Whether you’re walking the hills of Sanderstead or standing for long shifts in Central Croydon, your feet take a lot of friction. In response, the skin protects itself by thickening, resulting in what we call hyperkeratosis.
While “hard skin” is a common term, it usually manifests as either a corn or a callus. Understanding the difference and knowing why you should put down the “home removal” blade is vital for your foot health.
What is the Difference?
Many of our patients at Medical Massage Detox use these terms interchangeably, but they require different approaches:
- Calluses: These are broad, flat patches of thickened skin, usually found on the weight-bearing areas like the balls of the feet or the heels. They are often painless initially but can become dry, cracked, and burning over time.
- Corns: These are smaller, deeper, and have a hard “plug” or “core” in the centre. They usually form on non-weight-bearing areas, like the tops or sides of toes, or between them (known as soft corns). Unlike calluses, corns are often sharply painful, feeling like a small stone is pressed against a nerve.
The Dangers of “Bathroom Surgery”
It is tempting to pick up a pumice stone, a foot file, or, more dangerously, a blade to try to remove hard skin at home. However, as expert chiropodists, we strongly advise against this for residents in South Croydon, particularly for those with underlying conditions like diabetes.
- Risk of Infection: Using non-sterile tools can lead to cuts and bacterial entry.
- Chemical Burns: Over-the-counter “corn plasters” often contain salicylic acid. This acid cannot distinguish between the corn and your healthy skin, frequently leading to painful ulceration.
- Ignoring the Cause: Hard skin is a symptom of pressure. Simply filing it away without addressing why it’s forming (such as poor-fitting shoes or a gait issue) means it will return within weeks.
How Our South Croydon Foot Clinic Can Help
When you visit our foot clinic, we provide a professional treatment plan that is both painless and effective:
- Painless Debridement: Using clinical-grade, sterile instruments, our podiatrists safely remove the hardened skin and the “root” of the corn, providing instant relief.
- Pressure Redistribution: We identify the friction points. Sometimes, a simple silicone toe separator or a minor shoe adjustment is all that’s needed to prevent recurrence.
- Moisture Management: We recommend urea-based creams that penetrate the thick skin layers far more effectively than standard high-street lotions.
Restore Your Comfort Today
You don’t have to “just live” with the discomfort of a stubborn corn or the unsightliness of cracked calluses. If you are in Wallington, Purley, or South Croydon, professional foot care is just a short trip away.
