|
Hours spent raking leaves or a long day spent in your high-heels can create excessive pressure and friction on your feet and toes. This ongoing and repeated pressure can lead to irritating and even painful foot conditions, among three very common: corns, calluses and bunions. Prevention is key to avoiding these three common foot problems by lessening the pressure and friction exerted on the skin. Read on to learn more about simple ways to prevent and treat calluses, corns and bunions as they do occur, as well as when it's best to receive professional care from your London podiatrist. Calluses and Corns Calluses and corns are layers of hard, thickened skin that form due to excessive pressure or friction over a bony prominence. This thickening of the skin is your body's normal response to repeated pressure or friction. The main difference between the two is where they are found. A corn is simply an area of hard, thickened skin that can occur on the top, between, or on the tip of the toes. A callus is similar in nature, but is larger and usually develops on the ball of the foot or on the heel. Never attempt cutting away a corn or callus on your own, as this can cause further damage or infection. Instead visit your podiatrist to have them removed quickly and painlessly. Your podiatrist can also advice you on how to best prevent additional corns and calluses from developing. The following home remedies can help reduce the pressure and treat a corn or callus:
• Avoid wearing shoes that are too tight; instead wear well-padded shoes with open toes or a deep toe box
• Wear thick socks to absorb pressure
• Apply petroleum jelly or foot cream to corns or calluses to soften them
• Wear pads that fit over a corn to decrease pressure and friction.
• Soak your affected foot in warm soapy water then rub the callus with a pumice stone to remove dead skin
You should always consult with your podiatrist first before treating a foot problem on your own. And if you have diabetes or poor circulation in your feet, never try to treat corns or calluses yourself. Instead always visit a podiatrist for professional care. Bunions With the potential to become more serious than calluses or corns, bunions present themselves as an abnormal bony prominence over the big toe joint. Caused by a misalignment of the big toe joint, the big toe generally bends toward the others, growing larger in size. These can become painful and stiff, prohibiting normal mobility and function. Bunions can form for various reasons, including abnormalities in foot function or arthritis, but are more commonly caused by wearing tight and constrictive footwear. Symptoms may or may not be associated with a bunion, but its best to see your London podiatrist if the bony prominence persist. In most cases, bunions can be treated conservatively and permitted to heal on their own by switching to appropriate footwear or wearing shoe inserts. Generally bunions worsen over time unless the problem causing the bunion is eliminated. For severe cases of bunions, a surgical procedure may be required to remove the bunion, alleviate the pain and restore the toe to its normal function. Developing a corn, callus or bunion is normal, but can typically be avoided with prevention and proper fitting shoes. As a general rule, if it hurts, see your podiatrists in London. They can administer the best treatment for your specific case and advise you on the best ways to prevent corns, calluses or bunions from developing in the future.
Drs. Paul Krestik and Daniel Albertson of Bluegrass Regional Foot & Ankle Associates are leading podiatrists in London and Nicholasville. Offering years of experience and extensive treatment for various foot ailments and conditions, including toenail fungus, ankle pain, ingrown toenails and heel pain, these podiatrists in London and Nicholasville are qualified to handle any podiatric need.
|
