint, cure or plasters will generally only treat the symptom
of the corn and not the problem that causes it. These chemicals
contain acid that are supposed to 'eat away' the corn, but the chemical
can not tell what is corn and what is normal - it will eat what
ever you put it on. While this can be risky in healthy people, it
can be very dangerous and risky in those with poor
circulation and/or diabetes.
The use of "corn plasters"
in those who are at risk or have frail skin are very likely to cause
an ulcer (a breakdown of the skin) which could become infected and
it the circulation is poor, an amputation is a possibility.
Cutting
corns or calluses yourself (bathroom surgery) is not without
its dangers, especially if you cut yourself. In the warm and moist
environment of enclosed shoes, infection can easily develop into
a serious wound.
Self treatment
or management of corns and callus includes:
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Podiatric
treatment of a foot corn and foot callus: |
Podiatric management of corns and callus
include:
The management plan is
likely to take into account several options:
- regular maintenance to keep the corn and callus reduced
- use of padding to prevent the pressure
- advice about the fitting of footwear
- the use of foot orthotics or supports to relieve the pressure
under the foot
- surgical correction of the bony prominence that may be causing
the high pressure area
It is especially important
that those with diabetes or poor circulation see a podiatrist for
the management of corns and callus. |
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"I
went to a Podiatrist, but they never took the corn out - it just
keeps coming back"; "Why can't you take the corn out so
it won't come back?" - corns are easy
to take out - the reason they keep coming back is that the cause
is still there and that cause is pressure. If the pressure is not
removed, they will come back. |
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"My
podiatrist reckons he cut the corn out, but its still sore"
- there could be several reasons for this - there may be a lot of
inflammation that has not yet resolved; occasionally the pain may
not have actually been due to the corn or callus in the first place
(for example, it could have been a bursitis or a chilblain);
if the corn was severe, there could have been an ulcer or abscess
that needs to heal (this can be very painful after the corn has
been "removed"). |
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Prevention
of a foot corn and callus (hyperkeratosis): |
Corns and callus are
easy to prevent - just take
away the cause and that cause is excessive pressure.
No chemical applied to the corn or callus will take away pressure.
Correct fitting of footwear around the toes, the use of pads to
relieve pressure, surgical management of bony prominence and/or
regular podiatric care are the best options for prevention of
corns and callus.
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Links of
relevance to foot corns and calluses: |
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ePodiatry is purely
a source of information about the foot corn and callus (hyperkeratosis,
clavus) and should at no time be considered as replacing the expertise
of a health professional. We recommend seeking professional advice
for all foot corns and callus (hyperkeratosis, clavus) and all foot
problems before embarking on any form of self treatment or management
of cold feet. Neither the content or any other service provided
through ePodiatry is intended to be relied on for medical diagnosis
or treatment. Do not delay in seeking health professional advice
because of something seen on ePodiatry about a foot corn and callus
(hyperkeratosis, clavus) or any other foot problem. |
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©2003. The information
contained on this page about foot corn and callus (hyperkeratosis,
clavus) is subject to copyright. No part of the information about
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ePodiatry. |
Foot
Corns & Callus (hyperkeratosis)
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