2 Foot Productions

Basic Foot Care for Nurses and Carers across Australia

Corns What are corns? What causes corns? Where will you find corns? What happens if you don’t treat a corn? What can you do to help?

What are corns?

Corns are a build-up of hard skin, generally overlying an area that is subject to pressure. Corns are focal areas of hard skin, unlike callous – which is more diffuse.

Corns appear as hard lumps of white or yellowish skin.

They are generally smaller than a five cent piece and are tender when you apply pressure.

What causes corns?

Corns are caused by pressure.

Most of the time, corns are caused by shoes rubbing and pressing on the foot.

Sometimes this is because the shoes are too small, sometimes because the foot itself is just a shape that makes it difficult to find anything to fit.

Corns can be caused by poor foot mechanics and loss of fatty padding under the foot. Basically this means there is an uneven distribution of pressure on the foot with no way to absorb the extra pressure.

Sometimes corns are caused by past trauma such as a broken bone or over a scar from foot surgery.

Where will you find corns?

The main areas are on the toes – over the joints and on the tips of the toes.
Also check in between the toes. Corns that form in between the toes are often called soft corns. As it can get quite damp in between the toes, the hard skin gets macerated (or soggy) and these corns will look like a build up of white skin and are often confused for tinea.
You will also find corns on other bony prominences that rub against shoes.
Look for corns underneath the foot – particularly under the joints along the ball of the foot.
Corns, known as seed corns, can sometimes be found in non-weight bearing areas and often on the heel.

What happens if you don’t treat a corn?

Corns can get very painful.
If left untreated they can affect a persons balance, as they try to alter the way they walk to relieve the pressure over the corn.
Corns can break down underneath.

The constant pressure on the skin beneath the corn can lead to a wound, infection and even ulceration. This is particularly a concern for people with reduced feeling in their feet as they will continue to walk on a corn, without any pain to tell them they have a problem.

What can you do to help?

Addressing the cause of the corn is the biggest step. Carefully assess the residents footwear to see if any improvements can be made there. Sometimes a new pair of shoes will be in order. Sometimes stretching a pair of existing shoes will help.

Simple alterations to shoes can also be done.

With permission, a small slit can be put in the upper of a shoe, or a small hole cut out. This can be professionally done and filled in with a piece of softer material. Yes – you will end up with a hole in the shoe, but that is better than a hole in a toe. And what good is an expensive pair of shoes if they are causing problems anyway? Surely it is better to do a slight alteration than leaving them to sit in the bottom of a cupboard.

If the corns are on the bottom of the feet – a soft cushioning insole can make them feel more comfortable. And sometimes a firmer device can help redistribute pressure over the whole foot, help the foot function more efficiently and possibly reduce the severity of the corns.

If the corns are on the toes there are some fantastic toe sleeve products out there on the market. They stop shoes from pressing and rubbing , and the silicon in them can help soften a hard corn. These can be washed and re-used over and over. They are easy to find at the pharmacy or supermarket.

There is also tubi-foam which can be cut and shaped into all sorts or paddings.

If corns are in between the toes – there are spaces of all sorts to try. Silicon, rubber, foam and don’t forget the good old lambs wool and even gauze can help when nothing else is available.

Stick on paddings suck as mole skin can be useful – but need to be replaced so are generally not as economical. Some resident’s skin will be too delicate to use these products on.

If there is any sign of infection or trauma to the area, wash the area with saline and dress it. Regular flushing with saline and good wound management may help avoid the need for anti-biotics in a small localized infection. To prevent a corn from becoming grossly infected – all the dead hard skin will need to be removed, and a podiatrist should do this. Of course, if someone has diabetes or poor circulation, and a foot infection is suspected, careful and constant monitoring and consultation with a GP will be required. A podiatrist can help you look after corns by debriding the area – or cutting away the dead skin. In cases where corns are a painful and recurring problem a consultation with a podiatrist is always recommended.

Please note – never use an acid preparation, or corn removal device on another persons foot unless you are trained to do so.

Infection and ulceration is common with incorrect usage of these products. You will note on the backs of these devices a warning against using them if you have diabetes or poor circulation. Most older people have reduced circulation. If this sort or treatment is needed – perhaps a consolation with a podiatrist is warranted instead.

Please note – never use an acid preparation, or corn removal device on another persons foot unless you are trained to do so.