Corns and Calluses

Corns are small lumps of hard skin, whereas calluses are comparatively larger and irregular patches of rough skin. Corns normally develop due to bone pressure against the skin and form on the top, sides, and bottom of the feet and toes, while calluses can develop anywhere on the body where there is repeated friction. Some kids have more playtime hours than others and their feet are likely to develop corns and calluses due to excessive friction and usage. 

There are different factors that contribute to the development of corns and calluses on your child's feet. A very common reason may be that your child often plays barefoot outside. Recurrent and persistent contact with rough surfaces compels your child's feet to harden in an attempt to protect themselves. 

Another very common reason is your child being a junior athlete. Kids who engage in plenty of physical activities are prone to developing corns and calluses. Other factors include wearing the same shoes every time, wearing ill-fitting shoes, and not wearing socks.

Management and Treatment

The first and foremost way of addressing corns and calluses is wearing shoes that properly fit. Children's feet grow at a fast pace, so it's important to realize when to get them bigger shoes. Uncomfortable and confined footwear facilitates the growth of corns and calluses.

Similarly, it is essential that your child does not stick to only one pair of shoes, as the rubbing and repeated friction between feet and the same parts of the shoes causes the skin to harden. Therefore, alternation is important. 

Socks act to prevent the rubbing of the feet within the shoes; hence, you should encourage your kids to wear socks before putting on shoes so they can prevent the development of blisters, corns, and calluses. 

Pediatric podiatrists, dermatologists, and other healthcare professionals have shared multiple remedies to cure corns and calluses. The commonest one is soaking your child's feet in warm water and adding salts to it to soften the corns and calluses. Once the feet have been soaked, gentle filing of the hardened skin should be done. It is advised to practice the routine at least once a day for 10 to 20 minutes. Also, be mindful of not filing too deep as it may lead to bleeding and infection.

Another solution is to apply lotion daily to prevent the hard skin from cracking. However, keep in mind that you should avoid rubbing lotion between the toes and let the skin there soften on its own. Search for a moisturizing cream with salicylic acid, ammonium lactate, or urea. These ingredients will eventually soften hard corns and calluses.

It can get quite painful when corn makes contact with the shoe, making it difficult to walk and perform daily activities for your child. To counteract, padding is a wonderful therapeutic tool that you can place within your child's shoes to cushion his/her callus or corn. Doughnut-shaped adhesive pads are suitable for surrounding the corn and preventing pain and irritation. These pads can be easily found at drugstores.

It is important to keep your child's toenails trimmed, as long nails push up against shoes, leading to the formation of corn over time. So, to reduce this pressure, encourage your kids to get their toenails trimmed on a regular basis.