At our Oakville Foot Clinic, our Chiropodist as well as our Physio’s see a a variety of foot ankle issues. Frequently our Physiotherapists, while treating someone for an ankle sprain, plantar fasciitis, achilles tendonitis or arthritis, recognize other foot and toenail issues that would be ideally assessed and treated by a Foot Specialist like Chiropodist (Podiatric Foot Care Specialist) Brittney. One of these issues is corns on the bottom of the feet. People often mistake a Corn for a Callus or a Wart. Corns and calluses on the foot can be annoying but they are there as a protective mechanism. They also give your Chiropodist or Physio an idea of how you are walking, running and accepting weight through your foot. In our experience at our North Oakville Physio, Massage, and Footcare clinic, while common in and aging foot, it is not only Seniors who experience Corns, Calluses, bunions and issues with the feet.
What is a Corn:
A Corn is a small patch or small circle of dead, thickened skin with a central core. They usually develop on the tops and sides of toes or on the bottom (plantar surface) of the foot. Corns are often caused by wearing improperly fitting shoes or designs of shoes that put excess pressure on a localized area of the foot. Corns can develop on feet because there’s less natural cushioning. They can also develop as a result of other foot issues like bunions and hammer toes.
DO:
If you have Corns on your foot / feet it is important to have it assessed properly by a Chiropodist. They will then provide you with the best treatment options.
DON’T:
DON’T WAIT until it is painful or is causing you difficulty with walking. Corns won’t get better unless the cause of the pressure is removed. If the cause is not removed, the skin could become thicker and more painful over time.
DO:
A corn is a symptom of an underlying problem. There are many home options available that can work well when guided by a Chiropodist / Foot Care Specialist. It’s important to have your foot issue properly assessed in order to have the earliest and best treatment for it.
DON’T:
Over-the-counter treatments for corns, such as corn plasters, are available from Pharmacists. However, they do not treat the underlying cause of the corn and may negatively affect the normal, thinner skin surrounding the corn. Certain home treatments may not be suitable for some people, such as those with Diabetes, circulation problems or fragile skin.
DO:
For those with Diabetes, sensory issues in the feet, or numb feet, it is extremely important to have proper identification and treatment by a Chiropodist at a foot clinic as some possible secondary complications of corns and calluses on the feet can be dangerous. In these cases it is important to have treatment by Podiatric Foot Care Specialist for identification purposes but also to ensure that the tools used treatment have been properly sterilized to avoid infection in the area.
DON’T:
Whatever your health status is do not try to to cut the corn or callus yourself. You could make it (more) painful or risking infection.
DO:
If have foot pain, irregularities in the skin surface of your feet, or believe you have corns, calluses or warts, CALL our North Oakville Foot Clinic to have a Podiatric Foot Assessment and Treatment. During your appointment, Brittney, the Chiropodist / Foot Specialist will be able to assess your feet and provide a thorough treatment and work with you regarding treatment options.