The graceful movements of ballet dancers are often bought at the expense of their feet. Ballerinas frequently refer to "dancer's feet" as the cost of years spent on their toes. Corns on the bottom of the feet are among the most common foot issues experienced by dancers. While the condition is not dangerous and unlikely to cause long-term problems, corns look unattractive. Very large corns may interfere with movement and require sufferers to purchase shoes in larger sizes.
About Corns
Corns form when excess skin builds up. The medical term for this process is hyperkeratosis. The skin typically feels dry and may peel off. The condition is almost always caused by too much pressure and can be self-perpetuating. Pressure on a particular area of the foot can result in a corn, and the corn then increases the pressure that shoes and movement exert on the area, resulting in even more skin buildup.
Ill-Fitting Shoes
While most people avoid poorly fitting shoes, ballet dancers must, by definition, wear them. Pointe shoes require dancers' feet to bend into an unnatural position, creating pressure around the edges of the toes and bottoms of the feet. Shoes that are too tight, too loose or that do not conform properly to the arches of the feet can exacerbate this problem.
Weight Distribution
Many dancers naturally favor one foot or the other and place slightly more of their weight on this foot. While this can make jumping and balancing easier in the short term, it increases the long-term probability of injury and is especially likely to cause callouses and corns. Focus on learning how to balance evenly on both feet.
Genetics
Some people are genetically predisposed toward developing corns, according to the textbook "Biology: Life on Earth with Physiology." Less pressure will result in more severe corns among this group than in people who are not predisposed to corns.
Treatment and Prevention
Some over-the-counter remedies can effectively reduce the size of corns, but without lifestyle changes they are likely to continue coming back. Wrapping the areas of your toes and feet in which you have developed corns can prevent them from growing and increase the success rate of over-the-counter remedies. If your corns cause pain during ballet, consult a podiatrist.
References
- Mayo Clinic Family Health Book; Mayo Clinic
- Biology: Life on Earth with Physiology; Gerald Audesirk et al.
- Preventing Dance Injuries; Ruth Solomon
- epodiatry.com: Foot Corns and Callouses
