Corns are a cone shape of hard skin caused by pressure and friction which could be caused by ill fitting footwear, changes in foot structure which in turn can affect your gait (the way you walk) or bony deformities. They can be particularly painful and limit walking and footwear. But be aware

Please note, that if you have insensitive skin due to poor circulation, diabetes or nerve damage, you should consult a chiropodist before treatment. Here are some general tips on how best to prevent corns, without having to give up your favourite activities or your job: What to do:If you have diabetes or poor circulation, you should avoid these treatments, or consult your doctor or chiropodist before any treatment.

They cause many problems I see in clinic and I don’t think ANY person regardless of age, medical conditions should use them What are Corn plasters? Firstly, it is best to look at the route cause of the problem first. Have you started wearing a new pair of shoes before the corn started? Recently started a new activity? Have you had a recent injury? If you aren’t sure why it has started forming; speak to a Podiatrist – we are very good detectives and can explore the reasons for the corn developing and discuss ways to prevent it in the future. This may be using a wedge, insole or changing footwear style or shape. Non-prescription treatments and remedies – These treatments and remedies are usually based on cushioning the corn, rather than removing the corn. Compeed Corn Plasters, for example, contain hydrocolloid technology, which provides pain relief by cushioning, protects your corn from further rubbing and at the same time moisturises the area around your corn, helping to remove it.Use heel pads or soft insoles. If you have to stand or walk a lot due to your professional activities, this might help you to relieve the pressure on your feet. Blisters: at the first signs of irritation or blister formation, the Compeed ® blister cushion will relieve the pain due to friction thanks to its cushioning effect. Dip the pumice stone in the water and then gently remove the dead skin by circular or sideways motions. Scraping – Trimming by scraping is generally only necessary for the removal of large painful corns. Scraping should be performed by a foot specialist. If you would like to trim your corn yourself you can file it. Cold sore: when a cold sore flare-up occurs, Compeed ® Cold Sore Patch can be applied from the first sign of symptoms (tingling) to facilitate healing.

At least once a week in clinical practice, I will have someone come to me for a painful corn, they have usually tried every treatment available over the counter either to no avail and have further problems made worse by these corn plasters. When I debride the hard skin, I will find the skin has ulcerated beneath and this requires debridement and a regular dressing plan to get the skin stable again. For those who aren’t squeamish there is a great video which shows just how the acid affects the skin and how a podiatrist will debride it. So, I suggest it is best to avoid using corn plasters all Blisters: Compeed ® specialist bandages will help relieve the pain caused by the blister and help the skin heal fast. Corns and calluses: the Compeed ® bandages maintain a moisturizing environment to soften the corn, relieving pain, and may eliminate the corn.Small corns generally require little to no treatment and usually go away by themselves if you avoid the pressure causing them. If your corn causes irritation or pain, there are several ways to relieve the pressure and treat the corn. When treated, corns usually take about two to four weeks to disappear. In all cases, taking care of your feet, washing and drying them well and moisturising them regularly helps. Blisters: at the first signs of irritation or blister formation, the Compeed ® blister plaster will help relieve the pain due to friction thanks to its cushioning effect. Treatments can help resolve the corn in around 2-4 weeks, but generally, they return if the source of pressure causing it remains. Therefore, it is important to find the source of the pressure and avoid it.

Even if you are wearing well-fitted and adapted footwear, repetitive actions, such as exercise or walking and standing at work might cause corns. Professions with a high risk of developing corns include postal workers, nurses and waiters/waitresses. Depending on variations in the individual body’s defence mechanisms a cold sore outbreak sometimes can be more severe in comparison to how the outbreak usually appears in that individual. This can happen independently from the applied treatment. The area of the lesion may be bigger with more blisters developing and/or several foci may develop in different areas by degrees, often accompanied with increased pain.Over-the-counter treatments include salicylic acid, which helps to dissolve the keratin structure that makes up the dead skin. Salicylic acid treatment is available in different concentrations and comes as a cream, pad, or plaster.