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Corn, calluses, and blisters are common conditions that affect the skin. They often occur on the feet, though they may occur on other areas of the body, such as the hands.
This article will address these common conditions and how you can best treat them to heal the skin and get back on your feet!
Blisters occur when the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin, is damaged. Fluid flows into the tissue to protect against further damage, causing a fluid sac. Blisters can be clear, bloody, and occasionally can become infected. Usually, blisters heal within three to seven days.
You should allow the skin to heal naturally to avoid any risk of infection. Some people are tempted to burst a blister to let out the serum under the skin, but that can increase the risk of infection. Within a few days, the blister should dry and eventually peel off the skin on its own.
If a blister comes off early, keep it clean by regularly washing it with soap and water. You can apply sterile dressings to the blister in an area where there may be consistent rubbing, such as where skin comes into contact with your shoe.
Corns occur in thickened areas of the body. They often develop as a circle on the bony side of toes and fingers. They can form on both feet and hands, where there is friction with the skin. Corns cause can be quite uncomfortable on the feet, making walking painful.
Corns can develop under dry and damp conditions (such as the space between the toes) and form hard or soft corns. Other foot conditions, such as bunions, can contribute to the development of corns due to increased friction between the toes.
There are three types of corns. Vascular corns are supplied by blood vessels and can bleed if cut. A seed corn develops in little clusters on the skin on the underside of the foot. Fibrous corns develop over time and can be painful to remove.
You can often treat corns with a sterile pad containing salicylic acid. The chemical helps to slowly peel away the layers of dead skin causing the corn.
In some cases, corns need to be removed by a podiatrist. This is especially important in diabetic patients.
Calluses are thick, hard areas of the skin that usually form on the heel or sole of the foot. They can also occur on hands. Commonly they develop as a reaction to ill-fitting footwear over dry skin. Certain deformities of the feet, such crookedness of the toes, can also contribute to the development of calluses. They are more common in younger people.
Calluses can be treated at home using a pumice stone, which uses soft friction to wear down the hardened skin. Oil-based lotion can also help prevent and treat calluses by softening the skin. If home treatments are unsuccessful, calluses can be removed by a heel pain doctor.
Florida Foot and Ankle Associates have been treating patients for decades, building trust and a reputation for providing the best care for foot and ankle conditions. Some areas in which we specialize include:
We have locations throughout South Florida, our specialists serving the Greater Miami Area, including Miami-Dade (Miami, Kendall, Miami Beach, Hialeah, Coral Gables), Broward County (Hollywood, Pembroke Pines), and Palm Beach County (Boca Raton). Find your doctor here!
If you require podiatry services, do not hesitate to contact us today!
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.
