A soft corn is the buildup of skin between the toes. Contrary to its name, this type of skin is often hard and this condition can be quite painful.

The most common place for a soft corn is the inside surface of the little toe. Oftentimes, a patient will complain of severe pain in their little toe and not know why. One would not necessarily know to look between the toes. Even if you did, the soft corn could be so small you wouldn’t expect it to cause such severe pain.

Soft corns can also happen between other toes. The simple reason as to why these occur in the first place is excessive friction. Two toes have to be rubbing together for a soft corn to develop. Sometimes the reason is due to toe deformities, such as when the toes are curled, however, even straight toes can develop soft corns.

When a patient presents with pain in the toes, we always recommend to have x-rays taken. We’re looking for bone spurs, arthritis, bone tumors, fractures and bone infections. Knowing the cause of the problem allows us to determine a long-term solution rather than just treating the symptoms.

Diabetics are most at risk....

A diabetic patient with a soft corn on their feet can lead to a very serious problem.
It is very important to seek attention by a specialist right away. A soft corn can lead to an open wound, an infection, and ultimately an amputation.

Because a lot of people with diabetes have numbness in their toes, it is important to inspect their toes on a daily basis. Anything that looks suspicious should be addressed by a podiatrist immediately. Attempting to self-treat this kind of condition can lead to larger and much worse problems and even amputation.

The worst thing for anyone to do who feels or sees something between the toes is to treat it with an over-the-counter medicated product. Not only is it a waste of money, it isn’t effective. We've seen these products make the situation worse.

There is often a simple solution to most foot conditions. What makes it more difficult is that people wait longer than necessary and try to self-treat. It also doesn’t help that the Internet is available to often misguide you.

If you are experiencing pain in your toes and don’t know why, or you know a soft corn is present, we recommend a professional evaluation. You don’t have to let a simple condition lead to a major problem. Please call our office at 954- 455-9404 to schedule an appointment or book online now here.