Corns Follow-up

  • Author: Daniel J Hogan, MD; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jul 13, 2010
 

Further Outpatient Care

Follow-up care is important to ensure control of the hyperkeratosis because patients may require regular, repeated applications of keratolytic agents in conjunction with careful paring.

Patients with special health concerns, including diabetic patients, amputees, and elderly persons, may require more frequent follow-up visits in order to decrease the likelihood of a more catastrophic complication, particularly secondary bacterial infection, from the initial lesion.

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Deterrence/Prevention

Deterrence and prevention includes the use of corn pads, web spacers, and properly fitting shoes (see Pathophysiology and Medical Care). Patients can treat their corns at home using a pumice stone to regularly debulk the lesion after a shower, when the skin is soft.

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Complications

Complications include secondary bacterial or fungal infection in patients with diabetes or in patients with immunosuppression (see Mortality/Morbidity). With deep paring, be aware of the risk of bleeding and infection.[4]

Corns are often in close proximity to joints and bones, increasing the chances for septic arthritis or osteomyelitis to occur if left untreated.

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Prognosis

Recurrence is common.

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Patient Education

For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicine's Foot Care Center. Also, see eMedicine's patient education article Corns and Calluses.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Daniel J Hogan, MD  Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine (Dermatology), Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine; Investigator, Hill Top Research, Florida Research Center

Daniel J Hogan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Contact Dermatitis Society, and Canadian Dermatology Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Amy Lynn Basile, DO, MPH  Sun Coast Hospital/Largo Medical Center, Largo, Florida

Amy Lynn Basile, DO, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: American Medical Association, American Osteopathic Association, and American Osteopathic College of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Richard K Scher, MD  Adjunct Professor of Dermatology, University of North Carolina; Professor Emeritus of Dermatology, Columbia University

Richard K Scher, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, American Dermatological Association, American Medical Association, Association of Military Surgeons of the US, International Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Noah Worcester Dermatological Society, and Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

David F Butler, MD  Professor of Dermatology, Texas A&M University College of Medicine; Chair, Department of Dermatology, Director, Dermatology Residency Training Program, Scott and White Clinic, Northside Clinic

David F Butler, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Society for MOHS Surgery, Association of Military Dermatologists, and Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Jeffrey Meffert, MD  Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology, University of Texas School of Medicine at San Antonio

Jeffrey Meffert, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, Association of Military Dermatologists, and Texas Dermatological Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Catherine M Quirk, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania

Catherine M Quirk, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD  Director, Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology, New York

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous authors, (1) Ali Hendi, MD, (2) Douglas W. Kress, MD, and (3) Roger Patrick, MD, to the development and writing of this article.

References

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  17. Bae JM, Kang H, Kim HO, Park YM. Differential diagnosis of plantar wart from corn, callus and healed wart with the aid of dermoscopy. Br J Dermatol. Jan 2009;160(1):220-2. [Medline].

  18. Sage RA, Webster JK, Fisher SG. Outpatient care and morbidity reduction in diabetic foot ulcers associated with chronic pressure callus. J Am Podiatr Med Assoc. Jun 2001;91(6):275-9. [Medline].

  19. Cordoro KM, Ganz JE. Training room management of medical conditions: sports dermatology. Clin Sports Med. Jul 2005;24(3):565-98, viii-ix. [Medline].

  20. Foster A, Edmonds ME, Das AK, Watkins PJ. Corn cures can damage your feet: an important lesson for diabetic patients. Diabet Med. Dec 1989;6(9):818-9. [Medline].

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  22. Balkin SW. Injectable silicone and the foot: a 41-year clinical and histologic history. Dermatol Surg. Nov 2005;31(11 Pt 2):1555-9; discussion 1560. [Medline].

  23. Field LM. Letter: injectable silicone for painful interdigital neurovascular clavi and verrucae. Dermatol Surg. Dec 2006;32(12):1535. [Medline].

  24. Narins RS, Beer K. Liquid injectable silicone: a review of its history, immunology, technical considerations, complications, and potential. Plast Reconstr Surg. Sep 2006;118(3 Suppl):77S-84S. [Medline].

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Hard corn on the lateral surface of fifth toe. Courtesy of James K. DeOrio, MD.
Hard corn over the proximal interphalangeal joint of second toe. Courtesy of James K. DeOrio, MD.
Calluses on the palmar surface of the hands of a body builder. Courtesy of James K. DeOrio, MD.
 
 
 
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