Corns and calluses are very annoying and they are painful thickenings on the skin in areas of repeated pressure. Frequent rubbing can cause blisters and they are caused mainly on the foot due to frequent walking. They are generally not very harmful but can lead to some other problems such as infection or skin ulceration. You will need treatment for corns and calluses only if you are feeling a lot discomfort. For many people, reducing the pressure on the feet will make the Corns disappear from the feet. If in case you have diabetes or any other similar condition where the blood flow to your feet is reduced, visit the doctor a soon as possible because keeping the feet untreated under this situation can cause more severe complications.

Symptoms

• A rough and thick patch of the skin.
• A hardened bump is seen.
• Pain or tenderness under the skin.
• Dry, waxy or flaky skin.

Many different kinds of medicated products are used to pare down the hard skin chemically. Salicylic acid is the main ingredient used in the corn and callus removal products. The corns and calluses can be prevented by reducing the pressure exerted on the feet. The people with poor circulation or with fragile skin in the feet should consult a health care professional as soon as it develops.

The medical term which refers to corns and calluses is hyperkeratosis. Corns is a localized, thick area of the skin which has a circular or conical shape whereas a callus refers to the flattened diffused area of hard skin. Clavi and Helomas are other names for corns and sometimes have a waxy, dry or translucent appearance. Tyloma is another name known for a callus. Corns and callus occur mostly on the bottom of the feet and sometimes in the fingers. Corns are painful even if they are very small and some of the common locations for corns are on the outside of the fifth toe, on the bottom of the foot and also between the fourth and fifth toes.

Risk factors

• Bunions
• Gait abnormalities
• Abnormalities in the anatomy of the toes
• Poor-fitting shoes
• Occupations such as garden workers and farmers.

Treatments

Many different types of medicated products are used to pare down the hard dead skin. Products are available for use as home remedies. All these products have one main ingredient in them- salicylic acid which is necessary to remove warts from the body. Salicylic acid is keratolytic which means it dissolves the keratin or protein which makes up most of the dead thickened skin. The products which contain salicylic acid are safe and gentle for most of the people and are used as per the directions gave in the package. The treatments using salicylic acid are available in different kinds including pads, drops, plasters and applicators. These treatments would help the top of the skin to go white and peels away the dead tissue from the body.