Corns (cont.)
When should you seek professional treatment for corns or calluses?
If the corn bothers you and doesn't respond to salicylic acid and trimming, you might consider seeing a physician or podiatrist who can physically pare corns with scalpels. Podiatrists also can measure and fit you with orthotic devices to redistribute your weight on your feet while you walk so that pressure from the foot bones doesn't focus on your corns. (Off-the-shelf cushioned insoles are one size fits all and may not be effective.)
People with fragile skin or poor circulation in the feet (including many people with diabetes or peripheral arterial disease) should consult their health-care practitioner as soon as corns or calluses develop. Further, you should seek medical care immediately if corns or calluses show signs of infection (such as increasing pain, the presence of pus or other drainage, swelling, and redness).
Surgery for corns is rarely necessary. When a corn is surgically removed, the pressure that caused it to form in the first place will just make it come back if this pressure is not removed or reduced. When necessary, surgery for corns involves shaving the underlying bone or correcting any deformity that is causing undue pressure or friction on the skin.
- Corns and calluses are annoying and sometimes painful thickenings that form in the skin in areas of pressure.
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Corns and calluses can be prevented by reducing or eliminating the circumstances that lead to increased pressure at specific points on the hands and feet.
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Corns and calluses can be treated with many types of medicated products to chemically pare down the thickened, dead skin.
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People with fragile skin or poor circulation in the feet (including many people with diabetes or peripheral arterial disease) should consult their health-care practitioner as soon as corns or calluses develop.
Last Editorial Review: 8/20/2008
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- Diabetes - Learn about type 1 and 2 diabetes (Diabetes Mellitus) symptoms including increased urination, thirst, weight loss, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, skin infections, and blurred vision. Causes and diagnosis information is provided in the information.
- salicylic acid or salicylic acid combinations--topical (LIQ,SOLN) - Consumer information about the medication SALICYLIC ACID OR SALICYLIC ACID COMBINATIONS - TOPICAL (LIQ,SOLN) , includes side effects, drug interactions, recommended dosages, and storage information. Read more about the prescription drug SALICYLIC ACID OR SALICYLIC ACID COMBINATIONS - TOPICAL (LIQ,SOLN).
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