How to Eliminate Corns

Your hands and feet work a lot. They’re subjected to great pressure from doing daily tasks and walking. To protect itself from the strain and pressure of everyday life, the skin creates unsightly and painful corns.

Corns are caused by wearing poorly-fitting boots or shoes. They usually occur over bony prominences or between the toes where there is prolonged friction or rubbing. Other causes are arthritis and improperly positioned toes.

Hard corns are sharply delineated and conical. They frequently appear on the fifth toe. Soft corns, on the other hand, are whitish thickenings found between the toes.

When the point of a corn irritates the joint, it can lead to bursitis, the inflammation of the bursa or fluid-filled sac that lubricates the joints. This explains why some corns are painful.

“Although corns and calluses can be unsightly, you need treatment only if they cause discomfort. For most people, eliminating the source of friction or pressure makes corns and calluses disappear. If you have diabetes or another condition that causes poor circulation to your feet, you're at greater risk of complications. Seek your doctor's advice on caring for corns,” according to the Mayo Clinic.

The first step in eliminating corns is to wear the right shoes. Make sure you don't sacrifice comfort for fashion's sake. Allow enough room for your toes to move and check that they don't rub against your shoes.

When buying shoes, look for good support, good cushioning, a wide toe-box and a low heel. Avoid plastic and rubber shoes since they can trap moisture and promote infection.

If you must wear high heels, they should be no more than two inches in height to protect your feet from excess pressure.

Pads may be worn for protection. In choosing one, Dr. Elizabeth Roberts, professor emeritus at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine, recommends spot-type bandages with sterile gauze centers placed directly over the corn. Avoid those with an opening or depression into which the corn fits or rectangular-type adhesive bandages since they can irritate your feet.

Neither is it advisable to buy over-the-counter corn medications, she added, because the acid they contain can destroy healthy tissue and lead to ulceration.

Don't rely on self-treatment by paring but see a podistrist or dermatologist who can peel away the thickened skin with topical solutions.

“Treatment for corns and calluses usually involves avoiding the repetitive actions that causes them to develop. Wearing properly fitting shoes, using protective pads and other self-care measures can help resolve them,” said the Mayo Clinic.

“If a corn or callus persists or becomes painful despite your self-care efforts, medical treatments can provide relief. Your doctor can pare down thickened skin or trim a large corn with a scalpel, usually during an office visit. Your doctor may also suggest applying an antibiotic ointment to reduce the risk of infection,” the Mayo Clinic added.

Those whose corns are caused by bony malformations due to arthritis should visit an orthopedist. To help control arthritis pain and inflammation, take Flexcerin, a natural supplement that soothes aching joints, rebuilds worn joints, and restores joint flexibility and mobility. For details, go to http://www.flexcerin.com.