Do you also have rough skin on your hands and feet? Let's talk about corns and calluses!

Do you sometimes feel like your hands, or especially your feet, on your fingers or on the soles of your feet, have thickened and cracked skin? Sometimes these can even cause a little pain when you walk. Many people have this experience. Today we are going to talk about these thickenings of the skin, which are called corns and calluses . There is nothing to worry about, these are usually not serious diseases, but they can be a bit annoying if not treated properly.

What are corns and calluses? Simply put...

Simply put, corns and calluses are small, hard, raised bumps on your skin. They are actually formed by your body itself, meaning that when there is constant pressure, rubbing, or rubbing on an area of ​​your skin, the skin thickens to protect that area. While they can develop anywhere on your body, they are most commonly found on your hands, fingers, and especially your feet.

So what is the difference between a corn and a callus?

Both are actually made of the same type of thickened skin, but there are some slight differences:

• Corns: These are usually small, round-shaped bumps. You'll most likely see corns on the tops of your toes or on the sides of your feet.
• Calluses: Calluses are large, flat, irregularly shaped areas of thickened skin . Calluses are larger than corns. They are most commonly found on the soles of your feet, where you bear weight when you walk – the heel, under the big toe, the front of the foot, and the sides of the foot. It is normal to have some calluses on the soles of your feet.

You can also see calluses on your hands. For example, calluses develop on the fingertips of someone who plays the guitar, the hands of someone who does gymnastics, the hands of someone who lifts weights, or the hands of someone who does carpentry work because they rub their hands all the time.

What types of cones are there?

There are also different types of cones:

• Hard corns: These are small, hard, thick bumps. They usually have a little bit of thickening around them. They most often occur on the toes, where the skin presses against the bone.
• Soft corns: These are whitish-gray in color and have a slightly rubbery feel to them. They are found between the toes.
• Seed corns: These are very small and usually develop on the soles of the feet.

What do cones and calluses look like?

Both of these have special features in their appearance.

Appearance of cones:

• Small, round, raised, thickened bumps. The skin around these bumps may be slightly red and sore.
• These raised bumps can be painful when touched or pressed.

Appearance of callas:

• Thick, hard, large, usually flat areas of skin.
• These calluses are less sensitive than the surrounding normal skin.

Common features that both may have:

• Thickening of the skin in an area where there is frequent friction or pressure.
• Sometimes pain, redness, and blisters may occur.

Are corns and calluses painful?

They may or may not be painful. Some corns and calluses are painless when they first form, but they can become painful as they get thicker. Corns, especially if they are raised, can be painful or tender to the touch or when you press on them. Calluses are usually less sensitive than the surrounding skin. However, sometimes a callus can develop fissures . These fissures can be painful. If one of your corns or calluses becomes infected, you will definitely feel pain or at least discomfort.

What causes corns and calluses?

The causes of both are largely similar. They are:

• Wearing ill-fitting shoes: This is the main reason for corns to form on the toes. If the shoes are too tight, or if some parts of the shoe rub against the skin, this causes friction and pressure. People who wear high heels regularly also develop calluses on the front of the soles of their feet, because there is a lot of pressure when walking.
• Standing for long periods of time, walking, running.
• Certain hobbies, sports, or jobs that cause constant pressure or friction on the skin of the hands, fingers, or legs. (e.g., farmers, heavy lifters)
• Walking barefoot.
• Not wearing socks when putting on shoes.
• The lining inside the socks or shoes is rolled up and gathered inside the shoes.
• Walking incorrectly - This means walking with your weight on either the inside or outside of your foot.
• Structural changes or disorders of the feet: For example, conditions such as hammertoes (bowed toes), tailor's bunions , bunions (swelling of the big toe), or congenital deformities.

How are cones and calluses formed?

Corns and calluses develop when your skin is constantly exposed to friction, rubbing, pressure, or irritation. They usually develop on the legs, where there are bony areas, such as the soles of the feet. On the hands (mostly calluses), they develop where the skin is constantly rubbing.

In fact, these thickened layers of skin called corns and calluses are like a protective shield that your body creates to protect the skin underneath from pressure and irritation.

Who is more likely to develop these?

You are more likely to develop corns and calluses if you:

• If you already have conditions that change the normal position of the bones in your legs. For example, conditions like arthritis, bunions, bone spurs, or hammertoes.
• If you are someone who wears shoes without socks.
• If you wear shoes that are too narrow for your feet.
• If the natural cushioning/padding in your legs has decreased or worn out.

What complications can occur due to corns and calluses?

If you don't find the cause of their formation, treat it properly, and treat it properly, corns and calluses can get bigger.

Sometimes corns or calluses can become infected. If this happens, the pain can increase and walking can become difficult. In such cases, you may need to take antibiotics , and sometimes even have surgery.

How to identify corns and calluses?

A doctor can tell if your corns or calluses are corns by looking at your skin. No special tests are needed. The doctor can usually tell just by looking at your skin. The doctor may ask you questions about your job, how much time you spend standing and walking, and the activities you do. If your corns or calluses are on your feet, the doctor will ask you to walk around, observe your posture and the way you walk. They will also ask about your shoes and how you take care of your feet.

How to remove corns and calluses? Things you can do at home

Treatment depends on your symptoms and the cause of the condition. However, if it's a simple corn or callus, the best treatment is to remove the hardened skin. Follow these steps:

Removal steps:

1. Soak the area where the corn or callus is (for example, your foot) in lukewarm water for about 5 to 10 minutes. This will soften the skin.

2. Wet a pumice stone or emery board.

3. While the skin on your feet is still soft, take a pumice stone or emery board and gently scrape away the dead skin over the corn or callus. Only scrape in one direction.

4. Be careful! Don't remove too much skin. Doing so can cause bleeding and infection.

5. Then, apply a moisturizing cream or lotion to the corn/callus and the surrounding dead skin every day. Look for products that contain urea or ammonium lactate . These ingredients will soften the skin over time.

Other care methods:

• Use donut-style adhesive pads around your corn or callus, or make your own donut pads from moleskin pads (the cone should be in the middle of the hole in the donut) . These are available at pharmacies. These pads will protect the corn/callus from rubbing and reduce pain and pressure.
• Wear shoes that fit well and are the right size. Choose shoes that are wider and taller at the toe. It's best to wear shoes in the evening when your feet are a little swollen.
• Keep your nails short. Long nails can cause your toes to rub against your shoes, increasing friction and pressure. Cut your nails straight across, don't round the corners.
• If your corns or calluses are painful, apply an ice pack for 10-20 minutes to reduce pain and swelling.

Important: Don't do these things!

Never try to cut, scrape, or remove corns or calluses with a sharp instrument (e.g., razor blades, scissors).

If you have diabetes , poor circulation, are prone to infections, or have very sensitive skin, do not try to treat this at home. See a doctor.

Is it better to use over-the-counter medications?

Some of the lotions and plasters available at pharmacies to dissolve corns and calluses contain harsh chemicals. If you don't apply them to the right area, they can damage the surrounding healthy skin. If you have diabetes, don't use these products at all. Diabetes can cause foot complications, so be sure to see a doctor.

Could surgery be necessary?

In most cases, corns and calluses can be controlled by following the simple methods mentioned in this article, which include soaking them in lukewarm water and removing them with a pumice stone.

However, if you have persistent corns or calluses due to a structural deformity on your foot or toe, your doctor may consider surgery. In such cases, a surgeon may need to remove or realign a portion of the bone. Other reasons why surgery may be necessary include if the corns/calluses are very painful, making it difficult to walk normally, or if they are causing persistent infections, injuries, or tissue breakdown.

Can corns and calluses be prevented?

Our feet are a part of our body that we often overlook until a problem arises. With a little attention and care, you can often prevent corns and calluses from forming. Keep these tips in mind:

• Wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes. Your shoes should provide good support for your feet, be well-cushioned, and have a shock-absorbing sole. The toe box should be long and wide enough to accommodate your toes, so they don't rub against the shoe or other toes. This means avoiding shoes with high heels or narrow toes (which can push your toes forward and rub against the shoe or each other). If you wear shoes with hard soles or leather soles, look for padding (or add your own).
• Put on socks when putting on shoes. Make sure they are tucked in so that they don't roll inside.
• Use cushioned or padded insoles. If you have a history of corns or calluses, ask your doctor about custom-made insoles. These can help balance the way your feet bear weight and prevent calluses from forming. Also, use lamb's wool (not cotton) to reduce friction between your toes and heal soft corns.
• Wear gloves when working with heavy or rough materials that can damage the skin on your hands.
• Check your feet every day and keep them clean. Wash your feet with warm soapy water, dry them, and apply a moisturizing cream. This will keep your skin soft and smooth.

In addition, keep your nails short, don't walk barefoot, and if you have sweaty feet, apply powder to your feet every day to keep them dry.

Can I come back after I recover?

Corns and calluses are caused by friction, irritation, or pressure on your skin, and if you don't address the cause , they can come back at any time. In other words, they may have been caused by ill-fitting shoes, and if you keep wearing the same shoes, there's a good chance that the corns and calluses will grow back.

Fortunately, most corns and calluses can be successfully treated at home with a little care and attention. If you have any concerns about a bump on your foot, see a doctor. They are best able to examine your feet, ask about other medical conditions you may have, perform tests if necessary, treat your feet, and give you advice on how to care for them.

When do you need to see a doctor?

You should definitely see a doctor in cases like these:

• If you have diabetes. People with diabetes may have reduced sensation in their feet, which is a condition called peripheral neuropathy, meaning they may not feel pain properly. People with diabetes also have poor blood supply to their feet, which can delay healing. Corns and calluses can also become infected.
• If you have other underlying diseases or conditions that increase your risk of developing infections, or if your skin is very sensitive.
• If your corns or calluses don't heal with home treatments .
• Do you think that corns and calluses are constantly forming due to an abnormal structure or position of the bones ?
• If your corns or calluses are painful, the pain is getting worse, or you think they are infected. Signs of an infection include redness, pain, swelling, and pus-like fluid draining from the corn/callus.
• If your leg pain is severe, or you feel uncomfortable walking, and you don't know what's causing it.

What questions should you ask the doctor?

You can ask the doctor questions like:

• Do I have a corn or a callus?
• Doctor, how do you think I got this?
• What can I do at home for this? Does the doctor recommend it?
• What should I do to prevent things like this from happening in the future?

What is the difference between a wart and a callus?

There is a type of wart called a plantar wart , which can develop on the soles of the feet. These warts look similar to calluses, but they have small black dots in the middle. However, warts are caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) that enters your skin through a cut or scratch and causes an infection. Calluses are not caused by a virus, but by friction between the skin and the skin.

Finally (Take-Home Message)

Even if your shoes are nice, if they're tight, don't wear them – you could develop a corn or callus. If it's too late, meaning you've already developed one, the good news is that most corns and calluses aren't serious. You can usually treat them at home.

But remember, if you have diabetes or any other underlying condition that increases your risk of infection, see a doctor for treatment. Don't let something small, if not taken care of, become a big problem. Take care of your feet!

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