Find out how to quickly get rid of uncomfortable corns and calluses on your feet.
When corns and calluses develop on our feet, it is our body’s way of creating its own Band-Aid in the form of a thick, hardened layer of 
skin. Although developed by the body for protection the feet, corns and calluses can create issues of their own. Read on to learn more about these problems, and contact the Silver Spring office of podiatrists Dr. Michael Frank, Dr. Marc Goldberg, and Dr. Adam Lowy in order to receive specialized care.
What is the difference between corns and calluses?
While corns and calluses are both thick patches of skin that appear as a form of protection for the skin, calluses usually appear on the soles of the feet while corns typically develop on bony areas such as the toes or between toes. Calluses don’t usually cause pain, but corns can.
How do I treat my corns and calluses?
Most healthy individuals can treat minor foot problems such as corns and calluses with home care; however, those with diabetes and/or nerve damage in their feet should immediately turn to their Silver Spring, MD, podiatrist for care. After all, leaving these problems untreated could increase your risk for serious complications.
Otherwise, here are some helpful podiatrist-approved tips for treating corns and calluses,
- Soak your feet in warm water: Warm soaks for up to 10 minutes can help soften the corn and callus. From there, you may choose to carefully use a pumice stone on the corn or callus to remove the dead skin.
- Be careful when using a pumice stone: It’s easy to overdo it with a pumice stone, so be conservative when it comes to using a pumice stone on a corn or callus. Use gentle circular motions over the area and be careful not to take off too much skin, as this can cause an infection.
- Apply a moisturizer: Just as skin anywhere else on the body can get dry, so too can your feet. After you’ve softened the skin and pumiced away the dead skin, apply a moisturizer that contains urea, which can also soften the skin.
- Wear proper footwear: If you want to prevent corns and calluses from developing or getting worse, you need to take a serious look at the shoes you are regularly wearing. Feet swell throughout the day, so keep this in mind when purchasing new shoes and save that shoe fitting for later in the day.
When should I see a podiatrist?
While most people can treat these minor issues on their own, it’s important to look out for signs of infection such as pain, swelling, and redness around the corn or callus. If corns or calluses are uncomfortable and affecting your daily routine, you should see a doctor as soon as you can.
Concerned? Give us a call
Family Feet and Ankle Associates of Maryland has been providing comprehensive podiatry care to the Washington DC area for four decades. If you are dealing with foot problems call one of our four offices to schedule an appointment:
- Camp Springs/Clinton, MD—(301) 868-7670
- Silver Spring, MD—(301)439-0300
- Kensington, MD—(301) 942-8110
- Olney, MD—(301) 924-5044