Expert offers advice on treating corns, calluses

Corns and calluses form due to friction or pressure on the skin, and there are a number of ways to treat these often unsightly areas, an expert says.
"Calluses can develop anywhere on the body where there is repeated friction, such as a guitar player's fingertips or a mechanic's palms," said Dr. Nada Elbuluk, assistant professor of dermatology at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City.
"Corns typically develop on the tops and sides of the toes, and on the balls of the feet, and common causes are arthritis or poorly fitting shoes," she explained in an American Academy of Dermatology news release.
Elbuluk also noted that corns and calluses on the feet may be mistaken for plantar warts. But plantar warts have tiny black dots in them, which are actually small blood vessels. And, plantar warts are usually more painful when pressure is applied to the sides of the warts, she explained.
If corns and calluses are an issue for you, Elbuluk offered some tips for treating them.
You can soak your corn or callus in warm water for five to 10 minutes or until the skin softens, she suggested. Then, use a pumice stone to file the corn or callus. First dip the stone in warm water and then use circular or sideways motions to remove dead skin. Don't remove too much skin because doing so could cause bleeding and infection, she advised.
Another approach is to apply moisturizing lotion or cream with salicylic acid, ammonium lactate, or urea to the area each day. This will help gradually soften corns and calluses, Elbuluk explained.
To prevent further irritation of calluses, cut a piece of moleskin into two half-moon shapes and place them around the callus. For corns, surround them with donut-shaped adhesive pads. These products are available at most drugstores.
    
HealthDay

Expert offers advice on treating corns, calluses

Corns and calluses form due to friction or pressure on the skin, and there are a number of ways to treat these often unsightly areas, an expert says. Calluses can develop anywhere on the body where there is repeated friction, such as a guitar players fingertips or a mechanics palms, said Dr. Nada Elbuluk, assistant professor of dermatology at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City. Corns typically develop on the tops and sides of the toes, and on the balls of the feet, and common causes are arthritis or poorly fitting shoes, she explained in an American Academy of Dermatology news release. Elbuluk also noted that corns and calluses on the feet may be mistaken for plantar warts. But plantar warts have tiny black dots in them, which are actually small blood vessels. And, plantar warts are usually more painful when pressure is applied to the sides of the warts, she explained. If corns and calluses are an issue for you, Elbuluk offered some tips for treating them. You can soak your corn or callus in warm water for five to 10 minutes or until the skin softens, she suggested. Then, use a pumice stone to file the corn or callus. First dip the stone in warm water and then use circular or sideways motions to remove dead skin. Dont remove too much skin because doing so could cause bleeding and infection, she advised. Another approach is to apply moisturizing lotion or cream with salicylic acid, ammonium lactate, or urea to the area each day. This will help gradually soften corns and calluses, Elbuluk explained. To prevent further irritation of calluses, cut a piece of moleskin into two half-moon shapes and place them around the callus. For corns, surround them with donut-shaped adhesive pads. These products are available at most drugstores. HealthDay