A corn is similar to a callus and usually forms on the toes. Friction and pressure to the skin cause a protective response by thickening the irritated skin. The skin is trapped ( sandwiched ) between pressure from the outside of the toe and pressure from the inside of the toe. Outside pressure comes from the ground or the shoes, inside pressure usually comes from the bones in the toes or foreign bodies.
There are two kinds of corns: hard and soft. Hard corns are found on the tops, sides, and the tips of toes. Soft corns resemble open sores and develop between the toes in the web area from rubbing against each other.
Small bony irritations or bone spurs are a common cause for the pressure point irritation to the skin. When the irritation is rapid, a blister forms. When the irritation is chronic, a callus (corn) develops.
Treatment involves surgically removing the source of the irritation. If a bone spur is irritating the skin, simply removing the bone spur (filing or flattening the bony irritation) resolves the problem. Just trimming the corn (the thickened skin) only offers temporary relief, because it does not address the cause of the problem. When a Corn develops on a hammertoe, hammertoe surgery solves the problem by straightening the toe and reducing the friction and pressure to the top of the toe which caused the corn.
Many corns are easily treated in the office or as an outpatient at the hospital. Most patients are amazed at the relief treating the corn gives them. Most patients state that keeping the corn hurts a lot more than the simple 15 minute surgery of removing the corn.
Call now to make your appointment!
AFP Podiatry, LTD
825 N. ROSELLE RD. ROSELLE, IL. 60172
Phone: (630) 582-1100
or
AFP Podiatry LTD. 4701 N. Cumberland Ave. Suite 19 Norridge, Il. 60706 Phone: (708)-867-3338