What are corns?
Corns are hard bumps that develop on the top or bottom of your feet and on the side of your toes.
These bumps are often confused with patches of extra-thick skin known as calluses. However, corns are smaller than calluses and will appear dry or waxy. The skin around a corn will also be inflamed.
You may be at increased risk for developing corns as you get older, and if you:
Over time, corns can become painful, especially if they grow on the weight-bearing areas of your feet. The team at New Age Foot & Ankle Surgery offers comprehensive corn care services in-office to treat existing corns and prevent new ones from forming.
How are corns treated?
During your evaluation, the New Age Foot & Ankle Surgery team examines your foot to confirm the growth is a corn and not a wart or cyst. You may also need an X-ray to ensure that there are no structural abnormalities in your foot that are causing the corn.
If you have corns that are painful, the podiatry team may recommend protective pads or orthotic shoe inserts to prevent friction and further irritation of the corn. You may also need an in-office procedure to trim away excess skin.
When you have recurrent corns because of structural abnormalities in your foot, you may need surgery to correct the alignment of your foot. The team can discuss your options for surgery during your consultation.
How can I prevent corns?
In addition to diagnosing and treating painful corns, the team at New Age Foot & Ankle Surgery offers resources to prevent additional corns. They may suggest changing your footwear style and using custom shoe inserts to reduce pressure on your feet.
The team can also recommend foot hygiene improvements to keep your feet healthy, such as washing with soap and water daily and learning proper toenail trimming techniques.
Daily foot hygiene is especially important if you have underlying circulatory issues or diabetes, which can increase your risk for potentially serious foot ulcers and infections.
To schedule a diagnostic evaluation for painful corns, call the office of New Age Foot & Ankle Surgery nearest to you today or request an appointment online.
