Corns
This is the most common of all foot problems.
Causes of corns:
All corns are caused by continual abnormal pressure and friction on the toes causing a thickening of the skin to protect the toe. These abnormal pressures are most commonly caused by bone spurs of the toes, arthritis, a hammertoe condition or ill-fitting shoes (too narrow or too small). Ill-fitting shoes force the toes down the shoe into a clawing position or cram them close together causing abnormal pressure and friction.
Location of corns:
Corns are found on top of the lessor toes or in-between the toes.
Types of corns:
The hard corn is a raised shiny dome of whitish or pale yellow thickened skin with a very hard cone-shaped centre. It has no root but causes pain when the sharp end of the cone, called the nucleus, presses on a nerve. It is mostly found on top of the toe joint.
Soft corns occur in the damp area between the toes where the skin rubs together. They are a pale soft version of the hard corn. Soft corns are primarily caused by perspiration that collects between the toes and since the moisture is always present, the corn tissue does not have an opportunity to dry and harden.
Seed corns have similar structures but are much smaller and are frequently found on the heel where the skin is dry and lacking elasticity. The least painful of the three types, they often feel like grit against the skin.
Treatment:
Removal of the hard skin and thus the corns and nucleus can be achieved either by a Chiropodist or with a medical corn product like the Green Cross Medicated Corn Plaster.
Relief:
The following Green Cross products offer relief from Corns: