24/02/2025
Corns and calluses are thick, hardened layers of skin that develop when the body tries to protect itself against friction or pressure. They often form on feet and toes -sometimes because of the bone structure of our feet, especially with age related changes, but also from our footwear. Changes to the way we walk as we age can also be a big cause of calluses and corns
It is not advisable to cut corns yourself, especially if you are elderly or have diabetes. The one big piece of advice I give to all my clients is..... be careful about using corn plasters, as they contain acids than can burn the healthy skin around the corn, which often leads to serious problems such as infection. People with diabetes, poor circulation or a reduced immune system should not self-treat, but instead seek advice from a Foot Care Specialist
As a Foot Health Practitioner I am able to remove corns painlessly, apply padding to relieve pressure or fit corrective appliances for long-term relief. For callus, I am also be able to remove hard skin, relieve pain and redistribute pressure with soft padding, or corrective appliances that fit easily into your shoes. The skin should then return to its normal state. For issues caused by an altered walking pattern (gait) after reducing the callus, I refer a client on to a podiatrist specialising in gait analysis/biomechanics to look at whether custom made insoles are required.
