Corns, also called helomas or hyperkeratoses, are areas of thickened skin that develop on the feet, usually where a bone presses against the inside of shoes. They may be painful and generally appear as rough cores with a ring of yellowish dead skin around it. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), there are two types of corns: hard corns and soft corns. Hard corns typically develop on the top of the toe or the side of the small toe. Soft corns are similar to open sores and develop between the toes in response to the toes rubbing against each other. Toe deformities and poorly fitting shoes and socks are the primary causes of recurrent corns.
Foot Protection
A change of footwear may remove corns caused by pressure or friction from poorly fitting shoes or socks. Avoid shoes that are narrow at the toes or have very high heels. Wearing shoes with cushioned soles and a soft upper lining increases padding and reduces friction. Athletic socks or socks made of polyester-cotton blend are best for preventing and treating corns, according to the Mayo Clinic. This is because they wick moisture away from the feet until the corns heals and provide additional padding to minimize pressure on protruding bones.
Wearing corn pads, which are donut-shaped pads, inside the shoes will take pressure off of corns. Custom shoe inserts, called orthotics, may be necessary for severe corns.
Medications
Salicylic acid is the only over-the-counter medication that is both effective and safe at removing corns, according to QuickCare. This medication works by burning away the dead, hardened skin that makes up the corn's core. Pad products containing salicylic acid are generally more effective than topical products, as wearing the pad keeps the medication in contact with the corn for a longer period and enables deeper penetration of the medication. Using a pumice stone every two to three days while treating corns with salicylic acid may speed recovery, and application of petroleum jelly to the skin around the corn will reduce irritation and pain from the medication.
Patches containing 40 percent salicylic acid work more quickly than over-the-counter products, but these are only available by prescription. The Mayo Clinic states that some doctors prescribe a course of antibiotics during corn removal to prevent infection from cuts in the skin around the corn.
Filing and Cutting
Small corns can be removed by soaking the affected foot in warm, soapy water, and then using a pumice stone to file away the dead, hardened skin. The Mayo Clinic warns that anyone with diabetes or a compromised immune system should not use a pumice stone to treat corns due to a higher risk of infection. Corns can also be cut away by a doctor on an outpatient basis, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Toe deformities must be surgically corrected to prevent recurrence of corns. When a single protruding bone is responsible for the development of a corn, a podiatrist can make an incision in the toe and grind down the bone to reduce pressure and irritation. Recovery from this procedure is brief and relief is typically rapid.
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