Generally speaking, a callous is a thickening of skin over a broad area. Whereas a corn, is a thickening of skin over a very focal or concentrated area. Both types of skin lesions can be painful and debilitating. Both can also lead to tissue breakdown in a localised sense and gait changes, which can precipitate pain and dysfunction in other areas of the body. So, as with most foot conditions, it’s best to seek professional callous and corn treatment Cairns, sooner rather than later.

• A corn can occur on the underside (plantar aspect) of the foot, on the tops of the toes, and in between the toes.
• A corn will usually present as a focal build-up of either hard or soft skin.
• Corns usually appear on weight bearing areas of the feet or areas that are subject to pressure and friction from either footwear, an opposing toe or the ground e.g. under the ball of the foot.
• Corns can be very painful on weight bearing and when wearing shoes and if left untreated in higher risk patients, can lead to tissue breakdown (ulcers).
• Callouses occur on weight bearing areas of the feet (the plantar surface) e.g. ball of the foot or heel.
• Callouses are a thickening of skin over a more generalised area and are generally not as painful as corns.

At FNQ Podiatry and Orthotics, your podiatrist will be able to quickly diagnose and formulate an effective callous and corn Cairns treatment plan. It will often involve a combination of the following:

• Removal of skin build-up using a scalpel is painless and provides immediate relief of pain.
• Sometimes chemical caustics are used to soften the skin and allow easy removal. Salicylic acid paste and silver nitrate are most commonly used.
• Changing footwear habits is important. Avoiding high heels, pointy toed shoes and the correct size are paramount. Shoes that have a fastening mechanism, good cushioning and stable heel counter are advised.
• Our Cairns custom foot orthotics are successful in changing the pressures and force distribution across the feet and therefore used to offload the corn or callous.
• Exercises to condition muscles for strength, balance and flexibility is often employed and enhances stability and efficient weight distribution. We use our Cairns VALD Strength Testing to assist with this.
• Felt padding affixed to either the feet or the insole/lining of a shoe can provide direct pressure deflection and relief of pain.

Our clinics provide effective Cairns callous and corn treatment, for a range of patients. So, if you are currently suffering from painful corns or callous under your feet, contact us today and one of our friendly Podiatrists will help get you pain free.

• Shoes that are either too large or too small for the feet can lead to pressure and friction and lead to excessive skin build up. This is a reason why correct fit is crucial.
• High heels and pointy toed shoes put a lot of weight and force on the forefoot and can lead to the development of corns and callous.
• Having a high arched or flat foot type can increase the forces that certain areas of the feet are subjected to and this in turn can result in corn or callous formation.
• A person’s gait or walking and running style can influence the distribution of weight across the feet. For example, someone who has tight calf muscles and spends a lot of time on their forefoot will be at more risk of developing skin build up across their forefoot.
• The type of work and sport a person engages in will place different demands on the feet. A builder who is on their feet all day will have more chance of skin build-up than an office worker who sits at a desk all day. A netballer with the specific movements that come with netball is more likely to develop corns and callous than a swimmer.
• Certain medical conditions can affect the way a person walks or create increased skin turn over. Some of these medical conditions include cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s, Hyperhidrosis, Psoriasis and arthritis.

FNQ Podiatry & Orthotics provide effective diagnosis and treatment for a range of foot and lower limb concerns, including callous and corn treatment Cairns. Our clinics are located at Earlville, Redlynch and Smithfield. Book an appointment today on (07) 4045 5749.