
Callus & Corns
The body continually sheds skin through a process that is called desquamation.
However, if extra pressure is placed upon certain areas of the body extra keratin is produced to counteract this occurring, and a reduction in desquamation takes place.
The extra keratin builds up the thickness of the outer layer of the skin, and creates a protective pad on the areas where the pressure and friction is being felt.
This is a normal process and helps protect the areas that are at risk to such pressures and prevents the skin from wearing thin.
From this build up hard skin or callus are formed which can result in great discomfort and pain.
Callus: This is a patch or pad of thick skin caused by friction or pressure being applied to the skin over a period of time.
During the summer some wearers of sandals or sling backs can experience callus forming due to the fact that the foot is able to move more freely at the heel, causing excess rubbing of the rim.
The body continually sheds skin through a process that is called desquamation.
However, if extra pressure is placed upon certain areas of the body extra keratin is produced to counteract this occurring, and a reduction in desquamation takes place.
The extra keratin builds up the thickness of the outer layer of the skin, and creates a protective pad on the areas where the pressure and friction is being felt.
This is a normal process and helps protect the areas that are at risk to such pressures and prevents the skin from wearing thin.
From this build up hard skin or callus are formed which can result in great discomfort and pain.
Callus: This is a patch or pad of thick skin caused by friction or pressure being applied to the skin over a period of time.
During the summer some wearers of sandals or sling backs can experience callus forming due to the fact that the foot is able to move more freely at the heel, causing excess rubbing of the rim.

Corns: Due to mechanical pressures applied upon the foot the blood supply can be affected and kill off tissues.
A corn is made up of hard, dead skin with a nucleus that in most cases has a conical head or centre with the apex pointing inwards. Because of this pain is felt when the corn is pressed.
Hard corns: Normally occur when excess pressure is applied to the skin surrounding the joints and the tops of the toes.
Sometimes hard corns can be found within the nail plate or the nail groove, caused by pressure from wearing tight or narrow shoes, and even steel toe capped work boats.
The appearance is normally dark & translucent, sometimes with a crescent shape. They can also be overlaid or surrounded by a callus.
Soft corns: These can be found between the toes where the toes are exerting pressure upon one another.
They can also appear on the belly of toes that overlie or cross over another toe.
Within these web spaces the corn can absorb moisture and because it is “closed off” it is unable to dry out. This will give the corn a rubbery or cheesy appearance/texture.
Corns often come in pairs where opposing surfaces aggravate or irritate one another.
For individuals suffering from such corns, the pain can sometimes be slightly out of proportion to the size and nature of such a lesion.
Can Corns & Callus be Treated?
The answer is yes.
They can be treated, the pain they cause can be eased and in some cases resolved.
Please call me to make an appointment.
A corn is made up of hard, dead skin with a nucleus that in most cases has a conical head or centre with the apex pointing inwards. Because of this pain is felt when the corn is pressed.
Hard corns: Normally occur when excess pressure is applied to the skin surrounding the joints and the tops of the toes.
Sometimes hard corns can be found within the nail plate or the nail groove, caused by pressure from wearing tight or narrow shoes, and even steel toe capped work boats.
The appearance is normally dark & translucent, sometimes with a crescent shape. They can also be overlaid or surrounded by a callus.
Soft corns: These can be found between the toes where the toes are exerting pressure upon one another.
They can also appear on the belly of toes that overlie or cross over another toe.
Within these web spaces the corn can absorb moisture and because it is “closed off” it is unable to dry out. This will give the corn a rubbery or cheesy appearance/texture.
Corns often come in pairs where opposing surfaces aggravate or irritate one another.
For individuals suffering from such corns, the pain can sometimes be slightly out of proportion to the size and nature of such a lesion.
Can Corns & Callus be Treated?
The answer is yes.
They can be treated, the pain they cause can be eased and in some cases resolved.
Please call me to make an appointment.