Corns and calluses are thickened layers of skin that form over time with repetitive pressure or friction. They are common foot issues — and if you have diabetes, you might find yourself dealing with them more often than not.
People with diabetes are more prone to developing corns, calluses, and other foot conditions, and our team at Legacy Foot & Ankle offers diabetic foot care to help you better protect your foot health.
Let’s take a closer look at why people with diabetes often get corns and calluses and what you can do to keep your feet as healthy and happy as possible.
Corns and calluses are both thickened areas of skin that develop in response to friction or pressure. There are, however, a few basic differences between them.
Corns are small, circular patches of thickened skin. They usually form on bony areas of your foot, like the tops or sides of your toes. Calluses are larger and flatter areas of hardened skin that typically develop on the bottom of your foot, especially around the heel or the ball of your foot.
Although corns and calluses are your body’s way of protecting your skin from irritation, they can become painful or lead to more serious problems if not treated properly, especially if you have diabetes.
People with diabetes get corns and calluses so often because diabetes causes changes in feet. Poor circulation and nerve damage (neuropathy) are common complications of diabetes, and both these issues affect your body’s ability to detect and respond to pressure points.
That means you may not feel the pain or discomfort associated with pressure on certain areas of your feet if you wear ill-fitting shoes, for example. As a result, you may be more likely to develop corns and calluses as your feet undergo repeated friction or pressure.
Diabetes can also cause changes in your skin, like dryness or thinning, which can contribute to the formation of corns and calluses. Plus, diabetes affects your body’s ability to heal quickly, so it can make these conditions more likely and more difficult to manage without proper care.
If you have diabetes and notice corns or calluses on your feet, seek professional care. Diabetes increases your risk of developing infections and ulcers from seemingly minor foot problems, so don’t wait to go to the podiatrist, and don’t try to treat the issue on your own.
We offer comprehensive foot exams, and we can recommend the best combination of treatments to safely manage your foot issues. Common treatments for corns and calluses can include trimming or removing the thickened skin using specialized tools, padding specific areas of your feet, or custom orthotics.
Footwear adjustments, including custom orthotic insoles, can help redistribute pressure on your feet. Wearing them reduces the likelihood of corns and calluses forming and can also lower your risk of other diabetes-related foot issues.
Along with care for acute conditions like corns and calluses, our team is here to help you develop a consistent foot care routine. We recommend inspecting your feet daily for any signs of pressure spots, redness, or skin changes, wearing properly fitted shoes, and getting regular foot exams to help you avoid more serious complications.
Have a corn or callus you’re concerned about? Get it checked out at Legacy Foot & Ankle in Bay City, Caro, and Lapeer, Michigan. Get started by calling the office nearest you, or requesting an appointment online.
