CORNS & CALLUS CARE | HELOMAS & HYPERKERATOSIS
Corns (Helomas) and callus (Hyperkeratosis / Tyloma) develop from pressure to an area. For example, if you work vigorously with your hands all day, the natural physiological response of the body will be to build up thicker skin in the pressure areas. Corns and callus can be either normal or abnormal and become pathological if left untreated or if the pressure is chronic. Corns and callus are very common in the foot because of the pressure taken with each step we take. A foot that is more rigid usually is much more likely to present with callus or corn formation. Patients who suffer from a corn or a callus often complain of pain - feeling as though they are walking on something hard like a pebble.
TREATMENT
Treatment of corns and callus involves removing the pressure - best done with prescription custom foot orthotics. At the Royal City Foot Clinic our Chiropodists can assess, prescribe, and fit you for custom orthotics if they are deemed necessary. You do not need a referral from your family doctor. In addition, the callus or corn should always be removed. This can be done by regular debridement treatments and filing. Moisturizing the skin helps your body slop off dead skin cells and can help with pressure in the area. It is hard to completely remove pressure areas on the foot because of the nature of walking on our feet, however, the most effective method is to offload the pressure area through the use of custom foot orthotics. In rare cases, if the callus or corn is very severe, surgery or wound care may be required.
WITHOUT TREATMENT
Pain to the area is the most common symptom of untreated corns and callus. Often blood may form within the callus. This is known as a hematoma. If pressure continues the skin underneath the callus may open and an ulcer can form. This ultimately can cause scar tissue in the area, which becomes even more prone to callus formation causing additional damage. All callus should be monitored and treated regularly by a foot specialist.
