Seed corn on foot forms as a way for the skin to protect itself from repetitive friction, irritation, and rubbing. Seed corn is a collection of small corns that are stiff, dry, and bumpy, appearing like a seed. They are circular, hard, and have well-defined spots on the foot skin. Corn on bottom of foot can be formed on the feet including the ball of the foot and the bottom of the heel. Most of the time foot corn develops due to poorly fitting shoes but wearing proper-fitting shoes would solve the problem. Foot callus and seed corns are not problematic but they can be painful during activities such as running or walking. Show Shoe Corn Formation:The majority of seed corn formations are due to friction injuries from shoes such as high heels. Corns develop as a response to constant rubbing. Loose shoes cause excessive rubbing in some areas of the foot, prompting the skin to grow thick. Proper fitting shoes will keep these problems away. Socks Seed Corn Formation:Socks are the best in the prevention of seed corn formation by avoiding excess friction from the shoes. If the socks are too tight or loose, they can contribute to the formation of seed corns. Overuse and Repetitive stress:Repetitive stress or friction to the skin can cause foot corn. It also includes repeated running or walking up and down hills or doing it for long distances. Surprisingly, even working for long on hard surfaces, including standing, can lead to corns. In cases of uneven gait, the feet bear weight differently with the potential of causing seed corns. Overuse and repetition are not the limited ways for corn formations because there are different weight-bearing and standing activities that can cause them. Acquired and Congenital Deformities:Any foot condition that alters the shape of the foot, poses the risk of corn formation to the foot. A bone spur is a condition that forms at the end of the bone and can cause excessive rubbing that can lead to corns. Bunions also hasten corn formation. Forms of fixed, unnatural joints contracture and hammertoes often can cause the formation of seed corns. Home care treatment can cause the seed corns to disappear but then the amount of time varies between individuals. If the seed corns are persistent after treating at home consult a doctor to avoid infections and complications. Soaking the feet in warm soapy water softens the seed corns. Soaking for 5 to 10 minutes will cause easy reduction of the corns.
Take time to thin the skin thickened by seed corns using one of these methods:
Use a moisturizer on the soles of the feet to hydrate and soften your skin. While treating seed corns, wear fitting and comfortable footwear including shoes and socks. Make an appointment with a foot doctor if the seed corns are very painful, appear infected, inflamed, or significantly interfere with daily activities. Please feel free to contact our Houston, TX office if you have any questions about foot corns. For all of your foot and ankle needs, we use the most up-to-date diagnostic and treatment technologies. Our foot specialist doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet. Related PostsAdult Skin Problems Medically Reviewed by Stephanie S. Gardner, MD on June 22, 2021 Copyright 2007 Interactive Medical Media LLC and Copyright © ISM / Phototake-- All rights reserved. Corns generally occur on the tops and sides of the toes. A hard corn is asmall patch of thickened, dead skin with a packed center. A soft corn has amuch thinner surface and usually occurs between the 4th and 5th toes. A seedcorn is a tiny, discrete callous that can be very tender if it's on aweight-bearing part of the foot. Seed corns tend to occur on the bottom of thefeet, and some doctors believe this condition is caused by plugged sweatducts. Calluses can develop on hands, feet, or anywhere there is repeated friction-- even on a violinist's chin. Like corns, calluses have several variants. Thecommon callus usually occurs when there's been a lot of rubbing against thehands or feet. A plantar callus is found on the bottom of the foot. Read more about corns and calluses - symptoms, treatments andprevention. Slideshow: Slideshow: Pictures of Common Foot Problems Article: Understanding Corns and Calluses - the Basics
Corns are areas of thickened skin that can develop on your feet and toes due to repeated pressure or friction. There are several factors that can contribute to developing corns on your feet including:
There are different types of corns, including:
Seed corns are small corns that can appear on the soles of your feet. They can sometimes be difficult to tell apart from other foot lesions, such as calluses and plantar warts. Continue reading to learn more about seed corns, how they’re treated, and how you can tell them apart from other foot lesions. What is a seed corn?A seed corn is a tiny type of foot corn. Like other types of corns, they may develop due to pressure and friction. Seed corns are also associated with dry skin. The medical term for seed corns is heloma milliare. Some other qualities of seed corns are that they’re:
What’s the difference between a seed corn and a callus?Calluses are also hard areas of thickened skin that can appear due to prolonged friction or pressure. They can be very similar in appearance to corns. Some ways to help distinguish a callus from a corn include:
How is a seed corn treated?If you have seed corns on your feet, you can do the following things at home to treat them:
Seed corns can eventually go away with at-home care. The amount of time this may take can vary by individual. In situations where seed corns are persistent or don’t go away using the above methods, they can be should be treated by a Podiatrist. Never try to do this yourself, as it could lead to an infection. How can you prevent seed corns from forming?You can do the following things to help keep seed corns from forming or reappearing:
When should you seek Podiatry help?Make an appointment with your Podiatrist if you have seed corns that are:
People with diabetes or another health condition that impacts blood flow in the feet are at a higher risk of infection due to minor injuries from self-treatment. In that case, be sure to contact your doctor before trying to treat seed corns yourself. Most of the time, a doctor can diagnose seed corns through a simple examination of your feet. TakeawaySeed corns are a tiny type of corn that can develop on the soles of your feet and often occur in groups. They typically don’t cause symptoms unless pressure is applied to them. Calluses and plantar warts can often appear very similar to seed corns. However, you can use characteristics like size and appearance to tell these different skin lesions apart. Seed corns can be treated at home by:
Contact your Resonance Podiatrist if your seed corns have become very painful or appear inflamed or infected. Call us today to resolve your foot pain. www.respod.co.nz 0800 473 776 (09) 212 9612 |