Corn on Foot – Thickening of the Foot Skin

Corn on the foot is a form of callus or thickening that develops in areas under regular pressure. These thickenings are extremely painful, and there are numerous treatment methods through which they can be treated immediately to gain respite from the pain.

PHOTO BY FQAMAR

Corn on Foot - a Painful Condition

Foot corn develops due to persistent pressure on a particular portion of the foot. In this case, a painful thickening develops and the phenomenon is also termed as hyperkeratosis. The corn on foot is a highly localized, small and circular shaped thickening which usually has a whitish appearance. The main reason behind the formation of a corn is the natural defence mechanism of the body, which prepares the foot by thickening of regions facing the most friction. It has been noted that tight footwear, distorted foot anatomy such as a hammer toe, or irregular foot movement in gait patients, are the main reasons behind corn on foot. In very rare cases, corns have also been found to develop on the fingers and palm regions.

Corn Treatment - Getting Rid of Pain

There are many corn treatment available in the market these days, most of which are in the form of medication like ointments. The ointments are specially formulated using chemicals which clear the dead skin in the corn area and also bring down the thickness of the skin. The basic formulation of these medications involve the use of salicylic acid, which is the most common chemical used for skin disease treatments. Salicylic acid functions in corn treatment by peeling off the extra skin by dissolving the excessive keratin deposition. Various forms in which one can avail the medication for corn include applicators, drops, plasters, and padding material. However, there are certain limitations when it comes to the use of salicylic acid and proper medical consultation before use is strictly advised.

Corn Removal - Relief from Pain

Although the corn removal surgery can be taken up by any person at any stage of the condition, it is mostly suggested for people with cases which cannot be treated by medication. In such cases, the patients are required to consult a doctor who would assess the gravity of the situation and the following plan of action. Usually, even in the worst cases, the doctor starts with a fixed routine of medicine application to bring down the keratinization level. Following that, a localized surgery is conducted wherein the corn is precisely removed and the skin is filled and bandaged to keep from infection. The patient is required to wear the bandage for some time till normal skin covering develops on the area. However, the surgery procedures do not ensure that the corn will never develop again, as that depends on the friction faced by your foot.