Corns and calluses are excessive growths of skin, caused by pressure or friction on the foot. Corns and callouses appear on weight bearing areas such as the the ball of the foot, around the heel area or over the toes. They can even appear between the toes and these are often known as soft corns. These corns look like soft white bumps between the toes, usually between the 4th and 5th toes. Thick Nails or (Onycauxis) develop over many years and are caused by excessive pressure on the nail bed causing the nail matrix to make thicker layers of nail for protection. They usually occur over hammer toes where the toe curls under or on the on the 5th toe from tight shoes. They can become painful if they become excessively thick.  Dry calloused heels can fissure and split causing pain. If you suffer with any of these conditions you should see a Chiropodist/Podiatrist. If left untreated the feet can become painful, and uncomfortable to walk on, even causing referred pain to other areas of the foot.

What does my treatment involve?
Corns/hard skin/thick nails and cracked heels won’t get better on their own. I can help you eliminate the pain from these conditions swiftly and painlessly. Over the counter remedies like corn plasters are rarely effective, as they don’t treat the cause of the corn and in some cases can make them worse, especially if you are diabetic or suffer with bad circulation or fragile skin. 

Your treatment will involve trimming away excess skin. This is a highly skilled technique which takes years of skill and practice to perfect, so please don’t try this at home. This is particularly important because unsterilized blades can lead to infection. At my clinic all my blades are single use sterile and all the equipment is sterilised in an autoclave, which is serviced annually.

Following this, the cause of your condition will be assessed. The treatment plan will either involve pads/splints/foam or gel props to relieve pressure on the area. I can also provide pressure relieving insoles or orthotics to redistribute pressure more evenly around the foot. Because bad fitting shoes can also cause these problems, I will be able to give you the best and most up to date advice on the most appropriate types of shoes/shoe shops and online sites where you may be able to buy specialist shoes. This is because every year I attend trade fairs for specialist shoes so that you don’t have to do all the traipsing around shoe shops.  

 

What can I do myself?

• Dry feet thoroughly after washing them and apply a moisturising cream. Specialist creams such as 20-40% urea creams are the best.

• Use a sand paper foot file to gently remove hard skin.

• Wear comfortable footwear that fits properly and has plenty of cushioning underneath and avoid wearing high heels.