Have you developed an area of hardened skin on your foot which is troubling you? Is it painful? Surely, you must be wanting to know what it is and the best remedy for it. To tell the truth, you may either have corn, callus or verruca. You don’t need to worry since these are common foot conditions suffered by the majority of people at some point of time. A common misconception among people is that they think corns, calluses and verruca are all same but actually, they three are very much different. They may be similar in terms of effects but if you delve deeper, you’ll find that they differ from each other for various reasons. However, one thing remains the same for all the three; if left untreated for a long time, the condition could deteriorate and you may have to endure more pain. For this reason, you must avail the best podiatry services in Mandurah to get rid of corn, callus and verruca before it begins interfering with your daily activities.
In this blog, we shall highlight some of the crucial facts about corn, callus and verruca. Read on!
Essential Things to Know About Corns, Calluses and Verrucae
What is corn?
Corns are circular in shape and have a thickened centre. Smaller than calluses, corns are cone shaped and grow inwards and this is the reason why they pain when pressed. If you wear high heels or narrow shoes excessively, the continuous pressure from footwear will cause the surrounding area to become red and inflamed. Excess pressure leads to the formation of corns typically on the toes or heels of the foot. Corns are of two types – hard and soft. While many people think that corns go away on their own, it is a misconception. Podiatry is the only effective treatment for removing a corn.
What is a callus?
Pressure or friction results in the development of callus, a corn-like formation that has thick and hardened skin. Calluses can develop anywhere across the foot. It has a yellow appearance and the area where it has developed, feels rough. The only difference with a corn is that a callus is a larger patch of hardened skin and doesn’t have a definite shape.
What is a verruca?
A verruca is a viral infection of the skin. It is a small lump, also called a wart, and sometimes has black dots because of the blood vessels. What differentiates a verruca from a corn or callus is the presence of striae or fine lines in the former. Like corns, verrucae are also painful when it comes to walking or putting pressure on your foot. Verrucae also do not go away on their own and hence, you must visit a podiatry clinic in Mandurah and seek specialized treatment to get them removed.
Tips to Avoid Corns and Callus
The most usual way of preventing the formation of corns and callus is removing the cause of pressure. Nevertheless, here are some of the most useful tips to ensure your feet remain in proper condition all the time.
While running, always wear thicker socks for added protection against friction which could give rise to corns and calluses. Never wear footwear without socks as it can lead to friction.
When buying a pair of shoes, make sure it is wide, has round toes and offers maximum comfort. If there is sufficient space and depth around the toes and heels, it will prevent the formation of corns and calluses. Check if you can wiggle around with your toes and if you can’t, then it is better not to purchase it.
You can soften your calluses by soaking your feet in warm and soapy water for around 15 minutes. Remove the hardened skin layers by filing with a pumice stone.
Moisturise your feet with a prescribed foot cream. However, do not apply it in between the toes as moisture can lead to athlete’s foot and soft corns.
Why Should I Visit a Podiatry Clinic in Mandurah?
Whether it is corn, callus or verrucae availing a podiatry service is mandatory. Rather than trying DIY remedies which could aggravate the problem, a podiatrist will remove corns and calluses using a scalpel and other specialized equipment. You may be advised to use customized silicone devices or orthotics (insoles) as these will protect your feet against excessive pressure and friction between your skin and toes. In the case of verrucae, the podiatrist will first assess the condition and may use a scalpel to remove the top skin layer of the verruca or recommend other effective treatment that is suitable for you. Swift Microwave therapy is the best treatment for permanently eliminating painful warts.
In case you have a corn, verruca or callus, you can avail the best podiatry services in Mandurah from Peel Podiatry Clinic. As one of Mandurah’s well-known podiatry clinics, their team is headed by highly-qualified podiatrists and offers the best-in-line class treatments for corn, verruca and callus. For more information, call us on 08 9586 3046.