Corns are common foot problems. They have raised areas on the bottom of the foot caused by excessive friction or pressure where your shoe meets your skin. Shoes and socks are your best defense against corn; however, there are other home remedies you can use to treat them. Preventing them is easy- just keep your feet clean and dry.
 
Corns and calluses are treated the same way. It’s about avoiding the duplication of operations that lead to creating them. Wearing proper footwear and using protective pads can help.
 
If corns or calluses remain or become painful despite your self-care efforts, medication can provide relief:
 
● Trim off excess skin. Your doctor can scrape away the thickened skin or cut away a large corn with a scalpel. This can be done during an office visit. Do not try it yourself, as it can cause an infection.
 
● Medical treatment patch. Your doctor may also use a patch (Clear Away, MediPlast, etc.) that contains 40% salicylic acid. The patch is sold without a prescription. Your doctor will tell you how often you need to change the patch. Try smoothing down the thickened skin with a pumice stone, nail file, or emery board before applying a new patch. If you need to treat larger areas, try over-the-counter salicylic acid in gel or liquid form.
 
● Insole for shoes. If you have an underlying deformity of the foot, your doctor may prescribe custom padded shoe inserts (orthotics) to help prevent corns or calluses from recurring.
 
● Surgery. Your doctor may recommend surgery to correct the alignment of the bones that are causing the friction. This type of surgery can be performed without hospitalization.

When your feet are in shoes, your skin is pressed against the inside of the shoe. This friction causes swelling and inflammation around the affected area. It is commonly caused by walking or running for prolonged periods of time. If you have diabetes, poor circulation can also contribute to corn. In some cases, injury has occurred and there is no other reason for the bump. Other times, corns are the result of regular wear and tear of your shoes.

To treat corn, you’ll need ice and a Band-Aid. You can also try applying coconut oil to the area to help with healing. After applying the cold to your feet, cover them with a towel to keep them comfortable while you wait for them to cool down. You can also place a towel on top of an icy plate and place your feet on top of it. Leave the ice on your feet for 20 minutes before removing the towel and performing other tasks with your feet unharmed. After 20 minutes, apply the cold Band-Aid to your corn and wear your feet again for more effect.
 
You should also keep your shoes clean and away from bacterial growths such as moisture and bacteria. Poor hygiene causes corn to form more often since dirt collects around your feet more readily when wearing shoes. Furthermore, dirty shoes make it more difficult to keep your shoes clean; this encourages bacterial growth and makes it harder to prevent corn from forming. To avoid this, always wash your shoes with anti-bacterial soap and hot water. You should also wipe them down with a damp cloth monthly to remove excess dirt and bacteria.

Small, round, raised bumps of hardened skin surrounded by irritated skin (more corn-like). A thick, hard, larger, usually flat patch of skin (more likely a callus).
 
Corns are common foot ailments that can be prevented with regular treatment methods. Keeping your feet clean keeps them healthy as well- so make sure to always wipe down your shoes monthly with a damp cloth. Also, apply ice or a Band-Aid to reduce pain and swelling when treating corn. Lastly, avoid injury or poor footwear design by following safety guidelines when you have problems with your feet. For more information call us today or book an appointment online. We have convenient locations to serve you. We serve patients from Wall Street Financial District NY, Harlem NY, Midtown NY, Lower Manhattan NY, Brooklyn NY, and Yorkville NY.