Corn Removal
Corn removal is a procedure to eliminate corns—thickened, hardened layers of skin that form due to repeated pressure or friction, typically on the feet or toes. Corns are often painful and may impair walking, making removal essential for relief. Corns can be treated with both non-surgical and surgical methods depending on their severity, size, and recurrence.
Non-Surgical Corn Removal Methods
- Padding and Cushioning: Using corn pads or cushioning to protect the affected area, reducing friction and pressure to prevent further corn formation and ease discomfort.
- Footwear Modifications: Wearing properly fitted shoes with ample toe room and avoiding high heels or tight shoes that increase pressure on specific areas of the foot.
- Soaking and Moisturizing: Soaking feet in warm water to soften corns, followed by applying a moisturizer to keep the skin supple and reduce buildup.
- Pumice Stone: Gently rubbing the corn with a pumice stone after soaking to gradually thin out the thickened skin.
- Over-the-Counter (OTC) Treatments: Products containing salicylic acid can help soften and exfoliate the corn. However, care should be taken, especially by individuals with diabetes or sensitive skin, as these treatments can irritate healthy skin around the corn.
- Orthotic Devices: Custom shoe inserts or orthotics to redistribute weight and reduce pressure on specific areas of the foot.
Surgical Corn Removal
When corns are large, persistent, or cause severe pain, a podiatrist or foot surgeon may recommend a minor surgical procedure to remove the corn:
- Excision: The corn and its underlying hard skin layers are carefully shaved off with a scalpel. This procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia in an outpatient setting.
- Bone Realignment: In cases where foot deformities like hammertoes or bunions cause repeated corn formation, corrective surgery to realign the bone structure may be necessary to prevent corns from recurring.
- Debulking: For patients with multiple, painful corns, a surgeon may perform a deeper excision to reduce the thickened tissue more extensively.
