What is the treatment for a painful heloma (corn) on the foot?

From the Guidelines

To treat a painful heloma (corn) on the foot, it is recommended to start with conservative management, including soaking the foot in warm water, applying a corn pad with 40% salicylic acid, and filing the corn with a pumice stone or emery board, as well as wearing comfortable, properly fitting shoes with adequate toe room and using cushioning products to reduce friction and pressure. This approach is supported by the most recent and highest quality study, which emphasizes the importance of pressure redistribution and cushioning in preventing the development of hyperkeratosis, including corns and calluses 1.

Key Considerations

• The use of a validated tool to assess hyperkeratosis can help monitor and manage the condition, as recommended in the British Journal of Dermatology study 1.
• Debridement of the corn by a podiatrist may be necessary if the corn is particularly painful or does not improve with home treatment, as noted in the study on foot care in epidermolysis bullosa 1.
• It is essential to address any underlying foot deformities, such as hammertoes, and to wear properly fitting shoes to prevent further friction and pressure on the affected area, as suggested in the Diabetes Care study 1.

Treatment Options

• Soaking the foot in warm water for 5-10 minutes to soften the hardened skin
• Applying a corn pad containing 40% salicylic acid directly over the corn, following package instructions
• Gently filing the corn with a pumice stone or emery board to remove dead skin
• Wearing comfortable, properly fitting shoes with adequate toe room to prevent pressure on the affected area
• Using cushioning products like moleskin pads or silicone toe sleeves to reduce friction and pressure

When to Seek Professional Help

• If the corn is particularly painful or does not improve after 2 weeks of home treatment
• If there are any signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or increased pain
• If there are any underlying foot deformities that need to be addressed, such as hammertoes or bunions.

From the FDA Drug Label

The preferable method of use is to apply Salicylic Acid 6% thoroughly to the affected area and to cover the treated area at night after washing and before retiring. The treatment for a painful heloma (corn) on the foot is to apply salicylic acid 6% to the affected area, preferably at night, after washing and hydrating the skin for at least five minutes. The treated area should be covered and the medication washed off in the morning. If necessary, a bland cream or lotion may be applied to reduce drying and irritation 2.

From the Research

Treatment Options for Painful Heloma (Corn) on the Foot

• The primary treatment approach for painful heloma (corn) on the foot involves providing symptomatic relief and alleviating the underlying mechanical cause 3.
• Conservative management using properly fitting shoes and padding to redistribute mechanical forces can help manage most lesions 3.
• Over-the-counter (OTC) topical salicylic acid has short-term benefits for corns and calluses, while pads and inserts that redistribute contact forces have long-term benefits 4.
• Inserts are commonly recommended to redistribute forefoot pressure and relieve pain 4.
• Footwear modification and relief from the inciting event or cause are the first line of treatment for painful syndromes of the foot, including corns 5.
• Surgical treatment is usually not indicated for corns, as the rate of recurrences is high and the resulting scars may lead to the same complaints 6.
• In some cases, microwave energy treatment has been shown to be effective in reducing pain associated with hard corns, but further research is needed to fully assess its potential 7.