If you have a painful corn on your foot, you’re not alone. Corns are one of the most common reasons patients seek help from a podiatrist in Essex.
The good news? Corns can usually be treated safely and effectively, often with immediate relief.
The important part? They need to be treated properly.
What is a Corn?
A corn is a small, concentrated area of thickened skin that develops due to repeated pressure or friction.
They commonly occur:
- On the tops or sides of toes
- Between toes (soft corns)
- Under the ball of the foot
- Around prominent joints
- Corns are not infections.
- And despite common belief, corns do not have roots. What people describe as a “root” is simply a dense core of hard skin pressing inward due to ongoing pressure.
Why do Corns form?
Corns always develop because of mechanical stress.
Common causes of corns
- Poorly fitting footwear
- Shoes that are too tight
- Shoes that are too loose (causing friction)
- Hard toe boxes (safety boots, ski boots)
- Tight socks or seams from compression stockings
- High pressure under the foot
- Corns frequently form under the ball of the foot due to increased walking pressure.
- Foot structure and biomechanics
- Toe deformities
- Prominent joints
- Changes in foot posture
- Reduced fatty padding under the foot (common with age)
- When cushioning reduces, the skin thickens to protect itself, forming a corn.
Why are Corns so painful?
Corns press inward as well as outward.
That central core pushes into deeper layers of skin when you walk, creating sharp, localised pain, often described as “walking on a pebble.”
The smaller and more concentrated the corn, the more painful it can be.
Is it safe to use Corn plasters or acid treatments?
Over-the-counter and GP-prescribed corn treatments often contain acid. While acid may burn away some of the hard skin, it:
- Does not address the underlying cause
- Can burn surrounding healthy skin
- Can lead to ulceration and infection
- May cause significant pain
Acid corn treatments should NEVER be used by:
- People with diabetes
- Those taking anticoagulants (blood thinners)
- Patients on steroid medication
- Anyone with poor circulation
- Professional corn removal by an HCPC registered podiatrist is always the safest and most effective option.
Professional Corn removal in Essex
At Essex Footcare, corns are:
- Fully assessed
- Accurately diagnosed
- Safely removed using sterile instrumentation
- In most cases, pain relief is immediate.
But we do not just remove the corn, we assess why it developed.
Will my Corn come back?
It can, if the pressure or friction continues.
That’s why we often review:
- Footwear
- Walking mechanics
- Areas of high pressure
- Foot posture
- If corns are recurrent, further assessment of biomechanics may be recommended.
In some cases, we may provide:
- Pressure-offloading padding
- Custom-made props
- Footwear guidance
- Specialist mechanical assessment
The goal is to reduce repeated stress and minimise recurrence.
When should you see a podiatrist for a Corn?
- You should book an appointment if:
- The corn is painful
- It keeps returning
- The skin becomes red or broken
- You have diabetes
- You are using repeated acid treatments without success
Early treatment is simpler, safer, and more comfortable.
Why choose Essex Footcare for Corn treatment?
✔ HCPC registered podiatrists
✔ Decades of clinical experience
✔ Safe sterile techniques
✔ Diabetic foot care expertise
✔ Local Essex clinics
✔ Clear diagnosis and honest advice
✔ No unnecessary treatments
We combine professional expertise with a calm, reassuring approach, so you feel confident you are in the right place.
If you have a painful corn and want safe, effective treatment, we are here to help.
Do not risk damaging your skin with acid treatments or self-cutting.
📍 Visit us at Essex Footcare, Professional assessment makes all the difference.
👉 Book your journey to recovery, call your nearest clinic in Billericay 01277 659200, Basildon 01268 553653, or Romford 01708 728498. Book your appointment today and walk comfortably again.
