Corns and Calluses

Common signs and symptoms include:

• Thickened, Hard Skin: A noticeable patch of hard, rough skin.
• Raised Bump: Corns often form a distinct, conical bump.
• Texture Changes: Skin may feel dry, waxy, or flaky.
• Discoloration: Affected skin may appear yellowish or greyish.
• Pain or Tenderness: Especially with direct pressure (e.g., walking, wearing shoes). Corns are often more painful than calluses.
• Discomfort: A general feeling of walking on pebbles (with calluses under the ball of the foot) or sharp pain (with corns).

If these symptoms cause significant discomfort or limit your activities, professional assessment at Fine Podiatry Clinic is recommended.

Corns and calluses are caused by excessive pressure or friction on the skin. Contributing factors include:

• Ill-Fitting Footwear: Shoes that are too tight, too loose, too high-heeled, or have inadequate cushioning are primary culprits. Seams inside shoes can also rub.
• Foot Deformities: Structural issues like bunions, hammertoes, bone spurs, or high/low arches can create abnormal pressure points.
• Abnormal Gait/Biomechanics: The way you walk can cause uneven weight distribution and pressure.
• Not Wearing Socks: Socks provide a protective layer; going without them increases friction from shoes.
• Repetitive Activities: Standing, walking, or running for long periods, especially on hard surfaces.

Thinning Fat Pad: The natural cushioning on the sole of the foot can thin with age, increasing pressure on bones and skin.

• Pain and Discomfort: Persistent pain affecting mobility and quality of life.
• Infection: If the skin breaks down under or around the corn/callus, bacteria can enter, leading to infection (redness, swelling, pus, warmth). This risk is significantly higher for individuals with diabetes, poor circulation, or neuropathy.
• Ulceration: In high-risk individuals (especially diabetics), the pressure can lead to skin breakdown and ulcer formation beneath the callus.
• Altered Gait: Changing the way you walk to avoid pain can lead to secondary aches and pains in other joints (ankles, knees, hips, back).
• Masking Underlying Issues: Thick calluses can sometimes hide deeper problems like warts or foreign bodies.

Diagnosing corns and calluses and identifying their underlying cause at our Singapore clinic involves:

1. Medical History: Discussing your symptoms, pain levels, footwear habits, activity levels, and any relevant medical conditions (especially diabetes, circulation issues, arthritis).
2. Physical Examination: Our podiatrist will visually inspect the thickened skin, noting its location, size, shape, and texture to differentiate between corns and calluses. We will check for tenderness and signs of infection.
3. Differential Diagnosis: We will rule out other conditions that can look similar, such as plantar warts (which often have tiny black dots and disrupt skin lines).
4. Biomechanical Assessment: Evaluating your foot structure, posture, and gait to identify pressure points and mechanical factors contributing to the problem.
5. Footwear Assessment: Examining your shoes to see if they are contributing factors.

This thorough clinical assessment helps determine the most effective treatment plan at Fine Podiatry Clinic.

Treatment focuses on relieving pain, removing the thickened skin safely, and addressing the underlying cause to prevent recurrence.

Non-Surgical Treatments

• Professional Debridement (Paring): The safest and most effective way to reduce the thickness of corns and calluses. Our podiatrists at Fine Podiatry Clinic use sterile instruments to carefully trim away the layers of hard skin, providing immediate relief. This should NOT be attempted at home, especially by individuals with diabetes or poor circulation.
• Padding and Offloading: Applying specific pads (e.g., felt, foam, silicone) to cushion the area and redistribute pressure away from the corn or callus. Toe separators may be used for soft corns between toes.
• Footwear Advice and Modification: Recommending appropriate shoes with adequate width, depth, and cushioning. Sometimes minor shoe modifications can help.
• Custom Orthotics: If abnormal foot mechanics or structure are contributing, custom-made orthotics prescribed by our podiatrists can help correct alignment, redistribute pressure evenly, and reduce the forces causing the corn/callus formation.
• Moisturizers: Recommending specific creams (often containing urea or salicylic acid in appropriate concentrations) to help soften the skin – used as directed by your podiatrist.
• Avoidance of Medicated Corn Plasters (Caution): Over-the-counter corn plasters often contain strong acids that can damage healthy surrounding skin, especially in individuals with fragile skin, diabetes, or poor circulation, potentially leading to infection or ulcers. Professional advice is recommended before using these.

Surgical Options

Surgery is rarely needed for corns and calluses themselves. However, if the corn or callus is caused by an underlying bony prominence or foot deformity (like a hammertoe or bunion) that doesn’t respond to conservative care, surgery might be considered to correct the underlying structural problem. This would be discussed with you by our podiatrists at Fine Podiatry Clinic if relevant.

Constraint Check: Treatment options outlined briefly, emphasizing professional debridement and orthotics, cautioning against risky self-treatment, and keeping surgical details minimal/conceptual.

Preventing corns and calluses involves reducing pressure and friction:

• Wear Properly Fitting Shoes: Ensure shoes are the right size (length and width), have a roomy toe box, low heels, and good cushioning. Avoid shoes that rub or pinch.
• Use Socks: Wear well-fitting socks to reduce friction. Choose moisture-wicking materials if your feet sweat a lot.
• Moisturize Feet Regularly: Keep skin hydrated and supple with a good foot cream (ask your podiatrist for recommendations).
• Gentle Exfoliation: Use a pumice stone or foot file gently on damp skin after bathing to help manage mild callus build-up – avoid if you have diabetes or poor circulation. Never try to cut corns or calluses yourself.
• Check Feet Daily: Especially if you have diabetes, inspect your feet for any red spots, blisters, or early signs of corns/calluses.
• Address Underlying Issues: Use orthotics as prescribed and manage foot deformities with guidance from Fine Podiatry Clinic.