Corns are a common occurrence among both adults and children, and it has an assortment of causative agents. Repetitive actions that cause friction and apply pressure on toes result in corns and calluses, which may be so hard to do away with. Having corn on little toe is common due to the immediate contact that it has with the shoe at a point where the most pressure is applied in most, if not all, designs. 

The causes of corns on feet are preventable, and you need to know them to help avert them on yourself and your children as well. We have both soft and hard corns, but the same things cause them. Some of the factors that lead to the development of corns in both adults and children include;  

  • Ill-fitting footwear 

Tight-fitting shoes and high heels are known to apply pressure and cause friction on certain parts of the foot, and this, in turn, will result in the formation of a corn on your fingers. Loose shoes also give your feet the space to slide within the footwear, and this will cause rubbing on specific areas as you struggle to get a grip during movement, and the result may be a corn. Other than the issue of size, footwear made with intricate designs and poor craft may also cause corns in the long run.  

  • Not wearing socks 

When you fail to wear socks, you expose your feet to corns. This happens because the skin is in direct contact with the shoes, which in most cases, are not made of soft material. The correct size of socks must be worn to ensure that the excess fabric does not avail room for more friction. 

  • Standing for an extended period

Excessive pressure is applied on feet when you stand for long hours. There is also friction between the feet you are wearing, especially around the toes area. Uncomfortable footwear will aggravate the condition even further. If your work involves a lot of standing and movement, ensure that the kicks you wear will provide utmost comfort and avert the formation of corns.  

Other factors do not directly cause corn, but they increase the chances of it happening. They are; 

  • Bunions 

A bunion is an abnormality found on the joint of the base of the big toe. The bony bump gives your big toe a twisted shape presenting more opportunities for it to come into constant friction and pressure with your shoes. Many of the shoe designs in the market do not accommodate this feature since most people do not have it. If you have a bunion, then your chances of getting corns are heightened. 

  • Hammertoe

This is also a feet deformity that causes your toes to curl like claws. The bending can be of the joints of the second, third, fourth, and fifth toes or just one. This abnormal bending Puts pressure on the toes and avails more room for friction, which in the long run, results in corns. 

  • Foot deformities

Other foot deformities such as bone spur and many others will result in excessive friction and pressure on certain parts of your feet, and the consistency of the same leads to corns. 

A corn and a callus have similar manifestations making it hard to determine which one it is at the beginning. Over time, however, you will be able to tell which one it is. 

Symptoms of Corns 

Some of the things that will indicate that you have been affected by corns include;

  • Thick areas of the skin that have been hardened over time
  • Conical bump that is raised above the skin
  • Tenderness and pain under the skin especially on the onset of their development 
  • Waxy, flaxy, or dry skin. 

The pain experienced may extend to the feet, making it hard to walk if you are still wearing tight shoes. Over time, the pain goes away, but the conical bump and dry, hardened skin do not unless you have them removed. 

Preventing Corns 

Although corns are common among many people, others have never experienced them ever in their life. This may be so because they have taken all the preventive measures to ensure that it does not happen. Some of the things that you can do to make sure that you and your children do not develop corns and calluses are; 

Wear shoes that fit and give your toes room for movement. Also, you can buy shoes with materials that stretch to ensure that you have enough toe room 

You can use protective coverings to shelter the areas of your feet that come into direct contact with the shoes and experience pressure. Toe separators can also be used to give your toes more breathing space keeping corns at bay

Wear socks made of breathable material and those that fit you well