Corns and Calluses: 5 Reasons Your Feet Keep Developing Them

It’s sandal season. But if you’re dealing with corns or calluses, you might not be excited about putting your feet on display.

This gets extra frustrating when you remove a corn or callus only to have it come back. If you’re repeatedly dealing with this buildup of thick skin, it’s probably time to make a change. 

At Rogers Foot & Ankle Institute, our team can help you identify what’s behind your recurring corns or calluses. Then, we offer treatment to help get rid of them for good. Come visit us at either of our offices in American Fork or Saratoga Springs, Utah.

We’ll help you figure out why your callus or corn keeps coming back. For most people, it’s due to one or more of these factors. 

#1: The wrong shoes

Calluses and corn are defense mechanisms. Your feet develop these areas of thickened skin because of repeated friction. 

If you’re wearing shoes that are too small, they can squeeze and press your skin with every step you take. The same goes for high-heeled and pointed-toed shoes. 

Consider if you have specific footwear that makes your callus or corn worse. If so, it’s probably time to put away those shoes. 

#2: A problem with your foot

Sometimes, a foot deformity leads to a certain part of your foot rubbing in your shoe. If you have hammer toe, the way your toe bends upward can cause it to rub on the top of your shoe. The resulting friction can result in a callus. 

If you always get a corn or callus in the same spot, no matter what shoes you wear, it could be a sign of a foot issue. We can perform an exam to check for any underlying issues. 

#3: The way you walk

Abnormalities in your gait can cause you to put too much pressure on certain parts of your foot. That leads to excess friction, contributing to corns and calluses. 

We offer gait analysis to assess the way you walk. This allows us to see if you need some gait correction to avoid future calluses and corns. 

#4: Not dealing with past calluses and corns

When you don’t fully get rid of the thickened skin, the added volume invites future pressure on the area. Your corn or callus might keep coming back because you didn’t fully remove it in the first place. 

We can help. We offer everything from medicated patches to surgical removal.

#5: The wrong gear for the activity

When you protect your feet, they don’t have to rely on their natural defensive mechanisms like calluses and corns. Make sure you wear the right shoes and socks for the activity. For example, if you’re going on a hike, choose hiking boots and thick socks. 

Clearly, a lot of issues could be in play if your callus or corn keeps coming back. We can help you figure out what’s affecting your unique feet so you can finally say goodbye to thickened skin. Contact us to make an appointment by calling (801) 756-4200 today.