Seed corn on foot is a tiny type of foot corn and like other types of corn, it is caused mainly due to pressure and friction applied on the foot. Seed corns are thickened areas on the skin that can develop on your feet and toes, making walking painful.
Seed corns can appear on the soles of your feet and may appear similar to other foot lesions such as calluses. Seed corn on foot can be caused by various factors and they are of different types, let’s take a look at what seed corn on foot is all about.
SEED CORN ON FOOT
The medical term for seed corn is heloma miliare. Seed corn on foot appears as a dry, circular stiff bump and can form anywhere on the foot, but most times it is found on the bottom of the heel and the ball of the foot. Seed corn on foot forms as a way for the skin to protect itself from repetitive friction, irritation, and rubbing.
SEED CORN ON FOOT FORMATION
Just as we have stated, seed corn on foot is caused due to repetitive friction, irritation, and rubbing of the foot, but there are different ways in which seed corn can be formed.
1. SHOE SEED CORN FORMATION: Seed corn on foot can develop due to constant rubbing that can cause friction injuries from loose shoes as they can cause excessive rubbing in some areas of your foot. Fitted shoes will keep these problems away.
2. SOCK SEED CORN FORMATION: Socks can help prevent seed corn formation on the foot because it helps to reduce excess friction from your shoes, but at the same, they can also be the reason you have seed corn on your foot. If your socks are too tight or loose, they can cause the formation of seed corn in your foot.
3. STRESS: Consistent stress or friction to the skin of your feet can cause foot seed corn. When you run or walk up and down a hill for a long period, over a far distance, or even walking or standing on hard surfaces can lead to seed corn formation on your foot.
SYMPTOMS
Common symptoms of seed corn on foot include:
– Reduced sensitivity to touch than the surrounding skin.
– Thick hardened areas of the skin where there is repeated pressure on the skin.
– Raised bump of the hardened skin.
– Pain, redness, and blisters in the raised bump area of the skin.
TREATMENT
With simple home remedies, seed corn can be treated. If you have seed corns on your feet, here are a few things you could do to help treat them:
1. Soak your feet in warm soapy water: This can help soften the affected area. You should keep your feet in warm soapy water for about 5-10 minutes.
2. Reduce the thick, hard skin: You can do this by using any of the following processes:
i. Filing away the thickened skin due to seed corn using either a pumice stone or even an emery board, can help treat seed corn on your feet. Ensure you do this gently and carefully, to avoid injury. If you have an underlying condition that affects your feet, do not do this yourself, ensure to call the help of a professional to prevent any complications.
ii. Use of over-the-counter medication. These medications are available either as liquids or as pads and they contain salicylic acid. Do not use these if you are diabetic or you have any condition that can affect your blood flow.
3. Moisturize: Using a moisturizer on the soles of your feet could be hydrating and help soften your skin.
4. Consider wearing fitting footwear: While treating seed corn on foot, you should consider changing your footwear from wearing loose or very tight shoes or socks, to wearing fitted ones.
PREVENTION
You can do the following things to prevent seed corn from forming or reappearing on your feet:
– Choose shoes carefully: Wear shoes that are comfortable and well fitted. Your shoes should be well-cushioned and have shock-absorbing soles. Check that your foot doesn’t slide back and forth when you walk and that there is plenty of toe room and that there is plenty of toe room and that you are comfortable when you wiggle your toes to be sure the shot isn’t tight.
– Wear socks: Your socks should neither be too tight nor too loose. It is supposed to help reduce friction on your feet when you wear it with your footwear.
– Moisturize: The feet are one of the often overlooked parts of the body and often you may forget to moisturize them seed corns are associated with dry skin. But when you make it a habit to moisturize your feet, you can prevent the forming or recurrence of seed corn on your feet.
– Use pads or inserts: You may consider using cushioned stick-on pads or removable shoe inserts as they can help to ease pressure and friction on specific areas of your feet.
SUMMARY
Seed corns typically form on the dole of the feet due to excessive stress, friction, or pressure put on the feet, either from wearing the wrong type of footwear or from dry skin of the feet due to lack of moisturizing.
Although most seed corns disappear slowly after you have carried out the home remedy recommended in this article or you carry out the preventive measures, in a situation where seed corn persists, you should consult your doctor to determine the best treatment option for you