What do you know about Corns and Calluses?

1. What do corns and calluses have in common?

A. They are both areas of thickened, dead skin.

B. They both form on your feet to protect the skin from excessive pressure or friction.

C. They are made from the same material.

D. All of the above

2. Which is not a cause of corns and calluses?

A. Shoes that do not fit correctly.

B. Walking or running on hard surfaces.

C. Ingrown toe nails

D. Flat feet

3. Calluses develop on (you can choose multiple answers):

A. Ball of the foot

B. Heel

C. Big toe

D. Tops of toes

E. Between toes

4. Corns develop on (you can choose multiple answers):

A. Ball of the foot

B. Heel

C. Big toe

D. Tops of toes

E. Between toes

5. What color are corns and calluses?

A. Yellow or grayish

B. Red

C. Blue

6. Is the following a description of a corn or callus?

A spread out, flat area of thick skin

7. True or false? Some corns can look like open sores.

Check the comments below for the correct answers.

Image by Simon Adriaensen. Iconscollection - Question.(2007). Flickr.

Foot Care for the Whole Family

Children

Children’s feet grow rapidly in the first couple years of life. Check for things like flat feet or feet that turn out or in. These are some common problems that can be treated.

• Make sure shoes and socks fit properly. There should be enough room to move around freely and wiggle toes.
• Pay attention to your child’s stride when they start to walk. Early walkers can appear pigeon-toed or walk on their tippy-toes. If these habits continue, talk to your doctor. Treatment is more effective if started early.

Adults

These simple tips should be followed by everyone to help avoid foot and nail issues.

• Keep your toenails neatly trimmed. Avoid hangnails and ingrown nails by cutting them straight across and not too short. Keeping nails trimmed can help avoid the invasion of fungus into the nails.
• Wash and properly dry feet daily. Prevent fungal infections by keeping feet dry. Change socks often if you have sweaty feet.
• Wear shoes that fit properly. This will help avoid an array of problems; calluses, blisters, bunions, hammer toes, etc.

If anyone in your family is experiencing foot issues, make an appointment to see a podiatrist. 

Image by Christoph Lehmann. Foot Family. (2010).

Bunion Surgery

Bunions can sometimes be treated non-surgically, but when is it time to have bunion surgery? It is time to consider it if one of the following is true:

• You have persistent severe pain.
• Your daily activities are limited because of your bunion.
• You have severe foot deformity.

What does bunion surgery entail?

Typically an incision is made in the top or the side of the big toe joint area. Soft tissue and bone are removed or realigned.

What are the goals for bunion surgery?

• Relieve pain
• Restore normal alignment to the toe joint
• Allow you to bear weight on your feet normally
• Return to normal daily activities

What do I need to consider about surgery?

• There are different types of surgery when it comes to bunions. Each case is different, so surgery needs to be personalized.
• Bunions can return after surgery, especially if you wear shoes that promote bunions.
• Surgery can reduce the range of motion of the big toe.
• Recovery requires you to stay off your foot for a while.

Surgery should be discussed at length with your physician. Many things need to be considered before it is decided if surgery is the best course of action. 

Image by andy_5322. My Feet. (2007). Flickr.

Myths about Toenail Fungus

Nail polish acts as a barrier for toenail fungus.

Nail polish actually traps moisture, and fungus grows best in warm, wet places.

Over-the-counter medications cure fungus.

Fungus is stubborn and should be treated by a physician. They are able to prescribe oral or topical medications to fight fungus.

You cannot contract fungus from another person.

You can catch toenail fungus from public showers, pools, locker room floors, etc. Anywhere that someone with fungus comes into contact with can be a potential breeding ground for the fungus. You can even catch it from sharing bed sheets with someone who is infected.

Nail breakage is typically the first sign.

Discolored nails are often the first sign of fungus. Nails can turn white, yellow or brown.

Only older people get toenail fungus.

Although it is more likely to get toe nail fungus as you get older, young people can get it too.

Fingernail fungus is just as common as toenail fungus.

Since your toes are stuck in shoes most of the time, it is a lot easier to get toe nail fungus. Toes are in a wet, warm environment when they are covered up.

Toenail fungus is harmless.

Toenail fungus can lead to a more serious infection if not treated properly.

Image by Nicholas A. Tonelli. Floored. (2005). Flickr.