Ambulance 912HAP 9252
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General health information

Corns

A corn is a hard, pressure-sensitive core of thickened skin caused by friction and pressure, usually on toes or soles. It may look small but be very painful when walking or wearing shoes. Treatment focuses on reducing pressure and safely removing excess hard skin. If you have diabetes, poor circulation or reduced feeling in your feet, do not cut the skin or use acids yourself; have the area assessed.

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  • A corn is a pressure spot with a hard core of thickened skin.
  • It usually develops on toes or soles through friction and prolonged pressure.
  • A corn may look small but cause considerable pain when walking.
  • Treatment works properly only when the cause of pressure is addressed.
  • Do not cut the skin or use acids yourself if you have diabetes, poor circulation or reduced feeling in the foot.
  • For urgent GP care outside office hours, call HAP 9252. Call Ambulance 912 only for an immediate threat to life.

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Further reading

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S
Shoes and your feetWell-fitting shoes protect feet and distribute pressure without squeezing the toes or skin. The wrong size, shape or use can worsen blisters, calluses, nail problems and pain. With diabetes, loss of sensation, vascular disease or a previous foot wound, fit is particularly important and new skin damage needs prompt assessment.
W
WartsCommon warts are benign, rough skin bumps caused by skin types of human papillomavirus, mainly on hands and feet. They often disappear on their own; treat them only if troublesome, and have a bleeding, rapidly changing, dark, painful or uncertain area assessed before using a wart treatment.
B
Bunion (hallux valgus)Hallux valgus is a change in alignment in which the big toe points towards the other toes and a bump develops on the inside of the foot. This may cause pain, pressure areas, calluses and difficulty with shoes. Not every bump is hallux valgus: a warm, red, painful bump may also indicate gout or infection. Suitable shoes and reducing pressure often help, but further treatment is sometimes needed.