Corns

There are five different types of corns, the most common of which are ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ corns:

– Hard corns – these are the most common and appear as a small area of concentrated hard skin up to the size of a small pea usually within a wider area of thickened skin or callus. This may be a symptom of the feet or toes not functioning properly.

– Soft corns – these develop in a similar way to hard corns but they are whitish and rubbery in texture and appear between the toes where the skin is moist from sweat or from inadequate drying.

– Seed corns – these are tiny corns that tend to occur either singly or in clusters on the bottom of the foot and are usually painless.

– Vascular/neurovascular corns – these are corns that have both nerve fibres and blood vessels in them. They can be very painful and bleed profusely if cut

– Fibrous corns – these arise when corns have been present for a long time and are more firmly attached to the deeper tissues than any other type of corn. They may also be painful.

How to prevent corns:

If you have corns, you can treat them yourself occasionally by gently rubbing with a pumice stone or a foot file when you are in the bath and applying moisturising cream to help soften thickened skin a little at a time, or relieve pressure between the toes with a foam wedge.
– wear thick, cushioned socks
– wear wide, comfortable shoes with a low heel and soft sole that does not rub
– use soft insoles or heel pads in your shoes

Do not:
– try to cut off corns yourself
– walk long distances or stand for long periods
– wear high heels or tight pointy shoes
– go barefoot

Surgical treatment:

For soft tissue lesions, like corns, that have failed all other conservative treatments, the option of a small surgical procedure is a possibility. Corns can be excised under local anaesthetic. Click here for more information on our corn excision treatment