Have you noticed a hard, thickened area of skin on your foot that has started to become painful?
Corns and calluses are common foot problems, often developing as a result of repeated pressure or friction. While they may initially seem like a minor inconvenience, they can become increasingly uncomfortable and may start to affect the way you walk or go about your everyday activities.
If you have tried to manage a painful corn or callus yourself without success, it could be time to consider professional footcare.
At Arco Healthcare Clinic, we provide professional Widnes chiropody to help patients manage common foot concerns, including corns, calluses and areas of hard skin.
What Are Corns and Calluses?
Corns and calluses are areas of thickened skin that develop in response to repeated pressure or friction.
A callus is usually a broader area of thickened skin, while a corn tends to be smaller and more concentrated. They can develop on different areas of the foot, including the soles, heels and toes.
You may notice:
- Hard or thickened skin
- A small, painful area when walking
- Tenderness when wearing certain shoes
- Discomfort when standing for long periods
- Thickened skin that keeps returning
- Pain when pressure is placed on a particular area of your foot
Although corns and calluses are common, ongoing pain should not simply be ignored.
Why Do Corns and Calluses Develop?
Repeated pressure and friction are common causes.
Your footwear can play a role, particularly if shoes are too tight, too loose or place pressure on specific areas of the foot. The way you walk and the distribution of pressure across your feet can also contribute.
If the underlying source of pressure is not addressed, a corn or callus may return even after the thickened skin has been removed.
This is one reason why professional assessment can be helpful.
When Should You See a Chiropodist?
You may want to consider professional Widnes footcare if your corn or callus is:
- Painful or increasingly uncomfortable
- Making it difficult to walk normally
- Returning repeatedly
- Affecting your choice of footwear
- Becoming increasingly thick or hard
- Causing you to change the way you walk
- Difficult to manage safely at home
You do not have to wait until your feet become extremely painful before booking an appointment.
A professional assessment can help determine what is causing the problem and what type of care may be appropriate.
How Can Chiropody Help?
Professional Widnes chiropody can provide appropriate care for corns, calluses and areas of hard skin.
During an appointment, your feet can be assessed and appropriate treatment provided based on your individual needs. Your chiropodist may also discuss footwear and other factors that could be contributing to repeated pressure.
The aim is to help make your feet more comfortable while providing advice that can support better foot health between appointments.
Don’t Try to Cut Corns or Calluses Yourself
It can be tempting to try and remove painful hard skin yourself, particularly when it is causing discomfort.
However, cutting or attempting to remove thickened skin at home can cause injury if not done safely.
Professional footcare provides a safer approach to managing troublesome areas and allows your feet to be assessed at the same time.
If you are unsure about a corn, callus or other change to your foot, professional advice can provide reassurance.
What About Your Footwear?
The shoes you wear every day can have a significant effect on your feet.
If your footwear repeatedly puts pressure on the same area, a corn or callus may continue to develop.
Choosing comfortable, appropriately fitting footwear can help reduce unnecessary pressure and friction.
If you regularly experience painful corns or calluses, it is worth considering whether your shoes could be contributing to the problem.
Widnes Chiropody and Professional Footcare at Arco Healthcare Clinic
At Arco Healthcare Clinic, we provide professional Widnes chiropody, Widnes podiatry and Widnes footcare for a range of common foot and toenail concerns.
Whether you have a painful corn, troublesome callus, thickened skin or another foot concern, our team can assess your feet and provide appropriate professional care.
If you have been searching for chiropodist Widnes, podiatrist Widnes, Widnes chiropody, Widnes podiatry or professional Widnes footcare, Arco Healthcare Clinic is here to help.
Don’t let painful feet become something you simply put up with. If your corns or calluses are affecting your comfort, walking or everyday life, it could be time to give your feet some professional attention.
For further information contact our experienced reception team or alternatively click here to book your appointment. To use your healthcare policy and claim back treatment cost check the podiatrist register with the following link.