The accumulation of the dead skin cells lead to corns on the foot, which causes the area to harden and thicken. These look like projections of the feet. It has a cone-shaped core with a point, which can press on a nerve below causing pain. The first step in dealing with a foot corn is to eliminate the reason the corn has developed. This often means it is time for a new pair of shoes. Wearing shoes that are too snug or that cause points of pressure and friction on the foot will eventually result in a foot corn developing. With all this pressure corns and calluses can form on your toes. Toe corns can be uncomfortable and sometimes be extremely painful. They can cause long-term problems with mobility if not treated properly.
Improper footwear is the leading cause of the development of corns and calluses on feet. Consult your doctor about the proper footwear that will take pressure off of vulnerable areas, and prevent corns from developing. Corns are caused by thickened skin much like calluses. The biggest difference is size and location. Corns are found on the toes and top sides of feet while calluses are found on the heels and balls of feet. In general, corns usually appear with thickened and sometimes horny skin, and may be dry and scaly, or in the case of soft corns (they form between the toes, usually the fourth and fifth) might be white and moist.
Infections in the treatment of corns on toes can be avoided by ever so gently scraping the affected area daily, making sure that the live skin underneath is not chafed, then using a topical disinfectant. All equipment used in corn removal must be sterilized. It is important to sterilize all equipment used in corn removal. A Pedi-egg, for instance, can accumulate a large amount of dead skin cells once used. This will cause bacteria to multiply. Today corns are treated with a variety of preparations. Some are caustic agents that are applied topically and eat into the skin layer. These ‘keracolytic’ products are only able to destroy the actual growth, so if the roots are intact the corn will mushroom again.
If you have pain in a corn, even when you do not have shoes on, you have most likely developed bursitis which is inflammation of the joint under the corn. Bursitis is often treated with an injection of anti-inflammatory into the inflamed area. Another effective alternative is to give you feet a good long soak in a basin full of warm water with a cupful of apple cider vinegar. Then do some gentle scrubbing using a pumice stone to rid your feet of all that dead skin. By reducing pressure on the affected area, corns and calluses can be prevented to re-arise. You can do this by using a corn protector or wearing more comfy shoes. Continued pressure on the area will likely bring the corn or callus back. In addition to directly treating the problem, proper foot corn removal would not be complete without some form of prevention. Get a pair of comfortable shoes that does not put pressure on problem areas on the feet.