How does a corn form?

Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
Updated on August 31, 2024
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Corns are a common dermatological disease, mainly caused by friction and compression. They typically appear as small, round, hard lumps that are painful to press with the hand. They often occur on the soles of the feet or toes. Corns are usually caused by wearing shoes that are too tight or by standing for prolonged periods, which irritates the skin of the feet over time. Once corns develop, they must be treated promptly; otherwise, the pain may affect walking or make it impossible to walk.

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Written by He Da Wei
Dermatology
47sec home-news-image

Why do corns form on the feet?

Corns on the feet are caused by long-term compression or friction, leading to excessive proliferation of the stratum corneum and thickening of the stratum corneum. Corns commonly occur in adults, particularly in women, and are frequently found on pressure-bearing areas such as the feet, soles, the inner edges of the big toe, the outer sides of the little toes, as well as the heels and tips of the toes which are areas of friction and pressure. The skin lesions are clearly defined, either light yellow or deep yellow in color, shaped like a cone with a smooth and slightly raised surface. Because they compress the peripheral nerves in the dermis, walking or when pressure is applied, the pain is quite noticeable.

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Written by He Zong Quan
General Surgery
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What should I do if a splinter in my hand that wasn't removed has grown into a corn?

It is common for an unremoved splinter in the hand to eventually turn into a corn. This occurs because if the splinter is not removed, it causes the body's tissues to reject the foreign object. This rejection leads to the formation of local tissue scars around the splinter, which can subsequently develop into a lump that resembles a corn. As long as the splinter remains in the body, the lump and scar will not disappear. Therefore, surgical intervention is necessary to excise the scar tissue formed under the corn to ultimately heal this condition.

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Written by Zhang Da Wei
General Surgery
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Can corn plasters be used for warts?

Warts are commonly caused by a viral infection and are a type of common wart. These warts can be removed or improved through physical treatments or medications, such as laser or cryotherapy. Using corn plasters can also be effective in these cases. Because the affected area is stimulated, there might be a noticeable change. If this change can be effectively managed, it can lead to successful treatment. Corn plasters can achieve this therapeutic effect. Although corn plasters are not highly specific, they do have some therapeutic effects. Furthermore, it is advisable to enhance the immune system. Specific antiviral treatments can be more effective and can be combined with other methods to judge and treat the condition. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Written by Zhang Da Wei
General Surgery
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The difference between corns and calluses

Corn and calluses have obvious differences, as these two conditions arise from different mechanisms. Corns are what we commonly refer to as ordinary warts, which are caused by viral infections. Such viral infections are typically related directly to a decline in one's immune system, leading to the disease. The usual presentation is a change on the surface of the skin, generally appearing as tumor-like. On the other hand, calluses do not protrude on the surface and are mostly caused by local pressure and other similar factors. This condition has little to do with viral infections. Nevertheless, the treatment methods for these two conditions are quite similar. For example, they can be removed through laser surgery or treated using certain ointments to achieve healing effects. (The use of medications should be guided by a doctor.)

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Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
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What medicine to buy for a corn?

Corns are a type of skin disease formed due to long-term friction and compression. The cause of corns is often related to standing for long periods or wearing ill-fitting or tight shoes. For treating corns, it is advised to primarily use topical medications, which can be directly applied or used as a corn plaster. Besides topical creams, some physical treatments such as carbon dioxide laser, cryotherapy, and X-ray irradiation can also be used.