Before you schedule a corn removal, we have to understand why it might form in the first place. Corns are areas of thickened skin that tend to form between or on top of your toes. Your body forms these spots as a way of protecting itself from abnormal pressure in the region. So, why would you want to remove your body’s own defense mechanism? Well, corn removal is a necessary step toward relieving pressure to that part of your body. As such, getting rid of corns is important for anyone who wants to walk comfortably. And it’s critical to anyone with diabetes, or reduced circulation. Yet, without taking further measures to reduce pressure on your foot, that corn will keep coming back. For that reason, today we’ll take a closer look at why corns form; how we can safely remove them; and what forms of after-care you must choose to keep corns from coming back.
What are corns?
Corns are areas where dead skin cells have built up in layers, causing the skin to thicken. They usually develop on or between the toes, but some people can develop corns on the soles of their feet. When you’re looking at a corn from above, they only affect a small surface area of your skin. However, they reach deep beneath the surface of your skin, which is why corns are often very painful.
What causes corns to form? ![corn on second toe of foot]()
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As we said before, corns form to protect your body from pressure. But there’s many different factors that can put pressure on your feet. Some sources are internal—that could be the way your bones are structured—but others are external, meaning they could come from wearing tight shoes—and still other sources are a combination of internal and external factors, like having a hammertoe or bunion.
Once your body’s defensive response is triggered, the corn will form from built-up areas of dead skin. And guess what? If you don’t address what’s putting pressure on your feet, those corns could get larger or deeper, becoming painful and inflamed. For that reason, seeking corn removal is the best way to avoid long term discomfort. But simply debriding the corn tissue won’t be enough to solve your return. Because, unless we relieve pressure on your feet, your corn will return again and again. As such, getting rid of corns is something of a process. And it’s one best done in our podiatry office in Massapequa, Long Island.
Why You Can’t Trust OTC Corn Removal Products
It’s easy enough to buy corn removal products in any drug store or pharmacy. They don’t cost all that much, and they claim to work quickly and effectively. But, for most customers, they fail to fully remove your built up layers of skin.
Why is that the case? As we mentioned before, corns aren’t just a surface problem—they can grow deep down, below the top layer of your foot’s skin. Unfortunately, OTC corn treatments use strong chemicals that remove the upper portions of a corn. But they never get down deep. And they certainly don’t address the pressure sources on your feet. So, for that reason, these products rarely offer a solution to your corns. And they often result in damage to your skin, because of those abrasive chemicals. Clearly, the only safe way to get rid of your corns is in the sterile environment of our podiatry practice in Nassau County.
In-Office Treatment Option
When you come in for a corn removal, we will have to excise all of the hardened tissue, both what’s visible on the surface of your skin and what has formed underneath. During this procedure, we will may also debride some of the surrounding tissue in order to ensure that we’ve relieved pressure to the area.
After the corn is out, we’ll still need to provide you with lasting relief for the pressure on your feet. In addition to helping you choose the right shoes for your feet, we will fit you for custom orthotics, which are medical grade insoles designed to support the unique structure of your anatomy. It’s crucial that you wear these orthotics after your corn removal, because they will keep your feet in the optimal position, decreasing pressure in the region. Furthermore, if hammertoes or bunions contributed to your corn formation, we will have to treat those deformities to make sure your corn doesn’t return.
Choosing the Right Corn Removal Procedure in Massapequa, Long Island
Our podiatrists know that every patient has a unique anatomy, as well as individual lifestyle constraints. So, when you come in for help with a corn, we’ll treat you like an individual. First, we’ll give you a thorough exam. The goal? To determine what’s putting pressure on your feet, making tissue build up in the first place. Then, once we know the cause of your condition, we’ll present you with your customized treatment plan. And that plan will be crafted to get rid of your corn, along with the pain it caused, and the pressure that made it form to begin with.
As you can tell from this post, ‘curing’ a corn isn’t always a simple process. And, depending on how much the growth is bothering you now, you may decide to simply pad the corn to prevent irritation, and get fitted for custom orthotics to keep it from getting worse or more painful. In other cases, you may be ready for corn removal and debridement, along with any other necessary procedures.
Ready to relieve pressure on your feet and say goodbye to unsightly and painful corns? Make an appointment with our team as soon as possible. Because, as with so many foot problems, small issues are easier to resolve than large ones. So, if you come in with a small corn, it will be easier to remove than a large one that’s painful and inflamed. In other words, we don’t want you to wait another minute, hoping your corn will magically go away on its own. Give us a call at 516-804-9038 or click here for the earliest available appointment.