Anytime Physio Blog

Foot Corn: Everything You Need to Know About Corn Management

Written by Alan | Apr 9, 2021 6:14:25 AM

For many years now, we here at Anytime Physio treat all kinds of foot issues. Foot issues are by far one of the most common, as your feet are constantly under stress and pressure whenever you walk or do other forms of physical activities. Among these issues, corn and calluses seem to give people a lot of trouble. People of all ages struggle with corn feet, as it can make the mere act of moving around quite uncomfortable.

What’s interesting about this is that many of these issues can actually be avoided, or at least significantly improved, if people just had more knowledge about corns. This is why we’ve prepared a quick run-through of everything you need to know about corns and how to manage them.  

What is Corn?

Well, corn is a small patch of dead skin that has thickened and hardened over a long period. One thing that makes corn distinct is its hard central core. While this may sound similar to a bunion, a bunion is actually a metatarsal bone that has spread outwards from the foot. Corn is closer to callouses, as they are caused by the same thing. But the only difference between corn and calluses is that corn is often smaller and runs deeper than a callous.

What Causes Corn?

For the most part, it is caused by constant friction over a long timeframe. This is why corn is commonly found in the spots of your foot that constantly make contact with your shoes whenever you walk. If you find that you’re developing more corn on your foot, it may be time to reexamine your shoes and footwear as they may be a little too tight and are putting too much pressure on your feet. 

Corn itself isn’t an issue but merely a symptom of a bigger problem. This is why it would be in your best interest to have this checked by a professional. If you don’t want to head to a clinic, we also offer online physiotherapy in Brisbane, wherein we can provide patients with the care and support they need through video or phone. This is an effective way of assessing any serious complications that corn may be indicating, especially if you cannot move around much due to the pain.

How Do You Treat Corn?

There are quite a few ways to treat corn. However, you have to understand that not all options are viable, especially for people suffering from diabetes, circulation problems, and fragile skin. With that being said, files and pumice stones can be quite effective when it comes to shedding excess dead skin. However, keep in mind that you must immediately stop using these methods if you experience any pain at all, as you could cause some serious damage to your foot if you overdo it. 

Now, what you don’t want to do is to cut the corn off of your foot. Not only will this be extremely painful, but you also run the risk of having an infection in your foot!

Conclusion

Hopefully, this article proves to be helpful when it comes to managing corn. While corn is far from being a serious issue, it’s something that you’ll want to address immediately to prevent any further pain or discomfort from getting worse. To that end, it’s always best to consult a professional as they can help remedy your situation!

If you’re looking for online physiotherapy consultation in Brisbane, we’re more than happy to help you. We provide cost-effective and accessible services for all of your physiotherapy needs. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our services!