Sometimes doctors speak a different language. I am flying home after taking part in a lecture series at the podiatry school in Oakland, CA. There were 4 speakers from prestigious teaching hospitals lecturing to an audience of 2nd year medical students. I enjoy listening to my friends lecture, but as I looked at the audience it was a sea of blank expressions. It was like the lecture was in a foreign language and the interpreter had taken a break. I suddenly realized that the lectures and slides were complicated surgeries and doctor talk. These students have been in a classroom for 2 years working in the science of medicine. While this can be risky in healthy people, it can be very dangerous and very risky in those with poor circulation and/or diabetes. The use of “corn plasters” in those who are at risk or have frail skin are very likely to cause an ulcer (a breakdown of the skin) which could become easily infected as well. Customised padding on various areas of the foot to temporarily redistribute pressure, for example, you may need to wear little foam wedges between your toes. In spring 2010, just weeks before the UK general election, the wife of the then-Prime Minister Gordon Brown went on the election campaign trail in England. Bunions - Bunions are areas of the big toe that become red and sensitive because they are pushed toward the inside toe. Usually this is the result of wearing high heeled shoes if you have narrow toes. Common padding can be used to help relief pain, irritation and potential infection, but surgery may be necessary to re-align the toes to their proper positions. Bunions can occur in one or both feet. Most people don't seek medical attention for corns and calluses unless they are feeling pain and discomfort. The doctor can make a diagnosis by looking at your skin; there are no tests necessary to confirm their presence. I also bought some Bio-Oil for use on the scar. I haven’t started using it yet, but will when the dissolvable stitches have all come out (I’m nearly there, only one left in!). I found my scar/wound was very hard at first, and the E45 cream has gradually softened it up. I’m sure the Bio-Oil will be good for that as well. Corns and calluses are common non-harmful foot problems that develop over time. As they are often hidden for most of the time, they can easily get disregarded. Demanding urgent attention only when they have already painfully manifested, or worse, have already become inflamed. Corns are actually calluses that develop on the feet due to pressure or increased friction from wearing shoes. The skin thickens in response to this friction as a defensive mechanism, but this buildup of hardened skin can become painful. Corns often occur on the outside of the small toe where it rubs against a shoe. However, it can also occur on the top or even in between the toes. Identify the Cause When other measures do not bring full relief, a doctor may choose to trim the corn with a scalpel. An antibiotic ointment may be used to prevent infection and the toe padded as it heals. Salicylic Acid Providing quality foot and ankle care to every patient is our goal! Our doctors treat a range of foot and ankle conditions, from heel and arch pain, to more complex diabetic foot care management. We invite you to learn more about the services we provide below. If you have any questions, or would like to meet with one of our doctors, please contact us directly. Other types of fractures include those as a result of direct trauma. Dropping a heavy object or twisting the foot or ankle can cause a fracture. It is recommended that you contact your podiatrist if you think you might have a foot or ankle fracture. The human foot is a marvel of engineering. It absorbs the equivalent of 2,265 kilograms of built-up pressure every single day with most people spending about 80 percent of their waking hours on their feet. The foot holds up to a lot of abuse including walking on hard surfaces and being enclosed in ill-fitting shoes. Four muscles in the lower leg control foot movement. All of these muscles are at work even when a person is standing in place because the lower limbs need to support and balance the rest of the body. When these muscles experience fatigue, foot pain and swelling are some of the results.