Corns and hammertoes

Corns develop from an accumulation of dead skin cells on the foot, forming thick, hardened areas, usually on the tops, sides, and tips of your toes. The cone-shaped core of a corn can press on a nerve below the skin surface, causing pain and discomfort. Continual friction from your footwear can irritate the area and cause corns to become inflamed. Some of the most common causes of corn development are tight fitting shoes, high-heeled footwear, tight fitting stockings and socks, deformed toes, or the sliding of your foot in a loose fitting shoe. Wearing proper footwear with extra room in the toe area and avoiding tight socks and stockings can help prevent corns. You may want to avoid using corn removing solutions and medicated pads since these methods often increase irritation and discomfort. A hammertoe is a toe that's bent at the middle joint of your toe, which can lead to severe pressure and pain. This problem occurs when ligaments and tendons tighten, causing the toe's joints to curl downward. There are two types of hammertoes flexible and rigid. A flexible hammertoe has the ability to move and be corrected manually, but a rigid hammertoe's movement is very limited and can be very painful. A toe splint can be used to treat hammertoe, but changing your type of footwear is the most important and effective step in treatment.