The skin is able to adapt and withstand constant, repetitive irritation in order to protect from damage / blistering. Pressure and friction, often related to shoes or underlying foot deformity will cause the skin to thicken and form callous.
If the amount of pressure is over a small area, a condensed area of hard skin is formed and this is called a corn. If two toes are pressed together either by shoes or toe deformity, then an interdigital (between the toes) corn can form.
These are often due to:
- Bunions (Hallux Valgus)
- Hammertoes
- Mallet toes
- Retracted toes
Contrary to popular myth, corns do not have roots and therefore removal of the corn by careful scalpel debridement, does not cure the problem. If the pressure persists, the corn will return.