Seed corns and other foot corns are painful and annoying dry bumps that can appear on your foot. As you know, not all conditions that can be found on your foot are contagious. So are seeds corns contagious, and will you need corn removal surgery to get rid of them?
Are Seed Corns Contagious – Is There Evidence for That?
Seed corns are not contagious as they form because of the rubbing and fraction of the skin. They can be mistaken for plantar wart, which is a condition that is caused by infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), which is contagious. Even though these two conditions look similar, there are ways to tell the difference. Plantar warts usually have black dots inside them and can grow in size, while seed corns are always small. If you don’t know which condition you have, visit your doctor.
What Are Seed Corns and What Causes Them?
Seed corns are small corn formations that usually show on the ball of the foot. It is a condition that is formed as a skin defensive mechanism against constant rubbing, friction, and pressure. The seed corn usually comes together with callus, which is why sometimes an inexperienced eye can mix this condition with a plantar wart, which is contagious.
What Are Some Factors That Can Contribute to the Formation of Seed Corns
The main reason why foot corn appears is due to constant pressure and rubbing of the skin of the foot. If we don’t have a balanced walk due to some of many factors, there are more likely chances that foot corn and seed corn will appear.
Foot Structure and Genetics
Many foot conditions that change the shape of the foot, such as flat feet and high arches, can cause seed corn formation. People with flat feet or high arches put more pressure on one area of the foot, which can lead to rubbing of the skin and the formation of seed corns.
Choosen Footwear
Ill-fitting footwear is the leading factor that causes seed corn, aside from other foot conditions. Shoes that are too tight and high heels can all cause bad posture and imbalance in walking, which can lead to the formation of seed corn on your foot.
How to Prevent Seed Corns?
Aside from wearing comfortable and fitting shoes, there are some things you can do to prevent seed corn formation. Here are some of the most important prevention measures.
Maintaining Proper Foot Hygiene
Regularly soaking your feet in warm salty water will soften the skin and will make it easier for you to remove dead skin that is naturally forming. Use a pumice stone to remove all the hard skin, and apply moisturizing cream to make sure your skin remains soft.
Taking Breaks and Stretching during Physical Activity
Another factor that can contribute to seed corn formation is excessive exercise. To prevent pressure making on the foot area when you exercise, make sure you take breaks and stretch your foot frequently. And if you see that your shoes do not support your exercise routine, change them.
What Is the Best Treatment of Seed Corns?
The best way to get rid of corn is to do corn removal surgery, especially if the corns are painful and uncomfortable. Luckily, small seed corns can be easily cured with home treatments. Here are some of them.
Over-The-Counter Remedies
These are the products that contain salicylic acid, and they are available as liquid and pads. Don’t use these products if you have diabetes or problems with circulation.
Prescription Medications
Your doctor can advise you to take keratolytic medications, which also come as pads, gels, or creams. These medications are available without a prescription, but their application is better with the guidance of a doctor.
Solutions with salicylic acid, urea, hydrocolloid dressings, and silver nitrate can all be used for corn treatment.
When Should You Book Consultation with a Foot Specialist?
If you have seed corn that becomes infected, you should seek medical attention immediately. Also, if you have problems with bad circulation, diabetes, and heart conditions, the corns should be treated with the guidance of a doctor.
Talk to Your Surgeon in Miami and Get Rid of Seed Corns Fast
If the corns continue to appear even if you change the shoes, you may have some other foot condition that needs to be treated, so contact Luxe Foot Surgery and schedule an appointment with our surgeon to see what are the causes of these issues. You can contact us from Monday to Friday if you have any foot-related problems.
FAQ
How Long Does It Take for a Seed Corn to Go Away?
If you self-treat the seed corn, you should see results in several months.
How Do Seed Corns Happen?
This issue occurs due to constant rubbing and a fraction of the foot skiing due to high pressure.
How Do You Get Seed Corn off Your Foot?
You can undergo surgical removal of seed corn or use over-the-counter home remedies that contain salicylic acid.
Can Corn Disease Spread?
Seed corn or any other corn does not spread from one person to another because they are not caused by bacterial, fungal, or viral infection. Still, they can become infected.
References
- Gurnee Podiatry & Sports Medicine Assoc. (n.d.). What is the Difference Between Plantar Wart and Corn? Retrieved from https://drschoene.com/press/doc-blog/what-is-the-difference-between-plantar-wart-and-corn/
- Healthline Media. (2021, January 19). How to Identify and Treat Seed Corns on Feet. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/seed-corn-on-foot#seed-corn-vs-plantar-wart
- NHS. (2018, December 21). Corns and Calluses. Retrieved from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/corns-and-calluses/
- National Library of Medicine. (2018). Corns and Calluses. In StatPearls. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470374/
- Mayo Clinic. (2021, March 23). Corns and Calluses. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/corns-and-calluses/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355951
