Corns and Calluses Treatment in Houston, TX
Corns and calluses usually form to protect the skin from damage against prolonged pressure and rubbing on the feet. Foot corn treatment Houston is available at the podiatrist.
Corns: They form a bony portion of the toe as a protective thickening of the skin. They often develop due to the irritation caused by tight shoes and at the center of the corn, you have a dense knot known as the core. The core is the area of greatest pressure or friction. You can have hard corns, which are dry and firm, or soft corns that are pliable and moist usually found between the toes. Either of the foot corn treatment Houston can be administered depending on the type.
Calluses: Forms as a result of prolonged rubbing. The skin thickens evenly over the area. On the feet, calluses develop under the foot where you have friction from the inside of the shoes. Others form due to foot abnormalities and walking problems.
Calluses and Corn Treatment Houston
Of course, the first line of treatment is avoiding the repetitive action that caused the condition in the first place. If the condition makes it hard to perform activities such as walking or standing, see a podiatrist. The foot doctor will find the cause of the stress to the foot including structural problems. Use proper fitting shoes and use protective pads and other self-care measures such as wearing shoes with plenty of room around the toes. Use moleskin to cushion and relieve pressure.
If the callus or corn is painful despite self-care efforts to provide relief, your podiatrist can provide the following treatment measures:
Trimming of excess skin. Your foot doctor can trim the thickened skin with a scalpel. It is done during an office visit. It is not advisable to do it yourself because it could lead to an infection.
Callus removing medication — The podiatrist may apply a patch containing salicylic acid. The doctor will advise on when to replace the patch. Before applying a new patch, you may be required to file the dead skin away using a pumice stone or a nail file. In larger calluses, you may get a prescription of salicylic gel for application.
If the formation of the corns or calluses is due to an underlying foot deformity, then the podiatrist may prescribe custom-made shoe inserts. These will come in handy in preventing the recurrence of the calluses or corns because they evenly distribute the pressure inside the shoes.
Surgery — This is advised when the surgery will correct the alignment of the bone causing friction to the feet.
Reducing the size of the corn or callus
I. Soak the affected foot in warm water to soften the thickened skin. Dry the area, then rub gently with a pumice stone. Apply a moisturizer lotion over the area. Repeat this over few days.
II. You can use an ointment or liquid that contains salicylic acid to soften the corn or callus. It needs to be handled with care to avoid causing harm around the surrounding healthy skin. Then rub with a pumice stone to scrape dead skin away.