Common problems

Corns on the foot: relieve this localized foot pain

You feel a sharp pain on the top of your second toe. Every step in your shoes triggers that nagging discomfort. You discover a small circular area of hard, yellowish skin. This painful prominence forces you to change your gait.

Or maybe that feeling of having a stone in your shoe between your toes persists despite repeated checks. This localized pain interferes with your daily activities.

You probably suffer from corns, these localized accumulations of thickened skin that create painful pressure on the underlying tissues.

What is a corn on the foot?

A corn is a localized and concentrated thickening of the surface layer of the skin. Unlike calluses that extend over wider areas, corns grow on a specific point of friction or repeated pressure.

This keratin buildup forms a conical central nucleus that penetrates inward, compressing the underlying tissues. This inverted cone-shaped structure explains the characteristic pain — like stepping on a nail or a thorn.

Hard corns (heloma durum) appear on surfaces exposed to dry friction. The tops of the toes, the prominent joints, the outer sides of the fifth toes — these areas are subject to the constant friction of the shoes. The skin becomes thick, hard and yellowish.

Soft corns (heloma molle), commonly known as partridge’s eye, develop between the toes in a moist environment. Maceration makes the horn whitish and spongy rather than hard. This variety nevertheless causes severe pain, amplified by the sensitivity of the interdigital skin.

Subungual corns form under the toenails, creating painful pressure between the nail and the nail bed. This particular location complicates self-processing.

Causes of Foot Corns

Toe deformities are the main cause. Hammer, claw, or mallet toes create bony prominences that rub against the shoes. These angulated joints are under constant pressure, stimulating the formation of corns.

Unsuitable shoes make the problem much worse. Shoes that are too tight that compress the toes. Rough inner seams that irritate the skin. Shoes with a pointed toe that force the toes into unnatural positions. These mechanical factors keep the friction responsible for corns.

Hallux valgus (bunion) pushes adjacent toes against each other, creating interdigital pressure points. This deformity particularly favours interdigital corns.

Biomechanical abnormalities change the distribution of pressures during walking. A foot that pronounces excessively or has an arch that is too high alters the normal mechanics, creating areas of abnormal friction.

Professional activity also influences the development of corns. Occupations that require repeated kneeling positions or the wearing of rigid safety shoes increase the risks.

Difference Between Foot Corns and Plantar Warts

This confusion occurs frequently. Corns and plantar warts both appear as areas of painful skin thickening. However, their nature differs fundamentally.

A corn is the result of mechanical pressure. The plantar wart comes from a viral infection (human papillomavirus). On close examination, the wart has small black dots (thrombosed blood vessels). The horn shows a translucent central core without these characteristic points.

The pain also differs. The horn hurts when the vertical direct pressure is used. The wart causes pain during lateral compression (pinching). This distinction helps to guide the diagnosis.

Professional treatment of corns

At Médecine podiatrique du Plateau, Drs. Sandra Gendron, Dr. Stephen Davis and Dr. Émile Carrier, podiatrists, treat corns with a comprehensive approach.

Podiatric debridement meticulously removes the corn. We use sterilized scalpel blades to enucleate the central nucleus. This precise extraction immediately relieves painful pressure. The procedure, which could seem impressive, is painless when performed correctly on thickened skin.

For a corn between the toes, we reduce the skin thickness and sometimes place toe separators. These foam or silicone devices maintain proper spacing, reducing the friction that causes recurrence.

Subungual corns often require thinning or reduction of the nail to remove pressure on the underlying corn.

Beyond symptomatic relief, we identify structural causes. Biomechanical examination reveals pressure imbalances. The analysis of your toe deformities guides therapeutic recommendations.

Custom-made foot orthotics correct biomechanical abnormalities contributing to corns. By optimising pressure distribution, these devices reduce the mechanical stresses responsible.

Specialized protective pads cushion vulnerable areas. Gel tubes to protect toes. Foam dressings to reduce friction. Felt rings surrounding the horn to redistribute pressure. These accessories extend the relief between professional treatments.

Recommendations for the right footwear are crucial. Sufficient toe box height to accommodate deformations. Suitable width to avoid compression. Soft materials that do not create friction points.

Dr. Émile Carrier, podiatrist and co-owner of our clinic, emphasizes: “Over-the-counter products containing salicylic acid carry risks, especially for people living with diabetes or with compromised circulation. These products dissolve the skin indiscriminately, creating chemical burns on adjacent healthy tissue. The professional intervention precisely removes the corn without damaging the surrounding skin. »

Prevention of recurrence

Corns will inevitably recur if the mechanical causes persist. Debridement offers temporary relief, but without correction of the causal factors, the corn reforms within a few weeks.

Wear appropriate footwear that offers generous space for your toes. Avoid shoes with pointed toes and high heels that compress the forefoot.

If you have toe deformities, consult a doctor to evaluate corrective options. Orthotics, toe separators, and in some cases, corrective surgery may be necessary for lasting resolution.

When to consult?

If your corns cause pain that limits your activities, if you observe signs of infection (redness, heat, drainage), if you live with diabetes (never try self-treatment), or if corns recur quickly despite your precautions, consult for a professional evaluation.

For the treatment of your corns and calluses, contact us at 819-800-1212 or fill out the contact form to schedule an appointment.

Podiatric consultations are NOT covered by the RAMQ. Private insurance can cover our services. Find out about your coverage before you show up. We do not do direct billing.

Foreign body in the foot: safe extraction and prevention of complications

You walk barefoot at home. Sharp pain stops you in your tracks. You examine your foot. A small wound bleeds slightly. You try to see if what hurt you has lodged in your foot. You can’t find anything, but the walk is painful.

The days go by. The wound refuses to heal. Redness spreads around the site. The area becomes tender and swollen. This persistent pain prevents you from walking normally.

A foreign body lodged in your foot often requires professional extraction to avoid infectious complications and ensure complete healing.

Common types of foreign bodies in the foot

Wood splinters are the most common type. These fragments easily penetrate the skin, especially at the sole of the foot where the skin thickness is important. Wood fragments easily during extraction attempts, leaving pieces deeply buried.

Glass shards occur when walking on debris. The glass is radiopaque, which makes it easier to locate by X-ray. Its smooth, sharp surface can penetrate deep into tissues without breaking.

Plant thorns (rose, cactus, hawthorn) often have prickles or hairs that anchor them in the tissues. This structure makes extraction difficult and promotes the inflammatory response.

Metal fragments (nails, staples, splinters) penetrate deep during piercing trauma. Rusty metal increases the risk of infection, including tetanus.

Signs that a foreign body in the foot persists

Localized pain that persists beyond a few days suggests the presence of a residual foreign body. This pain intensifies when pressing or walking.

Chronic inflammation manifests as persistent redness, swelling, and local warmth. The wound refuses to heal completely despite proper care.

Intermittent drainage of fluid or pus often indicates an infected foreign body. The organism attempts to expel foreign material through this process of drainage.

The formation of a cyst or subcutaneous mass is sometimes the result of the encapsulation of the foreign body by the tissues. This defensive reaction isolates foreign material but creates a palpable and sometimes painful mass.

Risks of untreated foreign bodies in the foot

Infection is the most common complication. The bacteria enter with the foreign body or secondarily colonize the wound. Without treatment, the infection can spread to deep tissues, tendons, or even bone.

Organic foreign bodies (wood, plant thorns) trigger intense inflammatory reactions. These materials break down in tissues, amplifying the immune response and prolonging inflammation.

Tetanus threatens when objects contaminated by soil penetrate deeply. This life-threatening infection warrants checking your vaccination status and updating it if necessary.

Damage to deep structures occurs when the foreign body reaches tendons, nerves, or blood vessels. These complications sometimes require specialized surgical management.

Professional removal of a foreign body from the foot at our clinic

At Médecine podiatrique du Plateau, podiatrists Dr. Sandra Gendron, Dr. Stephen Davis and Dr. Émile Carrier safely extract foreign bodies under sterile conditions.

If necessary, we use local anesthesia for your comfort. An injection of lidocaine completely numbs the area, allowing for painless careful extraction.

If necessary, on-site X-rays locate radiopaque foreign bodies (glass, metal). This imaging guides the incision and extraction, minimizing tissue damage. Non-radiopaque materials (wood, plastic, plant thorns) require precise clinical localization and sometimes careful surgical exploration.

Musculoskeletal ultrasound visualizes certain non-radiopaque foreign bodies. This technology detects splinters and assesses the inflammatory response of the surrounding tissues.

After complete extraction, we clean the wound thoroughly. This pressure washing removes debris and reduces bacterial load. Irrigation is a crucial step in preventing infection.

If the infection has developed, we prescribe appropriate antibiotics. Deeply infected wounds sometimes require debridement (removal of necrotic tissue) to promote healing.

We check and update your tetanus protection as recommended. This precaution protects against a potentially serious complication.

Dr. Émile Carrier, podiatrist and co-owner of our clinic, warns against home treatments: “Attempts at home extraction often fragment the foreign body, complicating subsequent extraction. Early professional intervention avoids these complications and ensures complete removal under optimal conditions.”

Prevention of foreign bodies in the foot

Wear appropriate footwear in risky environments. Construction sites, yards with plant debris, rocky beaches: these situations warrant adequate protection.

Inspect your surroundings before walking barefoot. Check decks, lawns and floors for potential hazards.

Keep your outdoor spaces clean. Pick up wood debris, broken glass, and stray nails.

For people living with diabetes or neuropathy, barefoot walking is not recommended, even indoors. The loss of sensitivity delays the detection of foreign objects, allowing deep penetration before you notice the problem.

When to consult?

Consult a doctor quickly if you are unable to completely remove a foreign body, if the pain persists for more than a few days, if signs of infection appear (increasing redness, heat, purulent drainage), or if you are not sure if your tetanus vaccination is up to date.

For a safe removal of a foreign body from your foot, contact us at 819-800-1212 or fill out the contact form by clicking here.

Podiatric consultations are NOT covered by RAMQ. Private insurance usually covers our services.

Athlete’s foot: treating and preventing this common fungal infection

You take off your socks at the end of the day. That persistent itch between your toes has been tormenting you for weeks. The skin whitens and peels. An unpleasant smell emanates from your feet despite rigorous hygiene.

You apply moisturizers. The irritation worsens. That redness that extends between your toes resists all your self-treatment efforts.

You probably suffer from athlete’s foot, the most common fungal infection affecting the feet. This skin fungus, medically called tinea pedis, affects millions of people every year.

What is athlete’s foot?

Athlete’s foot results from infection with microscopic fungi (dermatophytes) that proliferate in warm, humid environments. These organisms feed on the keratin present in the superficial layer of your skin.

The name “athlete’s foot”, or tinea pedis, comes from the high frequency of this infection in athletes. Athletic shoes create an ideal environment for fungal growth. Heat, humidity and maceration: these conditions favour the rapid multiplication of fungi.

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to be an athlete to develop this infection. Anyone exposing their feet to prolonged moisture is at risk.

The infection typically affects the spaces between the toes, especially between the fourth and fifth toes. The interdigital form represents the most common type. The moccasin shape covers the sole and sides of the foot with a dry, flaky layer. The rarer vesicular form causes fluid-filled blisters.

Symptoms of athlete’s foot

Itching is the dominant symptom. This unpleasant feeling often intensifies after you take off your shoes or when your feet become wet.

The skin between your toes turns white and becomes soft (maceration). It flakes into small shreds. Painful cracks may appear in the interdigital spaces. These crevices create entry points for secondary bacterial infections.

Redness and inflammation border the affected areas. Dry, flaky skin sometimes extends over the sole and sides of the foot. The unpleasant odour results from the breakdown of skin tissue by fungi and the associated bacterial overgrowth.

The infection spreads easily to toenails, causing thickening, yellowish discoloration, and crumbling. This extension significantly complicates the treatment. This is nail fungus, or onychomycosis.

Diagnosis and treatment at our clinic

At Médecine podiatrique du Plateau, podiatrists Dr. Sandra Gendron, Dr. Stephen Davis and Dr. Émile Carrier diagnose athlete’s foot through a clinical examination. The characteristic appearance and typical location quickly guide the diagnosis.

Consulting one of our podiatrists is helpful in distinguishing this problem from other skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis.

In atypical or treatment-resistant cases, we can take a skin sample for mycological confirmation in the laboratory. This analysis precisely identifies the responsible organism and guides the optimal therapeutic choice.

Treatment is mainly based on topical antifungals. Creams, powders, or sprays containing antifungals like ciclopirox olamine or terbinafine. Daily application for two to four weeks. It is important to treat for this duration to prevent recurrence rather than treating only until symptoms stop.

Your podiatrist can also prescribe specialized dressings that wick away moisture, get to the root of the problem while avoiding the disadvantage of using creams, which is to maintain a moist environment, especially between the toes.

For widespread, severe or recalcitrant infections, we can prescribe oral antifungals. These systemic medications reach the fungi that topical treatments do not penetrate properly. A treatment of several weeks may be necessary for complete eradication, especially if the nails are also affected.

If the nails are infected, their treatment becomes essential. Fungal nails serve as a reservoir of fungi that constantly reinfect the treated skin. We offer treatment options for nail fungus, including specialized topical treatments and oral antifungals.

Secondary bacterial infections sometimes require antibiotics. The deep cracks between the toes allow bacteria to seep in. This superinfection manifests itself in increased redness, purulent drainage and intensified pain.

Dr. Émile Carrier, podiatrist and co-owner of our clinic, explains that athlete’s foot frequently recurs if the factors that promote fungal growth persist. Treatment of active infection should be accompanied by rigorous preventive measures to avoid re-infection.

Athlete’s foot prevention

Keep your feet dry. Dry thoroughly between the toes after each wash or exposure to water. This step, which is often neglected, is your best protection.

Change your socks daily, more frequently if your feet are sweating profusely. Choose socks made of moisture-wicking fibers rather than cotton that retains it.

Alternate your shoes. Wear different pairs each day to allow for thorough drying. Wet shoes promote fungal growth.

Wear sandals in locker rooms, public showers and swimming pools. The moist surfaces of these environments are home to fungi that easily infect bare feet.

Apply preventive antifungal powders if you have a susceptibility to recurrent infections. This proactive approach significantly reduces recidivism.

Treat hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) if you have it. Excessive moisture control protects against fungal infections. Your podiatrist may prescribe products to treat this problem.

When to consult?

If symptoms persist despite two weeks of over-the-counter treatment, consult one of our podiatrists. Resistant infections require stronger antifungals or investigation to rule out other skin pathologies.

The presence of signs of secondary bacterial infection — intense redness, heat, purulent drainage, fever — warrants a prompt assessment. These complications require antibiotic treatment.

People living with diabetes or immunosuppression should seek medical attention as soon as symptoms appear. In these vulnerable populations, a minor fungal infection can progress to serious complications.

If you have any questions about athlete’s foot or to make an appointment, contact us at 819 800-1212 or fill out the contact form.

Podiatric consultations are NOT covered by the RAMQ. However, several private insurance plans cover our services.

Does your child go to the pool and come back with bumps under their feet? Don’t delay. He may have caught contagious plantar warts. If you are an adult, you should know that this problem can also affect you.

What is a plantar wart?

A plantar wart is a lesion on the skin caused by a virus, the papillomavirus or human papillomavirus. Small blackheads and a crust of hard skin or horns can sometimes be observed at the lesion. It is important to recognize and eliminate them as quickly as possible before they grow and spread. This virus is found on the ground and is usually caught by walking barefoot. This is why they are more often found in children. It is therefore advisable to wear sandals, shoes or stockings in public places to avoid contamination. A good cleaning of the shower and bath at home is also recommended.

How to remove or treat plantar warts at home?

Grandma’s remedies such as essential oils and duct tape to remove the wart root are not effective. Several products are available in pharmacies. There are salicylic acid dressings (Compound W) and cold treatments (cryotherapy) that try to destroy the wart with liquid nitrogen. However, these types of treatments are often too weak to eliminate the virus completely. Sometimes, their ineffectiveness even causes an increase in the size of warts and the development of new warts.

Why won’t my wart go away and hurt?

It is important to make the correct diagnosis and not to confuse your wart with other skin problems such as fungus, blisters, corns or calluses. This could explain the failure of basic treatments and the pain.

Who should I consult or see to treat and remove my wart?

The podiatrist will be able to offer you more effective treatments to treat and quickly remove your plantar wart that seems impossible to treat and ensure the correct diagnosis;

• Treatment with prescription salicylic acid cream
• Treatment with acid, cantharidin and podophyllin
• Bleomycin injection (click to learn more about this treatment for resistant warts)
• Surgical curettage

The podiatrist will also be able to tell you when the wart virus has died. To do this, he uses a specialized lamp called a dermatoscope. This allows him to see the signs of plantar warts or to notice their absence as if in a magnifying glass.

The clinical examination of your podiatrist during a treatment of nails and skin (foot care) allows to detect and treat plantar warts.

Click here to make an appointment with a podiatrist and have your plantar wart treated.

819 800-1212