Corns can be inconvenient and irritating. They can also cause significant pain if not treated timely. Our podiatrist, Adam Mucinskas, D.P.M., can help treat your corns at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC, located in Cromwell, CT. Please call our offices at (860) 632-5499. Don’t forget to check out our Patient Education for helpful information on many foot and ankle conditions.

Corns are layers of dead skin that have become hard in an effort to protect the skin underneath them from friction or pressure that caused them to form in the first place. Those with healthy immune systems may need minimal treatment if their corns do not cause significant discomfort. Pressure exerted on the toes from consistent actions can cause the development of corns. However, patients with diabetes have poor blood flow and complications may follow the formation of a corn on their feet. Corns are typically hard in the center, are surrounded by swollen skin and generally form on the top or side of the toe; or in between the toes.

Conditions that can increase the chances of developing this problem include:

• Poorly fitting shoes that are too narrow, have high heels or are too loose.
• Not utilizing socks when wearing any type of footwear.

To prevent corns, it is best to use shoes with a large toe box, use protective pads that are non-medicated or use toe separators. Treatments may include having the excess skin of the corn trimmed by a medical professional, the use of salicylic acid to chemically break down the dead layers of skin on the corn (these can be purchased in a gel that can be applied to the corn), and the use of shoe inserts. Placing custom made orthotics in shoes can be very helpful in distributing pressure away from the sensitive areas that are prone to developing corns. When these methods are not successful with controlling this condition, surgery may be required on the bone that’s causing the friction contributing to corn formation.

Since corns can eventually become painful if not treated timely, please contact us now for treatment that can have your feet free of corns in no time!