Corns and calluses on your feet are a sign of a foot abnormality or wearing shoes that do not fit well. In either case, your feet rub against your shoes and develop thick skin. The skin gets thick as a way of protecting your foot from irritation. If the thickness appears on your toes, it is called a corn, and if it is on the sole of your foot, it is called a callus. Here are some tips for dealing with these growths on your feet.

Change Your Shoes

If your corns and calluses are fairly mild, they may not cause you much discomfort. Still, you shouldn't ignore them because the growths tell you your feet are being irritated. The most likely cause is the shoes you're wearing. Switch to shoes with a low heel and a wide toe box for a while and see if the condition clears up. If it does, you should limit wearing the high heels or other shoes that caused the problem because when your feet are squeezed into shoes, it can cause deformities such as a bunion or hammer toe.

Try Wearing Corn Pads And Insoles

In addition to wearing different shoes, you can try wearing insoles and corn pads. These are helpful if you have mild pain from the growths. You can buy the pads and shoe inserts over the counter at a drug store. Corn pads are small adhesive pads that fit over the top of your corns. Insoles or shoe inserts offer padding for the soles of your feet. They can also help prevent rubbing that contributes to the development of thickened skin.

See A Podiatrist For Medical Treatment

Sometimes corns and calluses are very painful. When that's the case, you should see a podiatrist for an examination. The podiatrist can help you figure out what is causing the problem. Your feet may have alignment problems that cause them to rub against the shoes when you walk. You might have a condition such as arthritis or a toe deformity that causes the skin growths.

A podiatrist can remove part of a corn or callus so it doesn't crowd your shoe. He or she does this by shaving off the top layers. Since the skin is dead, this treatment doesn't hurt at all. If treatments don't help your pain, the podiatrist may give you a corticosteroid injection that reduces swelling and pain. Also, if you develop ulcers or infections at the site of the corns or calluses, you may need to take antibiotics to clear the infection.

Corns and calluses generally clear up on their own once you correct the problem that causes the irritation. However, if you have other health problems such as diabetes or a compromised immune system, be sure to consult a podiatrist for treatment, as you may have reduced sensations and decreased blood flow in your feet that make them slower to heal.

For more information, contact Laurel Podiatry Associates, LLC or a similar organization.