What exactly are corns?
These are hardened, yellowish areas on the feet, separated from the rest of the skin, causing great discomfort when walking. They arise as a result of continuous pressure on tissues, e.g. as a result of poorly selected shoes, but also as a result of bone pressure on tissues. As a result of pressure and friction, keratosis occurs at this point, eventually taking the form of a hard cone-shaped core, which presses the tissues, growing deeper over time, causing pain.
There are as many as 9 types of corns in podiatry. The most common place for corns is the metatarsus (part of the foot below the toes), but we can also find them on the toes (on the phalanges), in the nail shafts or even under the nail plate (under the nail plate) - the podiatrist can handle all of them
During the treatment
After correct diagnosis, the podiatrist may apply a local exfoliant, and the treatment covers only the site of the lesion. Podiatrists also have other methods to remove the imprint, e.g. with the use of podological tools - chisels, scalpel or with the use of a milling machine and special vacuum cutters. Treatments are always performed with sterile tools. It is also important to know that the correct removal of the imprint is not painful. After the procedure, a dressing is applied. The patient is informed about the possible need for another visit and instructed on how to perform further care at home. Podiatry and the therapeutic methods used by it give us the possibility of individual selection of appropriate specialized inserts, orthoses, and relieves minimizing the possibility of similar changes in the future.
How can I prevent corns from forming?
It is extremely important to choose the right, comfortable footwear. In the case of identified irregularities in the construction of the foot - the use of properly selected inserts that absorb pressure. Proper home care is also important, among others: thorough drying of the feet / interdigital spaces after bathing, taking great care when performing "home pedicure", preventing cuts, infections, and excessive softening of the epidermis. Regular visits to podiatry offices will help to dispel all doubts, get rid of the changes, but also give you knowledge about proper daily home care.