Soft Corns Are Very Painful
A soft corn is the buildup of skin between the toes. It’s name can be deceiving because often this type of corn is hard. They can also be extremely painful despite how small they often are.
The most common place for a soft corn is the inside of the little toe. Not only is it the most common, it’s also the most painful. Oftentimes, a patient will complain of severe pain in their little toe and not know why. One would not necessarily know to look between the toes. Even if you could, the soft corn could be so small you wouldn’t expect it to cause such severe pain.
Soft corns can also happen between the other toes. They occur as a result of excessive friction. Two toes have to be rubbing together for a soft corn to develop. Sometimes, the reason is obvious, such as when toe deformities like hammertoes and bunions are present. Other times, the toes are perfectly straight.
When a patient presents with pain in the toes, we always take x-rays. We’re looking for bone spurs, arthritis, bone tumors, fractures and bone infections. Knowing the cause of the problem helps us to determine a long-term solution rather than just treating the symptoms.
Diabetics Beware…
A soft corn on the toe of someone with diabetes can lead to a very serious problem. Immediate attention by a specialist is essential. A soft corn can lead to an open wound and infection, and ultimately an amputation.
Since many people with diabetes have numbness in their toes, inspecting between them on a daily basis is recommended. Anything that looks suspicious should be addressed immediately by a podiatrist. Attempting to self-treat this kind of condition can lead to unfortunate consequences. If you have loss of feeling in your toes, you should never use any sharp tools on them!
Use of over-the-counter medicated products should be used with great caution. They are usually ineffective and don’t treat the underlying condition causing the corn. Worse yet, we’ve seen these products make the situation worse by causing open wounds.
There is often a simple solution to most foot conditions. Many people wait longer than necessary and try to self-treat without good results.
If you are experiencing pain in your toes and don’t know why, or you know a soft corn is present, we recommend a professional evaluation. You don’t have to let a simple condition lead to something major.