Why do my corns keep coming back?
Why do corns keep coming back?
We get this question a lot at Ramsbottom Foot Clinic, and I'm here to give you a bit of an explanation.
So, what exactly is a corn?
Corns are like these dense, ball-shaped patches of dead skin cells that can pop up in various places on your feet. In our clinic, we usually encounter three types:
Hard Corns: These usually set up shop on the undersides of your feet and the tops of your toes. They're aptly named - thicker and denser.
Soft Corns: Whitish and typically found between the toes, usually hanging out between the fourth and fifth. The surface of a soft corn is thinner and has a more rubbery vibe.
Seed Corns: These are the tiny ones, often chilling on the ball of your foot or between the skin creases of your big toe joint and the second toe joint. They tend to form little clusters and can give you a bit of a burning sensation.
Now, why do these little nuisances show up?
Blame it on rubbing, friction, and mainly pressure. Anything that cranks up the friction and pressure puts you at risk of developing corns. And guess what's the main culprit? Yep, ill-fitting or too-tight footwear. No wonder women are four times more likely than men to deal with these pesky things. Research even tells us that most women are squeezing into shoes two sizes too small! (Crazy, right?) High heels are another culprit, putting immense pressure, rubbing, and friction on various foot areas.
Other troublemakers include foot deformities like bunions and hammer toes. If you've got a bunion, there's a good chance a corn might tag along due to all the rubbing and pressure. Hammer toes, on the other hand (or foot!), can lead to corns forming on the tops of your toes if your shoe doesn't have enough room.
Even as the sunny days approach, be cautious of those slip-on sandals – they might seem breezy, but they can bring on additional friction and pressure, leading to more corns and foot calluses.
So, you've got a corn – what's the deal with treatment?
Getting rid of a corn is straightforward and should be pain-free. Once it's gone, we usually apply some padding around the area for relief when you slide back into your footwear the next day or two.
For the trickier ones, like those hanging out between your toes, we might whip up a custom wedge device in the clinic. It works like a charm, helping offload areas under high pressure or prone to rubbing.
Now, you might have heard about corn pads with a dose of acid aiming to kick out the corn. Here's the scoop: we've seen these pads cause more harm than good, often messing with healthy tissues around the corn. So, our advice? Steer clear of them to avoid any unnecessary issues.
Remember, the key is figuring out why that corn showed up in the first place. After the initial removal, making some changes will be your ticket to finally living corn-free!
If your corns are bothering you and you need some help, give us a call 01706 28 1007 or book online through our website
