Corns - Prevention

To prevent corns/calluses from forming, you can:
- Wear comfortable shoes that fit well.  For example, make sure your shoes are of the appropriate length, width, and depth. Get your feet measured at the shoe store. It is best to go shoe shopping at the end of the day when your feet are at their largest size since your feet generally will swell a bit throughout the course of the day. Recheck shoe size every 2 years.
- Avoid wearing heels that are greater than 1 inch high, shoes with flat soles, and shoes that need to be broken in.
- Use padding to protect areas of the skin that can be easily rubbed against.  For example, wear toe sleeves to protect your toes and padded gloves to protect your fingers.
- Use shoe inserts to take off the pressure/friction off certain areas of the feet.
- Get surgery to correct a deformed toe.
- Correct your way of walking.   
- Moisturize your skin with lotion to keep your skin soft.

References

1. Coffey, Cynthia and Karla Foster. APhA Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs: Chapter 45 Minor Foot Disorders. 16th Edition, Washington DC: American Pharmacists Association, 2009.
2. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Corns and calluses. April 5, 2011. Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/corns-and-calluses/DS00033/DSECTION=symptoms. Last accessed September 13, 2011.
3. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Corn. August 2, 2011. Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/medical/IM01565. Last accessed September 13, 2011.
4. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Callus. August 2, 2011. Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/medical/IM01565. Last accessed September 13, 2011.
5. WebMD. Calluses and Corns. January 6, 2010. Available at: http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/tc/calluses-and-corns-topic-overview. Last accessed September 13, 2011.
6. Vorvick, Linda, Benjamin Ma, and David Zieve. Corns and Calluses. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002212/. Last accessed September 13, 2011.

Want To Learn More?