Prolonged pressure or friction on the feet or hands can cause patches of hard skin – corns or calluses – to form. Corns tend to develop over the toe joints or between toes, often as a result of badly fitting shoes. Calluses may occur on the soles of your feet, usually due to uneven pressure when walking, or on your feet, usually due to uneven pressure when walking, or on your hands if you do heavy manual work or play a musical instrument. Corns and calluses protect the soft skin beneath, so you may not need to remove them unless they are painful.
See your doctor or chiropodist first
Make an appointment to see your doctor or a chiropodist if you have corns and calluses and you also have diabetes or suffer from poor circulation.
PREVENTION
Preventing corns and calluses
The following measures will help to protect your hands and feet from friction and pressure.
* Wear comfortable shoes that fit properly. Avoid high heels and pointed shoes. Make sure worn-down soles and heels are repaired promptly.
* If your soles are prone to calluses, cushion them with hydrocolloid plasters or padding inside your shoe.
* Use a moisturizer regularly to keep your skin soft (see DRUG REMEDIES, above).
* Wear padded gloves when using tools or machinery.
* If you play a stringed instrumehnt, it may help to put plasters on your fingertips for protection.
What you can do yourself
First find out what has caused the corn or callus, because it will be easier to treat once the source of friction has been removed. Take the following steps to relieve the problem.
* Use a foam wedge to relieve pressure on corns between the toes, and corn pads (small rings of sponge) to protect corns in other areas. Hydrocolloid corn plasters will help to cushion and soften the skin (see DRUG REMEDIES, right).
* Soak the corn or callus in warm, soapy water for 10 minutes each day, then use a pumice stone to gently rub away the hard skin.
* Never cut or shave corns yourself. Instead, you can apply salicylic acid to soften the thickened skin gradually (see DRUG REMEDIES, right).
Seek further medical advice if:
* Your corn or callus does not disappear with self-help measures
* The skin is becoming painful, red, swollen, or weepy, or an ulcer develops
DRUG REMEDIES
Hydrocolloid plasters (see p 183) for corns and calluses contain a substance that absorbs moisture released by the skin. This forms a gel that cushions the area and also softens the skin so that the corn or callus can be removed easily.
Salicylic acid gels, lotions, or ointments can be used to soften calluses and corns, making them easier to remove. Products containing salicylic acid may burn surrounding skin, so apply them with care and follow the instructions carefully. Alternatively, use corn pads or plasters, which apply salicylic acid directly to the corn.
Moisturizers soften the skin, so calluses are less likely to develop. Apply aqueous cream or emulsifying ointment to the hands and feet after washing and during the day.
