Corns and calluses are hardened layers of skin that develop in areas facing high pressure, friction, and irritation. They can frequently be found on the feet, toes, hands, and fingers.
What Is The Difference Between a Corn and a Callus?
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Home Remedies for Foot Corns and Calluses
While there are many home remedies for corns and calluses in Singapore, we recommend caution when practicing self-treatment, as this may exacerbate the situation. In particular, podiatrists do not recommend the following remedies, especially for higher-risk patients due to the potential for complications.
- Vinegar foot soaks
- Pumice stone filing
- Salicylic acid
Those with diabetes or reduced circulation should take extreme precautions when attempting to self-treat with acid or acid patches as such pre-existing conditions can cause even minor injuries to heal slowly or minimally. Such individuals should also be careful of thickened calluses as they can conceal much deeper wounds or ulcerations.
How Can a Podiatrist Help Treat My Foot Corns and Calluses?
If your corn or callus is causing irritation or pain, it is best to see a podiatrist for proper foot corn treatment as soon as possible. You should not attempt to remove the corn or callus yourself as this can result in further complications.
Your podiatrist can help with:
Routine debridement – Superficial corns and calluses can be managed relatively well by periodic removal of the thickened outer layer of skin. This procedure has no downtime and is a comfortable and pain-free form of treatment.
Your podiatrist can also determine if you have any underlying foot conditions such as bunions or hammertoes, which can predispose an individual for corns and calluses.
How to Prevent Corns and Calluses?
To reduce the recurrence of corns and calluses, individuals are encouraged to:
- Offload areas of high pressure through the use of custom insoles
- Keep feet clean and moisturised
- Wear properly fitting shoes and socks
