Corn Callus
Facts About A Corn Callus
A hyperkeratosis or corn callus begins as a thickening of the skin. Overtime, a bump or corn can appear and this can be a painful condition. This can be seen on the hands, feet and on the toes and it is a result of excessive pressure. Although it is not considered a dangerous condition, occasionally an ulcer can appear under the corn and this is a sign of infection. A corn callus is usually a gray to yellow color and it can be sensitive to the touch and painful if it becomes too large.
A callus is a result of repeated activity and a pressure on the skin. For example, a construction worker can have callused hands because he uses a hammer everyday. The pressure from holding the hammer and working with it causes a thickening of the skin. This is a natural response by the body as it tries to protect the skin from injury. Sometimes, a blister can also occur to protect injured skin. But this is not the same as a corn callus.
A corn callus is another way the body protects itself and they are almost always located on the toes. They form because the toes rub against each other but they can also form on top of the toes near to the bone. This happens because of pressure or friction on the toes. It can be from wearing socks or shoes that are too tight. The skin dies because of friction and it becomes hardened. This hardened skin is there to protect the delicate skin that is underneath of the corn callus.
Bumps that occur because of rheumatoid arthritis or bunions can have calluses or corns on top of them. This makes these medical conditions very painful. Even though the corn itself is not painful, it if rubs against socks or shoes, the pain can be severe. The only way to relieve the pain is to keep pressure off the callused area.
A doctor can diagnose a corn callus immediately but he may want to do a few X-rays, if you have corns on your toes. This can indicate a problem with bone formation and he will want to make sure that there are no underlying bone issues. In most cases, there are simple ways to cure or relieve pain from a corn callus.
If the corn is tiny and it causes no pain, a doctor will probably not treat it. When there is pain present, the best thing to do is relieve the pressure and allow it to fully heal. Protective padding can be worn over the corns to prevent further damage and salicylic acid can be used to soften the corn area so that it can be easily removed.
You should never attempt to remove a corn by yourself. But a doctor can remove or reshape it using a surgical knife. You can frequently soak the corn in warm water and remove some of the callus with a pumice stone. When it comes to a corn callus that has formed because of an underlying bone problem, surgery may have to be done to not only remove the corn but to also make an adjustment to the bone.
This condition centers on wearing footwear that is too tight or causes friction. So it isn’t surprising that women suffer from this more than men. People who have boney feet or toes are also more likely to come down with this condition.
If you are suffering with corn callus that is enlarged or extremely painful, you should seek medical help. The doctor can help to ease the symptoms and he can also rule out an infected ulcer.