What’s the Difference and How to Treat Them in Phoenix, Arizona
Have you ever worn new shoes and felt discomfort in your feet? Do you notice thicker, hardened, or even painful areas on your feet and don’t know if you’re dealing with a callus or a corn? This is a common question among patients, and understanding the difference makes a difference in treatment. Corns and calluses require different approaches. At Prestige Medical Care in Phoenix, Arizona, with proper follow-up, these conditions can be treated safely, effectively, and painlessly.
Why Do We Get Them?
When supporting the body’s weight, the feet endure a great deal of wear and tear. For example, the feet of a 70-year-old person have traveled a distance equivalent to three times around the world. Even so, feet are one of the most neglected parts of the body.
Sometimes, the pressure exerted on the feet becomes uneven, and the additional friction is transferred to a specific area. When this happens, the body reacts to this pressure by thickening the surface layer of the skin. This hardening of the skin is known as callus and is the body’s protective response to protect the tissues in the lower layers of the skin.
What Are Corns?
Corns, also known as heloma, are areas of localized thickening of the skin, usually small, hard, and well-defined. They form as a reaction of the body to constant pressure or friction at a specific point, such as on or between the toes. They are characterized by their small size, well-defined contours, hardened texture and yellowish color, sensitivity or pain to the touch, and the presence of a firmer central core.
What about Calluses?
Calluses are larger, superficial areas of thickened skin. They also arise from friction or pressure, but usually affect larger areas, such as the soles of the feet or the heels. Calluses are characterized by a large, diffuse area with no defined contours, with dry, rough, and thick skin. They rarely cause pain, except in more advanced stages, and are common in people who walk a lot or wear inappropriate footwear.
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Who Can Suffer from Corns and Calluses?
Almost all of us! Corns and calluses affect more people than any other type of foot problem. Some people have a natural tendency to develop callosities due to their skin type, or because they suffer from more specific conditions such as diabetes, endocrine or vascular problems. For example, people with diabetes or poor circulation are more likely to develop potentially serious infections, often related to self-treatment.
Older adults are also at potential risk. As we age, the subcutaneous tissue of the soles of the feet decreases, as does tissue elasticity. The joints of the foot and toes also undergo biomechanical changes and wear and tear. These factors contribute to the appearance of calluses on the soles of the feet or on the backs of the toes.
In addition, people whose occupation requires standing for long periods are more prone to developing calluses.
How to Treat Corns and Calluses Painlessly?
The secret is to avoid home remedies and seek professional advice. Attempting to file them excessively or cut them with razor blades can cause wounds, infections, and even worsen the problem.
The best treatment for corns and calluses is to eliminate the source of pressure that causes them. Structural changes in the toes, such as claw toes or changes in the way you walk, can be the cause. Therefore, it is important to perform a morphological and joint evaluation of the foot during a podiatry consultation.
The podiatrist may also recommend custom insoles, silicone protectors, a change in footwear, and a referral for an orthopedic evaluation, if necessary.
Commercial preparations, such as anti-corn tinctures and corn plasters, only treat the symptoms, not the problem. Similarly, applying these products to the healthy skin surrounding the callus can be potentially dangerous. Commercial preparations should only be used under professional advice.
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Schedule Your Foot Consultation with Dr. Bland in Phoenix, Arizona
Corns and calluses are signs that something is wrong with the way your body distributes weight or responds to repetitive friction. Treating them with care, safety, and professional guidance makes all the difference. At Prestige Medical Care, Dr. Devin Bland, DPM, FACFAS, DABPM, will not only recommend ways to relieve pain and remove corns and calluses, but will also help you identify the cause and prevent the problem from recurring.
Find the best and most compassionate foot care in Phoenix, Arizona. Call us today to schedule your consultation and discover how our comprehensive, family-oriented approach to podiatric care can help you recover and move comfortably through life.