Corns and calluses are tough in several ways: They’re hard to look at, feel thick and tough, and are often difficult to treat successfully on your own. At Hudson Valley Foot Associates, with offices in Kingston, New Windsor, Wappingers Falls, Hudson, and West Coxsackie, New York, the premier board-certified foot and ankle specialists provide effective treatments to banish these tough skin growths for good. Call the office nearest you or click on the appointment link for help today.
Corns and calluses are hard layers of dead skin. While they’re made of the same thing, corns and calluses have some differences.
Corns are round and usually the size of a dime or smaller. Most corns have a very hard center, but you can also develop soft rubbery corns. The most common sites for corns are the tops of your toes. Soft corns are more likely to grow between the toes.
Calluses are usually irregularly shaped and larger than corns. They lack the hard center of calluses but can still be quite tough. Mainly, calluses appear in weight-bearing areas like the balls of your feet.
Both corns and calluses can be irritating, and they may become quite uncomfortable.
The leading cause of corns and calluses is friction or pressure on your skin. Some common sources of this include:
Other foot conditions, including bunions and hammertoe, force your toes into abnormal positions, creating an environment where corns and calluses are more likely.
Treatment of corns and calluses is more complex than it may seem. While warm water soaking and gentle daily use of a pumice stone may help with some milder corns and calluses, these measures aren’t generally adequate for larger or older ones.
Never try to cut or shave off a corn or callus at home. You can accidentally remove too much skin, possibly leading to an infection, and it’s not worth the risk when the experts at Hudson Valley Foot Associates are available to help anytime.
The podiatry specialists may use several techniques to treat your corn or callus, such as:
After removing your corn or callus, your providers can give you some tips and tricks to help you prevent a recurrence, such as always wearing socks to protect your feet.
Corns and calluses can be inconvenient and uncomfortable, but fortunately, they’re very treatable. Call Hudson Valley Foot Associates or click on the online scheduling feature to book your appointment today.