Callus
A callus is an area of thickened and sometimes hardened skin that forms as a response to repeated friction, pressure, or other irritation. Since repeated contact is required, calluses are most often found on the feet and hands, but they may occur anywhere on the skin. Some degree of callus, such as on the bottom of the foot, is normal.
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Calluses are generally not harmful and help prevent blisters, as well as offering protection. However, excessive formation may sometimes lead to other problems, such as a skin ulceration or infection, or cause the affected person to try to offload the affected painful area, which can place excessive stress on the asymptomatic side.
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Here at Sam Day Podiatry, we can remove any painful callus, and even look at preventative options. Typically, a callus will always return unless you get rid of the reason why it is occurring in the first place (such as abnormal walking patterns, flat feet or poor shoes). We can help to address any abnormalities.
Corns
Corns generally occur at pressure points, typically the bottom of the feet and the sides of toes. They can be painful.
A hard corn is a small patch of thickened, dead skin with a central core.
A soft corn has a much thinner surface and usually occurs between the 4th and 5th toes. A seed corn is a tiny, discrete callus that can be very tender if it's on a weight-bearing part of the foot. Seed corns tend to occur on the bottom of the feet, and some doctors believe this condition is caused by plugged sweat ducts.
Here at Same Day Podiatry you can be confident that we can remove your corn safely and effectively.
Cracked Heels / Fissures
Cracked heels can be extremely uncomfortable and painful. Excessive pressure can increase the build up of callus on your heels which can ultimately crack, weep and bleed. There are also other conditions, like diabetes and hyperthyroidism that cause make your feet dry, making it easier for cracks in the skin to appear.
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At Same Day Podiatry, we can help you get rid of cracked heels for good using a combined approach of debridement, specialist creams and offloading.
If you think your cracked heels may have become infected, you should contact us immediately so we can prescribe you antibiotics.
Get in touch today.