Corns, also called clavus, can appear on the toes and feet. The most common place a corn develops is on the side of the pinky toe. A corn is a whitish-yellow hardened patch of dead skin that becomes raised, inflamed, and painful due to repeated exposure to pressure and rubbing. This can happen if shoes are too tight or narrow and rub on the side of the pinky toe, prolonged time spent on the feet, structural problems of the feet or toe bones, or an abnormal gait. Those with diabetes, arthritis, and the elderly are more apt to develop corns. Prevention of corns includes wearing properly fitted shoes, resting feet, keeping feet clean, dry, and moisturized, and trimming toenails regularly. A corn on the pinky toe can be treated at home by soaking the foot in warm water, allowing the corn to soften and lift and/or drying the foot after the soak, and filing it gently with a pumice stone. Medicated corn pads, often containing salicylic acid, can be purchased from drug stores and these provide cushioning of the corn while directly applying medication to dissolve the corn. If these simple home remedies don't help or the corn is unusually painful or infected, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist who can use a properly sterilized surgical blade to shave the dead skin and remove the corn.

Corns can make walking very painful and should be treated immediately. If you have questions regarding your feet and ankles, contact one of our podiatrists of Lexington Foot and Ankle Center, PSC. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Corns: What Are They? And How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Corns are thickened areas on the skin that can become painful. They are caused by excessive pressure and friction on the skin. Corns press into the deeper layers of the skin and are usually round in shape.

Ways to Prevent Corns
There are many ways to get rid of painful corns such as:

• Wearing properly fitting shoes that have been measured by a professional
• Wearing shoes that are not sharply pointed or have high heels
• Wearing only shoes that offer support

Treating Corns

Although most corns slowly disappear when the friction or pressure stops, this isn’t always the case. Consult with your podiatrist to determine the best treatment option for your case of corns.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Harrodsburg, Frankfort, Georgetown, and Lexington, KY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.