Category Archives: CORNS & CALLUSES

Toe Separators for Overlapping Toes

Summer time is quickly approaching.

Are you ready to bare your feet OR are you in panic mode wondering what you can do to minimize the appearance of ugly, overlapping toes?

PICTURE OF CROOKED TOES FOR POST TOE SEPARATORS FOR OVERLAPPING TOES

No worries… if you do fall into that latter category and are suffering from crooked toes, I can help!

Did you know that there are non-surgical options to achieve better-looking, healthier feet… even if you are already suffering from crooked, overlapping toes?

Below, I would like to discuss not only the benefits of a little product called a toe separator, but also recommend my absolute favorite toe separators for overlapping toes.PICTURE OF HIDING FEET FOR POST TOE SEPARATORS FOR OVERLAPPING TOES

You will be amazed at how such a small, economical device can, over time, save you from not only the embarrassment of being blessed with imperfect feet but also relieve the pain and complications associated with overlapping toes from conditions such has corns and calluses, hammertoes, bunions and many other foot deformities.


Why Do Our Toes Become Crooked and/or Overlap?

We have already established your problem… crooked, overlapping toes.

Before we establish what toe separators are and how they are used to correct overlapping toes, you need some background on exactly how and why you develop crooked, bent toes.

Let’s think about this…

Most of us wear tight shoes the majority of the time… which, by the way, is the most common culprit of toe deformities.

Let me explain…

When our feet are crammed into most shoegear, it forces our toes to bend. This bending places and holds our toes at unnatural angles.

PICTURE OF HOW SHOES AFFECT FOOT STRUCTURE IN POST TOE SEPARATORS FOR OVERLAPPING TOES

Over time, these unnatural, bent angles force the tendons and ligaments of the toes to accept these new angles as “normal” and they begin to contract, or shorten and permanently assume this new, deformed position.

As a result of the tendons becoming too short and tight, the development of not only foot deformities such as hammertoes and bunions but also painful corns and calluses begins to prosper.

Well… the solution to your problem is a little product called a toe separator.


What are Toe Separators and How are They Used for Overlapping Toes?

What actually is a toe separator?PICTURE OF TOE SEPARATORS FOR OVERLAPPING TOES

Toe separators are small devices made of medical-grade gel that, when placed between the toes, have the ability to spread, stretch and exercise the joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles of the toes via lifting and separating them.

This, in turn, stimulates the toes to “uncurl” and will reverse many years of damage to your feet by re-structuring your feet to their original alignment.

How can this be possible?

With the use of toe spacers/separators, your feet are held in a more anatomically correct alignment.

With consistent use of toe separators, over time, the intrinsic muscles, tendons and ligaments that were once forced to contract are gently stretched, slowly lengthened and any adhesions that were formed are broken down.

This increase in strength and flexibility encourages the toes to uncurl thus minimizing notPICTURE OF BEFORE AND AFTER USE OF TOE SEPARATORS FOR OVERLAPPING TOES only the appearance of crooked toes and other foot deformities via assuming a more natural, optimal shape, but also reverses the numerous complications that result from these deformities.

Our feet are now able to resume their more natural position which makes walking and other physical activity far more comfortable.

Sounds pretty amazing, right?

I mean… we are talking about a safe, simple, cost-effective and natural, non-surgical solution to fight the appearance of ugly feet and toes!

You absolutely cannot beat that!


CALL TO ACTION TO BUY TOE SEPARATORS FOR OVERLAPPING TOES


What are the Benefits of Utilizing Toe Separators for Overlapping Toes?

With the recent craze over toe separators for overlapping toes, more and more studies have been performed on the effectiveness and benefits of their use.EXCELLENT

Initially, toe separators were typically viewed as a money-making gimmick, but… after researching the effects and benefits of the long-term use of these simplistic products, they have gained much respect within the medical community and now are often recommended by not only podiatrists, like me, but by many professionals in all fields of medicine.

Some benefits found via the use of toe separators for overlapping toes include, but are not limited to, the following (in no particular order):

  • Prevents toe pain caused by the toes rubbing against one another
  • Relieves general foot pain via toe strengthening
  • Prevents the formation of corns caused by constant friction when the toes rub against each other
  • Improves the overall appearance of the feet (the aesthetics of foot structure)
      • Aids in the correction and prevention of foot deformities such as hammertoes and bunions, among others by improving the function of the intrinsic muscles of the feet and toes
      • Realigns joints and straightens bent toes by increasing the flexibility and length of the toes
  • Improves balance
  • Improves gait cycle (the way that you walk)
  • Improves posture by improving “grounding” of the feet
    • Allows the planting of all toes on the floor which enables you to stand upright without tension or strain
  • Improves circulation to the feet and toes

What Conditions can Toe Separators Actually Help to Treat?

Toe separators were designed primarily to help with painful conditions such as bunions,PICTURE OF PERSON WALKING ON BEACH FOR POST TOE SEPARATORS FOR OVERLAPPING TOES hammertoes, claw toes, and mallet toes which cause the toes to bend and curl at unnatural angles, but when a portion of the foot is out of alignment, we have found that the whole body suffers.

One small toe deformity negatively impacts your ability to simply walk, jog, run and participate in any other physical activities without pain.

Did you know that improper “grounding” of the toes also wreaks havoc on your gait cycle (the way that you walk) as well as your body’s capability to bear weight?

Believe it or not… our toes can have a major impact on our whole body!

Having stated all of this, when you look at the big picture, toe separators can have a dramatic, positive influence on our bodies in its entirety both directly and indirectly.

The deformities in which toe separators have a direct influence on correcting include thePICTURE OF BUNION AND HAMMERTOES FOR POST TOE SEPARATORS FOR OVERLAPPING TOES following:

  • Hammertoes
  • Mallet toes
  • Claw toes
  • Bunions

The conditions which can indirectly benefit from the use of toe separators are:

  • Corns,
  • Blisters,
  • Ingrown toenails,
  • Cramps,PICTURE THAT TOE SEPARATORS CAN HELP MANY CONDITIONS ON POST TOE SEPARATORS FOR OVERLAPPING TOES
  • Neuromas,
  • Metatarsalgia,
  • Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Pain),
  • Arthritis,
  • Abnormal gait cycle,
  • Shin Splints,
  • Knee pain and injury,
  • Hip pain,
  • Back pain and injury,
  • Poor posture,
  • Balance issues and
  • Poor circulation.

Why Use Toe Separators for Overlapping Toes?

If you look at the treatment options for overlapping toes, you will be surprised at the lack of options available.PICTURE SHOWING THAT TOE SEPARATORS FOR OVERLAPPING TOES IS BETTER THAN SURGERY

Basically, you will find that two options for treatment are currently available: surgery or toe separators.

Why on Earth would you succumb to surgical correction when there is a much easier alternative out there?

The main reasons that I, as a podiatrist, recommend toe separators for overlapping toes over surgery include the following:

  • Simplicity – Toe separators are comfortable and very easy to use.

PICTURE OF AWESOME TOES FOR POST TOE SEPARATORS FOR OVERLAPPING TOES

  • Affordability – When you compare the cost of my absolute favorite toe separators, YogaBody Awesome Toes! Corrective Spacers, at a mere price of $24.99 to all the costs associated with surgery, you can easily see that these toe separators are the most cost-efficient option for the treatment of overlapping toes.

Picture of dollar signs signaling high cost

  • Economical – For the price noted above, you receive two pairs of YogaBody Awesome Toes! Corrective Spacers each in a separate size to ensure a perfect fit. Each pair is completely reusable and will last year after year.

TOE SEPARATORS FOR OVERLAPPING TOES ARE VERY ECONOMICAL

  • Safety Factor – When you consider the risks associated with surgical correction, you can easily see why toe separators for overlapping toes are extremely less risky and a much safer alternative for treatment.

 

  • Flexibility – Toe Separators can be used daily with no side effects. In addition, while most toe separators, such as YogaToes GEMS, are made to be worn solely without shoes, YogaBody Awesome Toes! Corrective Spacers are made to be worn both with and without shoes which allows you the convenience of treating your deformities literally whenever you want.

PICTURE OF AWESOME TOES WORN WITH SHOES FOR POST TOE SEPARATORS FOR OVERLAPPING TOES

  • Fashionable

 How are Toe Separators for Overlapping Toes Used?

Some toe separators are made to be worn while ambulating, or walking, therefore holding your toes in place while wearing shoegear, and others are made to be used while relaxing and non-weightbearing.

My favorite toe separators, YogaBody Awesome Toes! Corrective Spacers, can be worn while walking or relaxing thereby increasing the functionality of the product!

When I recommend toe separators to my patients, I give them very specific instructions.

Initially, I suggest a very slow start. You will have to get your feet accustomed to functioning in an anatomically correct alignment.PICTURE OF EASE OF USE OF TOE SEPARATORS FOR OVERLAPPING TOES

1. At first, wear your toe separators about 15 minutes per day. Should you notice any discomfort such as pain or cramping, decrease this time by 5 minute intervals.

2. Repeat this time interval daily for one week and then increase the time worn per day to 30 minutes.

3. As long as no discomfort is experienced, repeat daily for one week and then increase the wear time to 45 minutes per day.

4. Continue this cycle of increasing the time interval worn by 15 minutes on a weekly basis.

For best results, you want to gradually increase the time worn to a minimum of one hour per day. Some of my patients have worked up to wearing their toe separators for four + hours daily with drastic improvements in their deformities.


Final Thoughts on Toe Separators for Overlapping Toes

Suffering from crooked, bent toes is not only embarrassing and possibly painful, but it can affect the efficiency of the way your whole body functions.

Why suffer from this condition when there is an easy, safe and affordable solution to your problem?

The benefits of the use of toe separators for overlapping toes has been proven not only via research but I have witnessed them with my own eyes on hundreds of my personal patients.

Stop fighting ugly, bent toes and invest in the best toe separators for overlapping toes now!

CALL TO ACTION TO BUY THE BEST TOE SEPARATORS FOR OVERLAPPING TOES

The quicker you click to buy, the quicker you will be on your way to happy, healthy feet!

I hope that you have gained the knowledge that you were searching for in reading this article. I am ALWAYS here to help… it is what I love doing. Should you have any questions, experience with overlapping toes, or have products that you love for this condition, please feel free to comment below.

Your Online Foot Expert,

Dr. Misty

Podiatric Physician and Owner/Creator of FixUglyNails.com

PICTURE OF CORN VS. CALLUS

Corn vs. Callus – Everything You Need To Know

Are you struggling with one or more area(s) of thick skin on your feet or toes?

Are you trying to figure out what is causing this annoying and sometimes painful condition to occur?

As a podiatrist, I can tell you that this is a VERY common ailment that I see routinely in my practice.

PICTURE OF CORN VS. CALLUS

In this article, I would like to break down the difference of a corn vs. callus and give you a multitude of information on each so that we can have your feet both looking and feeling better in no time.

Here are the topics that I will be discussing. You can simply clink on the link to move directly to your area of interest.

All you have to do is read, so… sit back, put your reading glasses on and get ready to enjoy my post on “Corn vs. Callus – Everything You Need To Know”!


Corn vs. Callus – A Quick Overview

You hear people talking about corns and calluses all of the time (or at least I do anyways), so… what is the difference?

What is a corn vs. callus?PICTURE OF THICK SKIN IN POST CORN VS CALLUS

Let me begin by saying that corns and calluses are very similar as they are both areas of thick, dead skin caused by friction and/or pressure.

In addition, both a corn or a callus may or may not be painful.

The determinants between a corn vs. callus come down to simply the appearance and the location, or part of the body, where this friction or pressure has caused your (overly-annoying and often painful) thick skin to occur.

PICTURE OF WORDS APPEARANCE AND LOCATION IN POST CORN VS. CALLUS

Both corns and calluses are more common in people who have sweaty feet, stand for long periods at a time and wear ill-fitting shoe gear.

Statistically, women are more affected with corns and calluses versus men.


Corn vs. Callus – Let’s Talk About Location

As stated above, you can quite simply determine if you are suffering from a corn vs. callus primarily by the area of the body that is affected.

A corn typically occurs solely on the toes.PICTURE OF CORN ON TOE FOR POST CORN VS CALLUS

When a corn occurs within the webspaces (area of skin between the toes), we typically call the corn a soft corn. Corns located on the tops of your toes are usually referred to as a hard corn.

PICTURE OF CALLUS FOR POST CORN VS. CALLUSA callus, on the other hand, routinely surfaces on the hands or feet (excluding the toes).

The most common locations for calluses to occur on the feet include the bottom of the heels and below the bony areas of the balls of the feet.

So… are there any other differences between a corn vs. callus other than simply location?

Yes!!! Keep reading! (:


Corn vs. Callus – The Differences in Appearance

While corns and calluses, at first glance, usually seem to be very similar in appearance, if you look a little closer, you will see some very obvious differences in a corn vs. callus.

Both types of corns are typically smaller in size than calluses.

They are generally circular in shape and have a clearly defined center. Depending on the type of corn, this center can be hard or soft.

Soft corns (remember… these are corns located on the skin between the toes) usuallyPICTURE OF SOFT CORN BETWEEN TOES WITH LABEL ON POST CORN VS. CALLUS have the most distinct characteristics between the three.

Soft corns, while still comprised of thick skin, typically have a more moist, whitish appearance to them.

Upon touch… they distinguish a soft, rubbery feel (hence the name “soft corn”).

Most of the time, these soft corns can mimic an open sore as the skin is built up around its edges and tends to “crater” in the middle of the lesion.

Hard corns, (located on the top of the toes) on the other hand, appear as a firm, thickPICTURE OF HARD CORN ON TOE WITH LABEL ON POST CORN VS. CALLUS build-up of dry, or dead, skin.

These corns are usually small in size, round in shape and well-defined.

Usually, if you really inspect closely, you will see a ring within the hard corn.

The outside edges of this ring are typically soft and yellow, while the inside portion of the ring is very hard and gray.

It is typical to find inflamed, or red skin, surrounding the corn.

Calluses (located on the hands and anywhere else on the feet) give the impression ofPICTURE OF CALLUS ON HEEL WITH LABEL FOR POST CORN VS. CALLUS simply hard, dry and thick skin.

A callus can portray a mildly grayish, palish or yellowish color; but, this is not always the case.

Upon running your hand over a callus, you may feel a lumpy texture about the skin.

Larger in size (bigger and wider) than corns, calluses tend to vary in shape and its edges are ill-defined.


Corn vs. Callus – Which One Hurts Worse?

As stated above, both a corn and a callus may or may not be painful when pressure is applied to the lesion.

We do typically see, however, that pain is more common and usually more intense with aPICTURE OF THE WORD OUCH FOR POST CORN VS. CALLUS corn vs. callus.

This pain, when present, also typically exhibits a different behavior in a corn vs. callus.

When a corn is palpated (or pressure is applied), if pain is present, the highest amount of pain is directly over the lesion… on top of the thick skin.

With a callus, on the other hand, pain is usually the greatest on palpation of the surrounding skin and less intense directly on top of the thick skin.


Corn vs. Callus – Summary Chart

PICTURE OF A CHART SHOWING CORN VS. CALLUS


Corn vs. Callus – Why Do They Form?

To begin, corns and calluses are not caused by a virus or bacteria and are NOT contagious.

So… how and why do we get them?

While the location and appearance of a corn vs. callus definitely reveal differences amongst the two, the causes of both corns and calluses are identical (with a small addition to the soft corn).

All corns and calluses, as briefly stated above, are caused by the culprit of repeated frictionPICTURE OF SANDPAPER or pressure on a particular area of skin.

This pressure (and/or friction) results in direct damage to the skin that it is imposed on.

Our bodies react to this imposition and respond to the damage.

Essentially, in its attempt to address and repair the damage, it protectively creates a hard surface over the area which we term a corn or callus.

Because soft corns are located between the toes and this area of our feet typically stays more moist due to trapped sweat, we typically see a softening of the once hard core in soft corns.


What Causes A Corn vs. Callus?

Anything that can cause friction or pressure to your skin can cause both a corn or callus.

Typically, calluses on the hands are caused from pressure by any repetitive handling of aPICTURE OF PERSON PLAYING TENNIS tool or object.

Some examples of these can include a gardening hoe, hammer, tennis racket and lifting weights.

Some causes of corns and calluses on the feet can include the following:

  • Footwear
    • Shoes that are too tight and cause pressure
    • Shoes that are too high-heeled and cause pressure on the sole of the foot
    • Shoes that are too loose and cause friction
    • An exaggerated seam within a shoe that causes friction
  • Socks that do not fit well or the absence of socks
  • Walking barefoot regularly as the skin will naturally thicken to protect itself
  • Foot deformities – bunions, hammertoes, claw toes, mallet toes, bumps caused by Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Repeated actions – pressure due to sports, jogging or walking
  • Abnormal gait (odd way of walking)
  • Bone structure – flat feet or bone spurs
  • Advanced age – less padding on the balls of the feet

Corns vs. Callus – How Shoes Can Make An Impact?

While some causes of corns and calluses are unpreventable, there are some things that we CAN do to minimize our risks of developing these annoying conditions… especially when it comes to shoes!

I have summarized several ways to eliminate the risk of corns and calluses directly due to shoe gear below!

Only buy properly fitting shoes.

When making a shoe purchase at your preferred shoe store, it is essential to have BOTHPICTURE OF A SHOE MEASURER FOR POST CORN VS. CALLUS feet professionally measured in BOTH length and width in order to ensure the proper size selection.

ALWAYS try BOTH shoes on and walk around the store!

You should ensure that the end of the shoe is no closer than a half of an inch to your longest toe.

Can you wiggle your toes? If not… the shoe is simply too tight.

Shop for new shoes at the end of the day.

Why you ask?PICTURE OF SWOLLEN FEET FOR POST CORN VS. CALLUS

Our feet naturally swell throughout the day.

To avoid the issue of your shoes becoming too tight in the evenings, you want to ensure that you purchase shoes that will accommodate for this.

Be smart with your shoe style.

Avoid shoes with extremely high heels and sharply pointed toes.PICTURE OF POINTED HIGH HEEL SHOE

Wear as low of a heel as possible!

If you MUST wear this style of shoe for work… minimize the damage by investing in a nice pair of athletic shoes to wear to and from work (and on your lunch break) to give your feet a break from all of the added pressure points that heels cause.

Also, if you have structural foot deformities, make sure that you will select a style of shoe that will accommodate for this.

For example, if you have hammertoes (a condition in which the toes buckle up), make sure that the shoe that you select either has a toe box with extra depth to it OR a toe box that is constructed of flexible material that will move with your deformity.

Watch the “wear” pattern on the soles of your shoes.

As you put the miles on your shoes, eventually the internal lining and soles can wear down.

When this occurs, the ability for our shoes to act as a shock absorber for the hard surfaces that we walk on is substantially decreased.

To avoid this, have the soles of your shoes replaced regularly or simply realize that it is time to invest in a new pair.

Also, you want to check for even “wear” on the soles and heels of your shoe.PICTURE OF WEAR PATTERN ON BOTTOM OF SHOES FOR POST CORN VS. CALLUS

Uneven “wear” patterns could signal that you have an abnormal gait cycle that is causing an increased pressure point to a particular area of your foot.

This can easily be fixed with the purchase of personalized, corrective insoles.


Corn vs. Callus – Other Simple Preventative Measures

Wouldn’t it be great if we could prevent corns and calluses from showing up in the first place?

You already know how to ensure that inadequate shoe gear doesn’t contribute to the formation of these annoying ailments, but what else can you do to be pro-active?

The following are simple recommendations to decrease the likelihood that you will develop both corns and calluses:

  • Wash your feet every day. Use water, soap and a scrubbing brush. Following… ensure to dry your feet thoroughly.

PICTURE OF FOOTMATE SHOWER SCRUBBERCALL TO ACTION TO BUY FOOT BRUSH IN CORN VS. CALLUS

  • Do NOT use body lotion on your feet. Instead,… invest in a moisturizing foot cream made especially for the feet.

Picture of Foot Cream in Unique GiftsCALL TO ACTION IN CORN VS. CALLUS

  • Remove hard skin gently and regularly. This is best performed with a foot file or pumice stone.

CLICK HERE TO BUY THE BEST ELECTRIC FOOT FILE IN POST CORN VS. CALLUS

  • Wear padded gloves or utilize tools with padding in order to protect your hands when handling tools.
  • Wear comfortable socks in order to reduce friction to your feet caused by some shoe gear.
  • If foot deformities are present, invest in pads and cushions to reduce pressure points and friction. I have listed some of my favorites below.

PICTURE OF DR. FOOT'S TOE TUBES FOR POST CORN VS. CALLUSCALL TO ACTION FOR TOE PADS IN POST CORN VS. CALLUS

PICTURE OF DR. FREDERICK'S ORIGINAL HALF TOE SLEEVE METATARSAL PAD

CALL TO ACTION FOR FOOT PADS IN CORN VS. CALLUS


Corn vs. Callus – Final Words

As you can see, there are both many similarities and differences between a corn vs. callus.

Neither of these two foot ailments are fun to deal with and pain can occur.PICTURE OF HAPPY FEET

Whether a corn vs. callus, there ARE things that you can do to lessen the likelihood of you having to suffer from the annoying problems that having either of these can cause.

Be proactive and take the steps necessary to ensure that your risk of developing a corn and/or callus is minimized.


I hope you enjoyed this article on a corn vs. callus. As always, I welcome any feedback, comments or questions below. I am truly here to help!

Sincerely,

Dr. Misty

Podiatric Physician and Owner of FixUglyNails.com.