Dermatology

Can you pull the root of a corn out?

No you can’t. That is becasue they do not have roots. Corns having “roots” that they grow back from (like a number of plants do) is a myth. Corns are are thickening of the skin that is caused by too much pressure on the area. The...

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How to have good foot hygiene?

Foot hygiene is so important as we expect so much of our feet. They carry our body weight and we put them in the dark and moist environment of shoes that bacteria and fungi love to grow in. Having good foot hygiene is actually pretty simple, and it...

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How do podiatrists remove corns?

With great skill! A corn is due to there being too much pressure (and maybe a bit of friction) over a small area. In response to that pressure, the skin becomes thicker to protect itself. This is a normal process. However, if the excessive pressure...

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What happens if corns are left untreated?

They will hurt They may become infected and ulcerate If the cause of a corn on the foot is still there and no treatment is started, then it will just keep on getting worse and become even more painful. It may eventually ulcerate and become infected...

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How do corns spread?

They don’t. Corns do not spread. They are not caused by an infectious agent (ie bacteria or virus) and are not contagious. You do not catch a corn from contact with another person (you can catch a verruca or warts from another person as its...

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How to treat onychophosis?

Onychophosis is a painful thickening of the skin in the nail groove down the side of a toenail that often get confused with an ingrown toenail. The only way to treat an onychophosis is by either removing the cause or removing the symptoms: Treat the...

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What is onychophosis?

Onychophosis is probably one of the most common painful conditions that affects the toenails. It is most commonly described as “the side of the toenail hurts, but its not ingrown“. Onychophosis is the development of a corn or callus in...

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Are corns contagious?

No they are not. They are NOT contagious, in that you do not catch them from other people. For something to be infectious it has to be caused by a bug (bacteria, virus, fungus or parasite) that can be transmitted from one person to another. Corns on...

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What is pachyonychia congenita?

Pachyonychia congenita (PC) is a rare genetic disorder that affects the development of skin, hair, and nails of the hand and feet. It is caused by mutations in one of several genes, including KRT6A, KRT6B, KRT6C, KRT16, or KRT17, which provide...

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