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Corns and Callosities


Corns and Calluses are formed by the accumulation and consequent thickening of hard or dead skin cells over tender, sensitive skin that gets the most exposure in terms of pressing or rubbing against the ground and thereby the most pressure from the underlying bones. Corns usually occur on the toes and balls of feet while calluses can develop anywhere on hands, feet or other parts of the body with constant contact with hard foreign surfaces. For corns, badly fitting shoes are the most common cause. Calluses can result from any sustained contact and the resultant friction, like the callus that develops on the hands of workers who lift weight regularly.

Symptoms
Where corns and calluses are about to arrive, places where maximum friction takes place, the skin gets hardened. The corns can become reddened and painful over time, and it can also get infected or ulcerated, with the discharging of pus. Calluses sometimes can act as a protection to the tender skin from possible wounds caused by friction.

Do's and Don’ts
To avoid the forming of corns on your feet, it is best to choose your shoes or chappals wisely.
Always wear comfortable, flat-soled shoes, and avoid tight, pointed, or high-heeled shoes.
Soaking your feet in Epsom salt foot bath will help in softening and soothing your skin, giving back your skin’s natural texture. Other remedies like applying a non-medicated soothing lotion will also help. You should also expose your feet to fresh air and ensure that it sufficiently hydrated and healthy. A pumice stone can be used to remove rough skin from patches where it forms. You should take care to not cut a corn or callus yourself as there is a possibility that it gets infected. Instead, you could use a callus file to rub dead skin gently off the callus. However, callus files can be used only for calluses and not for corns.

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