Do corns that don't hurt need to be treated?

Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
Updated on September 23, 2024
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Corns are mostly caused by the entry of foreign objects into the skin locally, followed by hyperplasia formed through repeated friction, generally appearing as wedge-shaped on the surface of the skin. If corns are not treated, they might gradually grow larger or increase in size, causing pain during long-term walking. Even if there is no pain temporarily, treatment is still necessary. It is advised to go to the dermatology department of a regular hospital for surgical removal or use liquid nitrogen freezing. This condition can be prevented from recurring by paying attention to one’s walking posture, shoe-wearing habits, and avoiding stepping on dirty things. Regular exercise to strengthen immunity and avoiding walking barefoot are also beneficial.

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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 Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
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Can I apply corn plaster if the corn has burst?

If a corn has broken open, you should not continue to apply corn plaster to it, as the plaster is somewhat corrosive. Since the skin of the corn has already been damaged, you should not use this medicated plaster until the skin has healed. Corns typically develop on the skin due to prolonged friction and pressure on the foot skin. Wearing ill-fitting shoes for a long period, or having deformed feet or toes, can also lead to the development of corns. If you have a corn, you can apply corn plaster locally, or visit a formal hospital to receive treatments such as cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen or using a carbon dioxide laser. If the corn has broken open, pay attention to the cleanliness and hygiene of the foot to prevent further infection. You can apply iodine locally for disinfection.

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

Firstly, a corn is a type of common wart, and it actually has clear differences from a callus. Common warts generally occur on the soles of the feet, or on the proliferative protruding surface, typically characterized by specific manifestations. In such cases, there usually are also prominent manifestations, and these conditions can also cause some minor pain. On the other hand, calluses are completely the opposite of corns. The surface of a callus is generally not protruding, meaning the skin is flat and usually quite smooth. In this respect, there is a fundamental difference on the surface. Moreover, calluses can potentially be caused by local compression factors. As for corns, they are usually caused by lowered immunity. That is, viral infections are what lead to the problem of corns.

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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 Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
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At what stage should a corn plaster be considered effective?

When applying corn plaster, it is essential to apply it until the area of the corn turns white, remove the white callus, and then continue to apply the plaster. Keep applying until the surrounding skin no longer turns white, leaving only the protruding corn. Once the root of the corn has also necrotized, it can be pulled out from the root. If there is still pain when pulling out the corn, continue using the medication. When the dead skin on the corn turns white, clean, with clear lines, and the newly exposed tender skin is smooth, clean, with clear lines, and there is no pain when pressed, this condition indicates recovery. Corns generally occur due to prolonged pressure on the foot or wearing tight shoes, causing sustained pressure and friction over time.