People often use the terms callus and corns interchangeably, but they don’t refer to the same condition. In this article, we explore the two conditions, so you can know the difference between corn and callus, what causes corns and calluses, and how to treat them. It’s important to figure out if you have a corn vs callus since they have different treatments. People often use the terms callus and corns interchangeably, but they don’t refer to the same condition.Feet Corn and Feet Callus

In this article, we explore the two conditions, so you can know the difference between corn and callus, what causes corns and calluses, and how to treat them. It’s important to figure out if you have a corn vs callus since they have different treatments.

 

What Is Foot Callus

What Is Foot Corn
A callus refers to an area of skin that has become thick and hardened due to pressure, friction, or irritation. It is pale or yellowish in color and feels lumpy to the touch. However, it may be less sensitive to the touch compared with the surrounding skin, thanks to the thickness of the skin. Calluses are rarely painful and often occur on the feet. However, you can also develop calluses on hands. A corn refers to a small section of skin that has become thickened as a result of pressure on it. It is virtually round in shape. A corn can be painful as it presses into deeper layers of skin. You can develop a soft corn between toes, especially between the fourth and fifth toes, or a hard corn on top of your smaller toes. Hard corns can also affect the outer side of the little toes.

What Causes Feet Calluses

What Causes Feet Corns
Wondering what causes callus on feet? Foot calluses develop when the skin rubs against a shoe, a bone, the ground, or something else. Activities that continuously exert pressure on the feet, such as running barefoot, can result in the formation of calluses. Other possible causes of calluses on feet include:

  • Extremely dry and sensitive skin.
  • Inadequate fatty padding, especially among elderly people as they have less fatty tissue in their skin.
 A corn on foot is normally caused by:

  • Wearing poorly fitting shoes. Shoes that are too loose allow your feet to slide and rub.
  • Some shoe designs that put too much pressure on a part of your foot, such as high-heeled shoes that squeeze the toes.
  • Bony feet are susceptible to corns as they lack natural cushioning. Corns may also develop as symptoms of other foot problems such as a bunion or hammer toe.

How to Get Rid of Calluses

How to Get Rid of Corns
There are plenty of ways to treat calluses yourself, and plantar callus surgery is rarely necessary. Here are some foot callus removal methods you can try:

  • Warm water – Soak the callused area in warm water for 20 minutes. Then towel-dry your skin and gently rub a layer of the callus away with your finger. You should be able to get rid of the callus over the course of several soaking sessions.
  • Non-medicated callus pads – You can apply callus pads that consist of felt, silicone, and gentle adhesive to the affected area. The pads will protect the callus from irritation by shoes or socks as it heals.
  • Apple cider vinegar – Soak the callus for about 20 minutes in a solution of one part apple cider vinegar and four parts water. Afterwards, you may be able to better peel away the layers of the callus one at a time.
 Wondering how to remove a corn on foot? Here are some foot corn removal methods you can try at home:

  • Pumice stone – Soak your corn in warm water for a few minutes and then file away the softened foot corn with a wet pumice stone. A nail file or an emery board can also do the trick.
  • Apply lotion to the corn – A moisturizing lotion or cream with salicylic acid can help dissolve the keratin protein that makes up the foot corn and dead skin around it.
  • Use corn pads – Corns pads prevent excess pressure or friction around the corn. The pads are donut-shaped to redistribute the pressure around the foot corn.

Warning! If you are diabetic, you should not use any corn or callus treatment without consulting your doctor!

 

 

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