Corns
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The Sunset Foot Clinic
Podiatry & Foot & Ankle Surgery located in Silver Lake, Los Angeles, CA, Sherman Oaks, CA, & Whittier, CA
Corns are your feet’s way of protecting themselves against friction, but unfortunately, they can also be a source of great discomfort. At The Sunset Foot Clinic in Los Angeles, board-certified podiatrist Thomas Lim, DPM, offers solutions to provide relief from corns, from conservative approaches to surgical intervention. To schedule an appointment, call or use the online booking tool. The clinic has eight convenient locations throughout Silver Lake, Beverly Hills, Sherman Oaks, Northridge, La Palma, Whittier, Ontario, and Downey, California.
Corns Q & A
What are corns?
Corns are thick, hardened areas of skin that develop as a result of excess friction. Corns usually develop on areas of your feet that aren’t weight-bearing, typically on the tops and sides of your toes. While corns aren’t dangerous, they can be painful, especially when they’re inflamed.
Most corns have the following characteristics:
- A rough patch of skin
- A hard bump at the center
- Sensitivity to pressure
- Surface skin that’s dry and flaky
Again, corns don’t usually represent a serious medical problem, but they can hamper your ability to move without discomfort. Also, if you have a pre-existing medical condition, such as diabetes, corns can be a cause for concern.
How do corns form?
Corns develop when your skin tries to protect itself against excessive friction. This means that ill-fitting footwear is the usual suspect when it comes to corns. As well, wearing shoes without socks can also lead to corns.
Outside of footwear, corns can also form as a result of:
- Bunions
- Hammertoes
- Foot deformities
- Injuries
If you’re in a constant struggle to keep corns at bay, a visit to The Sunset Foot Clinic can provide you with the solutions you need.
How are corns treated?
Dr. Lim typically approaches most corns conservatively at first. After a thorough examination of your corns, he may recommend:
- Pads applied directly to the corn
- Orthotics in your shoes to relieve pressure
- Always wearing socks with shoes
- Wearing supportive, properly fitting shoes
In most cases, these simple measures are enough to remedy your corns, which you can keep soft and moisturized in the meantime.
If your corns are aggressive, Dr. Lim responds in kind and offers in-office surgical removal for a more permanent solution for your corns. This is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure.
It should be noted that you should avoid trying to remove corns on your own by cutting or “sanding” them, especially if you’re a diabetic. Trying to remove a corn on your own may lead to an open wound, which can be particularly dangerous for those who have circulation problems in their lower extremities.
For expert corn care, schedule an appointment at The Sunset Foot Clinic online or over the phone.
