Corn Removal

The best thing you can do to prevent corns from developing is making sure that you have footwear that fits well and is comfortable to walk in. Your shoes should not be too tight or too loose. Shoes with narrow or pointy toes should be avoided as these force the toes together, causing friction which could lead to corns developing. Shoes should be cushioned and have shock-absorbing soles. If the soles are not appropriately cushioned, you should wear insoles to ensure your shoes fit correctly and comfortably.

You should wear socks with shoes to help prevent the shoes from rubbing on the skin. Make sure your socks fit properly and don’t bunch up underneath your feet, which can cause further problems. Keep your feet clean and use a foot moisturiser to keep the skin soft and supple.

However if your corns are caused by a foot deformity, surgical intervention is the only way to prevent corns developing.

Corns may go away on their own if the cause of the friction is removed. For example, if you swap a pair of poorly-fitting shoes for a well-fitting, comfortable pair with an appropriate amount of cushioning. This includes wearing well-fitting, appropriate shoes for activities such as running and walking. Sometimes soaking the foot in warm water and gently removing the excess hard skin with a pumice stone may be enough.

However these may not be enough to get rid of corns. If the friction is caused by a foot deformity, such as a bunion, then surgical intervention is the only way to get rid of troublesome corns for good. 

To stop corns from getting worse, make sure the shoes you wear fit well and are comfortable. Use a cushioned insole if necessary. Avoid narrow shoes with pointy toes.

You may want to try a fabric corn relief pad. These adhesive pads, which have a hole in the middle, are placed lengthways on the foot, with the centre of the hole positioned over the painful area. This padding can help protect the corn from irritation, relieving the pressure. This can help to prevent a corn from getting worse. These special pads can be bought without prescription from your local pharmacy.

Regularly removing a build-up of hard skin on the foot using a pumice stone or emery board and moisturising the feet daily can also help to stop corns from getting worse.

However, if the corns are caused by a foot deformity, then there is little you can do to stop corns from getting worse without tackling the root cause of the problem.

Removing a build-up of hard skin on the foot can help to get rid of some corns. You can do this by soaking your feet for around five to ten minutes to soften the skin. 

While the skin on the foot is still soft, use a wet pumice stone or emery board to file down the corn and remove dead tissue. This should be done gently and with great care not to remove too much skin, which may lead to bleeding or infection. Apply a daily moisturiser to the corn and surrounding skin. This can be done alongside wearing a corn pad. You should also keep your toenails trimmed as long toenails can push against the tops of shoes, causing corns. You should always cut straight across the nail.

People with diabetes, heart disease or poor blood flow should not try to treat a problem corn themselves at home. This is because even a minor injury can lead to an ulcer, which will require medical treatment. 

Yes, corns can be very painful. They can be particularly painful if pressure is applied, so a person with a corn may experience pain while walking, running or playing sports. Wearing shoes that fit and a fabric corn pad can help to relieve this pressure.

Worsening pain can also be the sign that a corn has become infected. If you think your corn has become infected, you should seek medical attention. Other signs of infection include swelling, redness and pus or drainage.

Pain is the number one reason why people seek out corn treatment. If you want to get rid of corns for good, book an appointment with our expert surgeon here at the Cadogan Clinic to find out how we can help you with corn removal.