Do You have a Corn or a Plantar wart?

August 7, 2019

You have an odd lesion on your foot: its circular, painful at times, hard, and yellowish in colour. Is it a corn or a wart? Continue reading to find out more on both and how to differentiate the two skin lesions that are commonly confused with one another.

A corn is a build up of hardened tissue with a central and deep core at a localized area of pressure. It is generally found on the toes or on weight bearing areas on the bottom of the foot. People usually complain of a sensation similar to walking on a pebble when they have a corn. The reason why it is so painful is because they tend to run deep and press on nerves.

A plantar wart on the other hand is a noncancerous skin growth caused by the Human Papilloma Virus which has made its home on the top layer of the skin. Warts can occur at the toes and the bottom of the foot, but not always at pressure points per se. Warts are sometimes asymptomatic and may resolve on their own with time; however, are also contagious and can spread to other parts of the foot when left untreated.

The three tell tale signs of a wart are:

disturbed skin lines
small black dots
pain with pinching as opposed to direct pressure.

For either case, it is best to see a Licensed Chiropodist for effective treatment.

Treatment for both are as different as their origins. Through a painless procedure, a corn will be reduced, and the core removed to provide pain relief. Offloading pads may be recommended as well as an assessment for custom foot orthotics. Don’t leave a corn for too long; when exposed to prolonged and extensive pressure, the skin underneath the corn may break, which can lead to a wound and possible infection.

There are several different treatment options for warts, including but not limited to cryotherapy, blistering agents, salicylic acid, and excisions.

To help avoid getting a wart, always wear shoes when using public showers, gyms, and swimming pools, try to prevent injury or breaks in the skin on the foot, and make sure your immune system is in check (eat a well balanced diet and go for annual check ups!).

Make an appointment with a Chiropodist, who will assess the wart OR corn and determine the right treatment path for you.

Here’s to Many More Years of Foot Care!

At Feet First Clinic, we’re always excited to welcome new clients! After a successful 12 years of treating our amazing patients, we’re ready to continue offering only the best foot care services and products. Give us a call to ask our friendly staff any questions you may have! Our Toronto foot specialists are ready to help!

Call us at 416-769-3338 or Book Your Assessment Today!

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June 15, 2023

Foot Corns 101: Causes, Prevention, and Removal Techniques

Corns are one of the most common foot conditions, and quite frankly, they can be a real nuisance. They can target anyone but may occur more frequently in women and older people. While they aren't usually a cause for alarm, chronic foot corns can be painful and affect your quality of life. Let's look at what causes foot corns and what you can do to prevent and treat them. Causes of Foot Corns The American Academy of Dermatology notes that friction and pressure on the skin can lead to corns. Here are some everyday lifestyle factors that build friction and may lead to corn formation: Wearing high heels often Wearing shoes that are the wrong size Wearing uncomfortable shoes Not wearing socks with your shoes Irregular walking motion / abnormal gait Foot corns are a protective response to friction and an attempt to shield the skin beneath them. The hardened layer is your body's method of preventing skin ulceration. Corn Treatment and Prevention of Corns Preventing foot corns involves attentive foot care and protecting your foot health by wearing the right shoes and avoiding friction on the toes (where corns usually form). Furthermore, NHS explains how your podiatrist or chiropodist can remove corns if they're severe or may be infected. You should also consider consistent corn removal (corns often come back) if you have diabetes, poor heart health, or blood circulation problems. People with these issues can see minor corns become serious, painful wounds. A shoe fitting can help prevent foot corns by guaranteeing a proper fit and preventing friction Here are some safe and common preventative measures and foot corn treatments: Corn removal techniques, like gently shaving down the corn with medical grade, sterilized tools (performed by a chiropodist) Products like toe pads or medicated patches Custom orthotics to properly align your feet and prevent friction Footwear modifications to ensure a better fit (consider a shoe fitting) Keeping your feet clean Soaking a corn in warm water Applying moisturizing products to the toes Remember: never try to remove a corn yourself, as this can leave a dangerous opening in the skin that welcomes infection.

June 1, 2023

The Benefits of Custom Orthotics for Women

When it comes to custom orthotics for women, improved foot health is just around the corner. These days, women from all walks of life are enjoying the benefits of orthotics, from foot pain management to better posture and mobility. These perks combined reduce the average woman's chance of developing a painful foot condition. Let's look at how orthotics are becoming one of the best ways to support women's health. The Benefits of Custom Orthotics for Women Foot pain management Better posture Improved mobility Foot Pain Management Many women spend most of their time on their feet and use custom orthotics to relieve and prevent pain. WebMD notes top orthotic features that accommodate pain: Alignment and support: This corrects imbalances and abnormalities, distributing weight more evenly and reducing strain on the areas of the feet that need a break. Shock absorption and cushioning: Orthotics with shock absorbing qualities reduce the harsh impact of walking on the pavement and ground. Offloading, protection and injury prevention: Orthotics can offload specific areas of the foot or relieve pressure on injured or sensitive areas. This promotes healing and prevents irritation. Women with plantar fasciitis and sore spots on their feet (like blisters, painful corns, etc.) should try "soft orthotics" that have extra cushioning. "Rigid orthotics" are best for daily walking and working on your feet as they prevent strain and the resulting domino effect (pain throughout the lower extremities, hips, knees and back) that comes with wear and tear. If you're interested in orthotics, ask your chiropodist what type are best for your lifestyle. Posture Standing tall and maintaining good posture is important to a lot of women. It can boost self-confidence and mental well-being, but most importantly, it works wonders for your health by keeping your bones and muscles in proper alignment. Since orthotics address the misaligned position of your feet, they are a successful method of improving posture. According to the Journal of Applied Biomechanics, wearing custom orthotics over a certain period can support postural stabilization. This can help women by preventing circulation issues and the vast array of other problems that stem from poor posture. Better Health notes back pain, spinal dysfunction, joint degeneration (which can exacerbate osteoarthritis), rounded shoulders, headaches and muscle fatigue as side effects of bad posture. Improved Mobility For women struggling with daily movements, orthotics can make a world of difference. Many women adopt poor walking gaits to accommodate pain, but don't realize the long-term effects this can have. Moreover, issues like overuse injuries or arthritis can negatively impact quality of life. Luckily, orthotics enhance stability and provide more control with every step, mainly due to the support they give your foot arches. They reduce excessive motion or overpronation (inward rolling of the foot) during walking and ensure each movement has a purpose.

April 6, 2023

What are Corns and Calluses: Prevention and Treatment

Corns and calluses on the surface of your feet can be a warning to pay better attention to your foot health. Specialists discuss corns and calluses simultaneously because both conditions are caused by your body protecting your feet from friction or pressure. Likewise, the same treatment and prevention methods help both pesky skin problems. Today's blog will discuss the preventative measures you can take to ward off calluses and corns and the treatments a chiropodist can perform. Corns vs. Calluses The causes of calluses and corns are similar, but it's important to note a few key points. The term "corn" derives from their appearance as round, hardened skin resembling a piece of corn. Calluses encompass a large, rough and thick area of the foot. Corns usually appear on the top or side of the toe. Calluses can spring up anywhere on the foot that bears weight, like the heel, big toe, ball of the foot and side of the foot. Both conditions are not usually painful but may feel tender if you continuously walk on them. Corns may feel slightly more painful since they're a more concentrated area. To read more about calluses and how they form, click here. To read more about corns and how they form, click here. How to Prevent Corns and Calluses Prevention of calluses and corns starts with the footwear you choose. Shoes with too much or too little overall room can be a risk factor: When shoes fit loosely, the foot slides forward excessively, creating friction and leading to corn and callus development. When shoes are too tight, consistent pressure will lead to the same result as loose-fitting shoes. That's why it's essential to look for shoes that properly fit your feet and leave enough room in the toe box (especially important for corns). Sometimes, biomechanical issues can make a person especially vulnerable to corns and calluses. In these cases, custom orthotics may be helpful as they correct any biomechanical abnormalities that can be causing excess friction and pressure on parts of the foot. Further, they add an extra layer of defence between your foot and friction via the arch support they provide. Orthotics also help manage hammertoes, a pre-existing risk factor for corns. Treatment Options for Corns and Calluses In general, non-painful calluses and corns can go away independently with footwear modifications. But there are occasions when chiropody and podiatry services must enter the picture. For instance, if you notice inflammation, redness and intense pain in the affected area, you should seek treatment. It is extremely important to never attempt to remove a callus or corn from home! Furthermore, those with diabetes should ensure a chiropodist regularly tends to their corns and calluses because diabetes prevents them from healing properly. In addition, diabetic neuropathy can prevent the patient from noticing if corns and calluses are getting worse and entering ulcer territory. Chiropodists can remove thick calluses during a medical pedicure. This is also a preventative treatment as the entire treatment process strengthens the skin's protective barrier. Chiropodists can also shave down corns and calluses with sterilized tools before applying the right creams or ointments to ensure skin repair. In addition, they can recommend medical-grade products like corn foot pads and foot devices to reduce friction.

March 9, 2023

Preventing the Spread of Plantar Warts: A Guide for Athletes and Gym-goers

Plantar warts and sports are an "iconic" duo of foot conditions and risk factors. Many athletes are looking for a quick fix for their plantar wart woes. But the truth is, switching your mindset towards prevention and medical foot care is just as important. Let's look at our plantar wart guide for athletes and gym-goers! We'll answer some of your most pressing questions and dive into the following: What are plantar warts? Why are athletes prone to plantar warts? Preventing plantar warts: foot hygiene and foot care Prevention plantar warts: shoe choices What are Plantar Warts? Plantar warts are viral skin infections caused by the Human Papilloma Virus(HPV) that appear on the bottom of the feet. Many people assume that HPV is solely a sexually transmitted infection, but there are over 200 strains, some causing warts and others causing cancer. People usually contract this virus strain by walking or running barefoot on an infected surface, which enters the skin via contact or through small cracks in the skin. Warts appear round and look deceptively like corns, calluses and blisters. They result from the body's failure to fight off the HPV, which can sometimes disappear on its own depending on the strain. Symptoms and signs of plantar warts include: A hard and "grainy" growth on the bottom of the foot, often on the ball of the foot or base of the toes On dark skin, it may appear lighter than the surrounding skin Calluses surrounding the wart if it has started to grow inward "Wart seeds" - which look like a small black dot in the wart Pain when walking or touching the wart Mosaic warts or a cluster of warts Treatment options from a foot clinic include cryotherapy and needling. You can read about treatments in more detail here. Why are Athletes Prone to Plantar Warts? Plantar warts have the potential to debilitate athletes and gym-goers and severely impact their physical progress. But why are the physically fit more likely to contract them in the first place? HPV loves warm, moist environments. These include communal showers and locker rooms where sports teams typically congregate without shoes or socks. So without adequate foot protection, members of the same team can unknowingly pass on this troublesome skin infection to each other. Competitive swimmers are also at risk since the walking area surrounding the swimming pools is also communal with heavy, barefoot traffic. Furthermore, the rough surfaces of pool decks may cause micro-trauma to the bottom of the feet, increasing the risk of viral contraction. Athletes and fitness lovers are also more likely to experience hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating of the feet, which can increase the risk. Athletes often also share infected gym equipment, such as mats, without thorough cleaning. Photo by Anna Shvets from Pexels Plantar Wart Prevention: Foot Hygiene and Foot Care The best way to prevent plantar warts is to strictly monitor your foot health and keep your feet clean. If you already have plantar warts, these practices can help prevent the condition from worsening. Here are some practices to abide by: Follow a daily foot care routine, being careful not to miss days when you play sports or go to the gym. It should include cleaning, exfoliation, moisturizing, and more. Here is an excellent one to follow! Lightly dust your feet with baby powder. This can also help with foot odour! You can also try Gehwol Foot Powder. Wear moisture-wicking socks, foot pads or other protective products. Never go barefoot in a communal area like a locker room, shower or pool deck. Always wear protective footwear like sandals or shower shoes while in these spaces. Don't scratch or pick at any pre-existing plantar warts. Air out your shoes after using them. Always wash your hands if you touch one of your plantar warts. Don't share shoes, socks, towels and other products with other people. Plantar Wart Prevention: Shoe Choices Athletes can't avoid keeping their feet cooped up in runners all day. What they can do, however, is make shoe choices that help to prevent the growth of plantar warts. Shoes should be breathable and waterproof. You know how some runners have those mini holes in the upper that let air enter and escape? Those are the ones you should be on the hunt for! The ventilation keeps your foot environment fresh and healthy while you spend the day exerting energy. When shopping for shoes or attending a shoe fitting, stress the importance of finding shoes like these by asking for breathable options. You can also look for shoes made with GORE-TEX fabric, which repels moisture while letting water vapour from sweat exit the shoe. Looking For More Info on Plantar Warts? We know that athletes are at risk of developing plantar warts, but did you know children are also vulnerable? If you're a concerned parent, check out this blog on managing plantar warts in children.

January 30, 2023

Managing Plantar Warts in Children: A Guide for Parents

As a parent, your children's health is a top priority. When it comes to their feet, it may be trickier to tell whether anything is wrong. Our feet are often covered; even then, certain conditions can be tricky to recognize. Plantar warts can be a painful and unsightly problem, especially in children. But don't worry - you're not alone as a parent. Fortunately, plantar warts aren't severe. Most of the time, there is no cause for concern. Several effective treatment methods exist for children and teenagers, who are particularly susceptible to getting plantar warts. Many types of warts exist. They can also target various parts of the body. Wart variations include common warts, flat warts, mosaic warts, filiform warts, and plantar warts. Warts on the feet are the focus of this article. In this blog article, our medical team provides a complete guide for parents to recognize, prevent, and effectively treat plantar warts in children. With this guide, there's no need to let plantar warts interfere with your child's active lifestyle. What are plantar warts? Plantar warts are viral skin infections that grow on the feet's underside. HPV (human papillomavirus) causes plantar warts. HPV can infiltrate the body through skin contact, sometimes via a cut or break in the skin on foot. It's important to note that only certain types of HPV cause plantar warts. After all, there are 100+ types of the virus. (The HPV strain responsible for plantar warts differs from the HPV that targets the reproductive tract.) Plantar warts get their name because of their location (plantar is another word for the sole of the foot). The warts are small, flat, and hard circular growths. Plantar warts resemble a corn, callus or blister but may also contain tiny black spots. Bearing weight (like when you walk or run) adds pressure to the wart. The added pressure against the bottom of your foot causes the wart to grow inward. Thus, walking or standing on warts may also hurt. In response, your body builds a layer of skin on top of the wart to try to protect itself. This skin buildup resembles a callus. Plantar warts are not a skin condition specific to the youth. Anyone can get plantar warts. They are not a severe health condition and may go away independently, especially in children under 12. However, they are contagious. It's best to treat plantar warts as soon as possible to prevent spreading to other body parts. If left untreated, warts can last a few months to two years in children. How do children get plantar warts? Children get plantar warts by catching a specific type of HPV. The virus enters the body through direct contact between the skin and an infected surface. Since viruses thrive in warm, moist areas, shared spaces like spas, hot tubs, pools, or showers put children at risk. Not everyone who catches the HPV strain gets plantar warts. Your immune system may be able to fend off the attack. If not, a plantar wart may surface. Are children more likely to get plantar warts? Yes, children and teenagers are more likely to get plantar warts than adults. According to the National Library of Medicine, various studies show that up to 33% of children and teenagers have warts. Between 3-5% of adults, by comparison, have warts. Children and teenagers may be more likely to get plantar warts because of their environment. For instance, children and teenagers often use communal showers at pools or in locker rooms. If one child has a plantar wart, they may spread the virus to others. In some cases, children and teenagers may also get plantar warts due to a weakened immune system. How can a parent help a child get rid of plantar warts? A parent has several treatment options for their child if the child gets plantar warts. One is to allow plantar warts to go away on their own. Warts sometimes disappear in a few weeks or a few months on their own. During this period, parents should take precautions to avoid children spreading plantar warts to other body parts and people. But warts can be uncomfortable (and aesthetically displeasing), and may persist or even spread and multiply. In these instances, a parent or child may desire more immediate action. Fortunately, that's doable. A chiropodist or foot doctor can provide wart removal treatments. For children, parents may prefer less invasive treatment methods. We've ranked various treatment methods from less intrusive to more intrusive. Prescription Topical Solutions Cryotherapy Cantharone/Cantharone Plus Needling Excision How do I prevent my children from getting plantar warts? The key as a parent is to limit your child's exposure to HPV when in shared spaces. Fortunately, there are many measures you can take. Provide your child with sandals at school, the pool, or practice. Limiting their time barefoot in a locker room, a shower, or on deck at the pool can reduce their chances of catching HPV. Encourage healthy foot hygiene. Use positive reinforcement and teach your child to keep their feet clean and dry. Do not use instruments like pumice stones or nail files if previously used on a wart. Inspect your child's feet. Minor cuts or cracks in the skin put your child at greater risk of catching the plantar wart-causing virus. Apply a bandage or waterproof plaster on the area to reduce their exposure If your child partakes in activities requiring them to be barefoot, like gymnastics or dance, cover any warts with a bandage to preventspreading to other children.

November 3, 2022

Top 5 Benefits of Medical Pedicures

Medical pedicures are no ordinary cosmetic pedicure. And while the procedure skips the pretty toenail polish, they offer numerous foot health benefits that you won't get from your favourite nail salon and spa. Regular medical pedicures work wonders for nail health and keep your skin in good condition. What's more, chiropodists know the warning signs of foot conditions, so they can keep their eyes peeled for potential problems while performing your pedicure. Let's take a look at the top 5 benefits of medical pedicures! Medical pedicures prevent ingrown toenails Your chiropodist can detect foot abnormalities and conditions Say goodbye to foot odour Enjoy a thorough moisturizing session Safe and sterile environment Medical Pedicures Prevent Ingrown Toenails Ingrown toenails are something to avoid at all costs. Ingrown toenails grow into and pierce the skin, so while they may start out as a tiny problem, the pain can be immense if the ingrown toenail isn't properly dealt with. Not knowing how to cut your toenails properly can trigger ingrown toenail growth, so you should opt for a professional trim if you don't know what you're doing. Of course, medical pedicures include thorough nail trimming and filing. Cutting and filing straight across ensures smooth edges and lets the nail re-grow in the right direction. This can prevent ingrown toenails but also serves as a treatment for any pre-existing ones. Bonus tip: Try researching the best toenail clippers for added protection against ingrown toenails. Your Chiropodist Can Detect Foot Abnormalities and Conditions When you get a medical pedicure, a trained professional examines every inch of your foot. This is one of the most beneficial aspects of getting a pedicure at a foot clinic vs. a nail salon. If you have diabetes, getting a foot examination is even more crucial. Due to diabetic neuropathy, irregular glucose levels, and peripheral vascular disease, undetected foot abnormalities can make way for severe complications. These may include skin and bone infections, gangrene, abscesses, and even amputations. Here are some examples of what a chiropodist can look for during a medical pedicure: Warts Corns and calluses Signs of proper blood circulation Fungal infections Nerve function Signs of additional infection Say Goodbye to Foot Odour A medical pedicure includes sanitizing and thoroughly cleaning your feet. The process starts with cleaning the feet with alcohol, so the chiropodist has a clean base. This eliminates dead skin and bacteria on the bottom of the feet, eliminating unpleasant foot odour. To ensure foot odour doesn't come back, wash your feet regularly, wear socks with sneakers and use high-quality foot deodorants. Safe and Sterile Environment Everyone likes to feel pampered sometimes. But while salon pedicures are fun and relaxing, there can be a lack of cleanliness in some establishments. Manicure and pedicure salons can be breeding grounds for foot fungus and other concerning threats. When you go to a foot clinic, all eyes are on you. You have a space dedicated to your treatment, and your chiropodist only pays attention to your medical pedicure. Your foot specialist also uses only steam sterilized equipment that is sterilized after each use, and has plenty of time to ensure all medical practice standards are followed. But a salon may be jam-packed full of customers, and employees can easily forget to thoroughly clean tools when they're too busy. This is when viruses, fungus and bacteria come into the picture. Enjoy a Thorough Moisturizing Session If you think moisturizing only happens at a nail salon, think again. A chiropodist will use medical-strength moisturizing creams at the end of the medical pedicure. This intense treatment works to keep skin feeling soft and clean, restore natural elasticity, and fight common nuisances like dry, itchy skin.

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Do You have a Corn or a Plantar wart?

Here’s to Many More Years of Foot Care!

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Related Posts

Foot Corns 101: Causes, Prevention, and Removal Techniques

The Benefits of Custom Orthotics for Women

What are Corns and Calluses: Prevention and Treatment

Preventing the Spread of Plantar Warts: A Guide for Athletes and Gym-goers

Managing Plantar Warts in Children: A Guide for Parents

Top 5 Benefits of Medical Pedicures

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Carolina Charles

Patient Relation Coordinator (She/Her)

Book an Appointment

Book an Appointment

416-769-FEET(3338) 2481 Bloor St. W, Toronto info@feetfirstclinic.com

Mon – Fri: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm Sat : 9:00 am – 4:00 pm Sun : 10:00 am – 4:00 pm * *alternating

Book an Appointment

Share:

Do You have a Corn or a Plantar wart?

Here’s to Many More Years of Foot Care!

Related Services & Conditions

Newsletter Signup

Related Posts

Foot Corns 101: Causes, Prevention, and Removal Techniques

The Benefits of Custom Orthotics for Women

What are Corns and Calluses: Prevention and Treatment

Preventing the Spread of Plantar Warts: A Guide for Athletes and Gym-goers

Managing Plantar Warts in Children: A Guide for Parents

Top 5 Benefits of Medical Pedicures

Useful Links

About Us

Our Newsletter

Carolina Charles

Patient Relation Coordinator (She/Her)

Mon – Fri: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sat : 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Sun : 10:00 am – 4:00 pm *
*alternating