Corns

Foot corns are a common problem, and if you’ve had them before, you’re more likely to get them again. The American Podiatric Medical Association estimates that approximately five percent of Americans suffer from foot corn pain every year. Most people don’t seek the professional help they need. If you’re suffering from corns on your feet, visit Dr. Velimir Petkov in northern New Jersey, just a half-hour from NYC. Call podiatry in NJ for an appointment to deal with your corns.

Ill-fitting shoes cause 90 percent of all foot problems, and corns are no exception. Foot corns feel like raised bumps of thick, rough skin. Not only are corns unsightly, but they often cause discomfort by creating additional friction within tight shoes. If you have diabetes or any other condition that restricts blood flow to your feet, corns and callouses pose a serious health risk. If you’re suffering from foot corn pain, it’s time to seek help from a board-certified podiatrist.

Don’t hesitate to set up an appointment with Dr. Velimir Petkov and the rest of his team of podiatry doctors at Premier Podiatry. After examining your feet, Dr. Petkov can tell you how best to get rid of your corns through an in-office corn removal treatment. He can also suggest several home care instructions to prevent corns from appearing again.

What Is a Foot Corn?

Yellowish in color with a cone-shaped appearance, these pea-sized or larger nodules usually form on the top or sides of your smaller toes or over the joints. Sometimes, you can even get them between your toes. The type of corn you have depends on the location and appearance. The most common types of foot corns are:

• Hard corns. These corns appear as a patch of hardened skin with a dense inner core. Hard corns usually appear on the top of your toe or the outside of your little toe.
• Soft corns. Usually red and tender to touch, these corns have an outer layer that looks thin and smooth. They usually develop between your toes.
• Seed corns. Resembling dead skin, these corns have a circular shape. Seed corns usually appear on the bottom of your foot, most often on your heels and the balls of your feet.

Although often mistaken for plantar warts, corns are different. It’s easy to tell the difference between foot corn vs. a wart. Foot corns have a dense, thick coat of skin and lack the brownish dots of a wart. Often tender to the touch, corns can plague you with nagging toe pain. Corns can be filled with pus and lead to other foot conditions such as:

• Bunions or bony bumps that form on the side of your big toe
• Hammertoes that force your toes to curl like a claw
• Bone spurs or hard bumps that cause enough friction to create corns

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Reasons That Corns Form

Corns usually form because of the friction and pressure from shoes that don’t fit quite right. People with flat feet tend to have a hard time finding shoes that fit well. High heel shoe wearers also frequently suffer from corn problems. Additionally, wearing the wrong shoe size or style can cause other foot injuries as well, such as:

• Ingrown toenails
• Plantar fasciitis
• Ball of the foot pain
• Achilles tendonitis and other soft tissue problems

Not wearing socks also increases the likelihood of developing corns, especially if you wear shoes made of a stiffer material like inflexible leather. Wearing socks gives you an additional layer of protection, cushioning your toes and minimizing your foot pain.

Normal Foot Corn Treatment

Diagnosing your corns depends on their shape, size, appearance and location. Let your New Jersey podiatrist know about any medical conditions you may have, such as:

• Arthritis
• Circulation problems
• Blood-thinning diseases
• Diabetes
• Gout

The corn removal procedure starts by prepping the area of your corn. Using a surgical scalpel, your foot surgeon removes the hardened bump of dead skin by shaving it off. Only a podiatrist board qualified in foot surgery by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery, like Dr. Petkov, should perform this delicate procedure.

Other Corn Removal Treatments

If you are prone to corns, Dr. Petkov may suggest using a nail file, emery board or pumice stone regularly after bathing to rub them off gradually. You can also apply medication known as keratolytic that helps to soften and loosen the top skin layer for easier corn removal. For corns that appear between your toes, use a donut-shaped foam pad to cushion the area and relieve the pressure on the corn. Your podiatrist may also suggest orthotics, which provide additional cushioning and support in your shoes.

There’s no reason for you to suffer from foot corn pain. Experienced podiatrist Dr. Petkov and the staff at Premier Podiatry can provide you with the best care. Contact them today to set up your initial consultation.

Premier Podiatry: Velimir Petkov, DPM

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