There are a few reasons why corn and calluses might appear on the pressure points of your feet. While it’s nothing serious at first, if the situation is left untreated or the cause of their development is not dealt with, they can gradually grow and become a large corn on foot. This can potentially result in an infection or needing to undergo corn removal surgery, so it’s best to know everything about how to prevent this from happening.
Is There a Way to Prevent Large Corn on Foot?
No matter if you’re dealing with soft, hard, or seed corn, these bumps of thickened skin usually develop around the bony parts of your feet. Caused by frequent pressure and friction, they can gradually grow in size if this irritation keeps on happening.
Minimizing that repeated irritation is the best way to prevent corn from developing or growing in size. Here are the most important things you can do to avoid large corn from forming and potentially becoming so serious that your only option is corn surgery removal.
Get Shoes With Plenty of Room
Wearing uncomfortable, ill-fitting shoes for long periods of time can cause a lot of unpleasant pressure and friction on certain parts of your foot, and this can easily result in foot corn developing. So, it’s essential to always wear shoes that fit just right, and keep in mind that while you certainly don’t want your feet to be squeezed inside, they also shouldn’t be so large your foot is sliding around inside.
Taking part in sports activities that put a lot of pressure on your feet, standing or running for long periods of time, or having to wear high heels and tight dress shoes are also things you should avoid in order to prevent corn from developing or growing larger in size.
Invest in Protective Coverings
Wearing shoes without socks or having them slide around inside can also cause a lot of rubbing and friction that could lead to foot corn developing because there’s no layer of protection for the skin of the foot. The best way to prevent corn from growing larger in size is to use medicated pads that will protect it from any additional irritation.
It’s also a good idea to use silicone pads, pressure-relieving pads, or other kinds of shoe inserts, especially if you’re already dealing with a medical condition that results in an abnormal foot structure. This includes conditions such as bone spurs, bunions on the big toe, arthritis, and hammertoe deformities. Most of these conditions need to be treated with surgical procedures.
Keep Your Feet Clean
This one might be obvious, but it’s essential to keep your feet clean, especially if you already have foot corn. Regularly cleaning your feet with water, soap, and a scrub brush will help with the irritation and also minimize the chances of the foot corn becoming infected.
How Is a Large Corn on a Foot Treated?
The hardened skin of a foot corn can be easily treated. However, if the problem doesn’t go away, or even worse – if you start experiencing intense pain or even symptoms of infection, then it’s time to seek medical attention for deep corn removal. But before it gets to that level, here are some treatments you should try out.
You Can File It Away
The most common corn treatment is to simply remove the buildup of thickened skin. You need to do this really carefully because if you accidentally take off too much, it could result in bleeding and lead to infection. Here’s a brief step-by-step guide:
- Soak the foot in warm water for about 10 minutes,
- Use a pumice stone or emery board to carefully file the hardened skin,
- Apply moisturizing lotion.
There Are Oils That Can Help
So, soaking the feet in warm water and regularly moisturizing them will surely keep the skin soft. But you can also try using organic oils such as coconut, olive, or castor oil. Once you apply it, you should put a corn pad on and wear comfortable socks in order to efficiently soak up the oil and avoid making stains.
You Can Try Over-the-Counter Options
If you’re looking for a quicker method to treat your foot corn, there are over-the-counter medications available. You can try medicated pads or medicine for dissolving foot corn – just keep in mind that they can contain harsh chemicals, and you need to be extra careful when applying. If you’re not sure about doing it by yourself, or you have an underlying condition such as diabetes, avoid this option and contact a specialist.
How to Know It Is Time to Consult the Doctor?
Here are a few situations where you need to consult a doctor and talk about a potential corn removal surgery:
- You are experiencing difficulty walking,
- There is intense pain that burns or stabs,
- There is a yellow or green discharge coming out,
- You have a health condition that can easily cause an infection.
Contact Your Surgeon in Miami and Get Rid of the Corn
If you’re experiencing any problems with foot corn, it’s best to get in touch with doctors at Luxe Foot Surgery clinic in Miami and get it checked out. All of the necessary information can be found on our website, so contact us and schedule your free consultation.
FAQ
How Do You Get Rid of a Large Corn on Your Foot?
Try soaking the feet in warm water and filing the corn away or over-the-counter medicine. If the condition is severe, the best solution is to undergo a surgical procedure.
How Do You Treat Large Corn?
Soaking your feet in warm water, regularly moisturizing, and using oils are good ways to treat large corn. Severe cases require medical attention.
What Causes Deep Corns on Feet?
The main cause of foot corn developing is frequent friction on certain pressure points of the foot.
Can I Pull Out a Corn on My Foot?
Cutting or pulling out your foot corn can be dangerous and should be done only by a reputable specialist.
References
- Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Corns and Calluses. [online] Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16896-corns-and-calluses [Accessed 10 Feb 2023].
- Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Corns and Calluses – Symptoms and Causes. [online] Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/corns-and-calluses/symptoms-causes/syc-20355946 [Accessed 10 Feb 2023].
- Healthline. (n.d.). How to Get Rid of Corns at Home. [online] Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-get-rid-of-corns [Accessed 10 Feb 2023].
- Advanced Foot & Ankle Care Centers. (n.d.). Corns and Calluses. [online] Available at: https://www.afacc.net/foot-problems/corns-calluses/ [Accessed 10 Feb 2023].
- American Academy of Dermatology. (n.d.). How to Treat Corns and Calluses. [online] Available at: https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/injured-skin/burns/treat-corns-calluses [Accessed 10 Feb 2023].
