Toe Corn
What Causes A Toe Corn?
What is a toe corn and what causes one to develop? Forgetting about the toe for a moment, let's focus on corns and calluses in general. While not everyone has a problem with corns, most of us either have calluses one place or another, or have had in the past. Both corns and calluses are essentially nothing more than thick skin. Corns and calluses are basically protective mechanisms, protecting the skin and underlying tissue from damage than may result from friction, pressure, or usually both.
Not All Calluses Are Bad - Most people have calluses somewhere on their feet or toes, usually on the heel, the ball of the foot, or on the outside of the big toe. These are the areas of the foot which experience a good deal of pressure and friction, normally from wearing shoes. Calluses can also form on the soles of the foot it one walks barefoot most of the time. In this case, the callus acts as a kind of protective pad under the foot. We also may get calluses on the palms of our hands or between the thumb and index finger (usually from gardening), and sometimes on our elbows or knees. In that sense, the callus is not always an abnormal growth, and often serves a real purpose.
Hyperkeratosis - The same cannot be said for corns, and especially the toe corn. The toe corn is an abnormality, and most often quite preventable. Sometimes we can get a toe corn for reasons beyond our control, but usually the appearance of a toe corn is our own fault, and it usually has to do with the shoes we are wearing. Both the corn and the callus are examples of hyperkeratosis, too much keratin, or skin if you will. The skin will thicken as a preventive measure when pressure and/or friction is consistently applied. As long as the pressure or friction is there, the skin will continue to thicken. Soon the skin will thicken to the point where it actually begins to contribute to the pressure problem, at which point the hyperkeratosis may become painful. The body will at some point come to regard the corn or callus as a foreign object, and begin to fight it, at which point an infection may set in. The situation seldom gets better, and usually gets worse unless action is taken.
A callus is diffuse in nature, simply meaning it has no focal point. The callus is a kind of a "patch". A corn on the other hand has a focal point, a center. It is cone shaped, and as such can inflict a great deal of pressure, and a corresponding amount of pain on surrounding tissue. As long as the pressure is there, a toe corn will grow, and if cut away or "dissolved" by means of a corn plaster, it will return.
It's In The Shoes - What causes the pressure? Usually, it’s the shoes you wear. High heel shoes and tight fitting shoes are the main culprits, though any ill-fitting shoe can do the job. Women typically have more toe corn issues because they tend to wear stylish shoes that often fit too tightly. Men can accept boxy looking shoes a bit more easily, and tend to wear shoes that are a comfortable, and not a tight fit.
Hard And Soft Corns - A toe corn can either be a hard corn or a soft corn. A soft corn is normally found between the toes, and is soft because the moisture between the toes keeps it that way. Corns between the toes generally occur because the toes are either being squeezed to tightly together, or the toes are deformed, causing the joints to rub together. Hard corns are usually found on the top of the toe, or on the outside of the little toe, and are almost always caused by ill-fitting shoes.
A toe corn is usually preventable. If you wear too tight shoes and get a toe corn, chances are you will never completely get rid of it as long as you persist in wearing those shoes. Your body is just trying to protect itself, and making you miserable in the process.