At Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center some of the problems our Los Angeles County patients bring to us most frequently are caused by repetitive friction and pressure being applied to the feet. Below are two common podiatric conditions of this type and what’s behind them.

Corns—typically corns appear on the tops and sides of the toes or between toes. They are the result of pressure from footwear or toes on toes and are often a secondary condition that develops as the result of a deformity such as a bunion, hammertoe, or claw toe. The deformity makes it difficult to fit into shoes and the constant pressure to a spot that is out of place or enlarged causes the corn to form.

Calluses—calluses are thickened patches of skin that are hard and tough. Although the problem manifests on the surface of your skin, the source is usually much deeper in the foot. Calluses are the result of long-term pressure to a specific spot, and they most often develop on weight-bearing parts of the foot like the heel, sole, ball of the foot, or big toe. Since the issue with a callus is more than skin deep, there may be inflamed nerves or bone deformity involved as well.

Treatment Options

Both corns and calluses can be treated at home by soaking them in warm, soapy water and then using a pumice stone or foot file to gently smooth and reduce them. Apply a rich moisturizer afterward to keep the skin soft. However, the best course of treatment is to consult our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria M. Foley and Dr. Constance Ornelas, to determine the root cause of your corn or callus. It’s unlikely that the problem will be resolved completely until the underlying cause of the friction or pressure is identified and treated.

If corns or calluses are causing you pain and making it difficult to find comfortable shoes, contact our Long Beach office at (562) 420-9800 for an appointment at your earliest convenience.