What Causes a Corn on Foot? Unknown 5 Causes

Calluses and corns form when layers of skin remain attached to the body creating a hard, thick patch of skin. They can become discolored, and are often yellowish in appearance. Calluses are actually not harmful and are in fact quite the contrary. They are the skin’s protective reaction to rubbing or pressure from external objects and form due to the uneven distribution of body weight, excess body weight, and friction. Any friction on the skin over a period of time will create a callused skin. The formation of corns is similar to that of calluses except that the friction occurs in a circular motion over a small surface. Calluses and corns are very common on the feet since the feet are constantly subjected to pressure from below during walking and standing, as well as pressure from the sides and on the top of the foot from socks and shoes.

ReadWhat Does Corns On Feet Look Like?

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What Causes Corns on The Bottom of Your Feet?

Walking without shoes

Calluses on the soles of the feet in the heel and ball of the foot area especially are typically created just by walking. Unless they cause pain or discomfort, normal thickening of the bottom of the feet from calluses is not usually a cause for concern, although they may be cosmetically unappealing. Walking without shoes or in shoes with a textured insole can increase the callusing of the bottom of the feet. Additionally, increasing the length of time you spend on your feet or increasing the impact on your feet can cause new calluses to form of will add to existing areas of callused skin.

Carrying heavy objects

When the feet are forced to carry extra weight, because of an increase in body weight or because you are carrying heavy objects this hardening of the skin is all the more likely. Walking can also cause the sides of the heels to become calloused as this area will be pushed into the ground due to the extra pressure. Conditions such as fallen arches and other foot abnormalities make the formation of corns and calluses more likely. In the case of fallen arches or flat feet, since the foot arches touch the ground it is a common area for them to form. In normal arched feet, this is unlikely, due to a lack of contact and pressure.

Ill-fitting footwear

Calluses, and especially corns, are often caused by ill-fitting footwear. Shoes that are too tight create increased friction on the tops and sides of the feet and toes. Shoes that come to a sharp point with a narrow and highly restrictive toe box make corn formation all the more likely. High-heeled and dress shoes are common culprits, as these fashionable and highly restrictive shoe styles place the feet and the toes under much greater pressure. High heeled shoes especially are a problem, as in addition to the cramping of the toes, the elevation of the heels causes most of the body weight to be concentrated in a small area. Anywhere where blisters commonly form, are the sites where corns and calluses will develop over time.

Putting on a new pair of shoes

Each pair of shoes presses against the feet in different ways, and if one particular style of shoe is frequently worn, specific calluses will develop. When putting on a new pair of shoes, there is often a “breaking in” period where not only does the shoe stretch to fit your foot better, but your foot also develops new calluses in response to the different points of pressure.

Bunched up socks

Parts of a shoe that jab inward, such as an eyelet or shoe tongue can also cause calluses. Bunched up socks, especially if worn like that for a long walk or run can aggravate the skin enough to form a callus. Additionally, points of the feet that protrude such as the ankle bone or bunions are prone to also involve callused skin at the pressure points.


What Causes a Corn on Foot? Unknown 5 Causes, Last Updated: 21/3/2018

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