Have you ever seen thick, hard skin on your toes or feet? These spots can hurt, but most of the time they are not dangerous.
Doctors call these spots corns and calluses. They usually happen when you wear shoes that are too tight, too loose, or have high heels. They can also appear if you wear used shoes.
Second-hand shoes can cause foot problems because they are already shaped to someone else’s feet. Over time, the shoes change shape and create pressure spots that don’t match your toes. This causes rubbing and squeezing in certain areas.
To protect itself, your skin becomes thicker and harder in those spots. This hard skin often looks yellow because dead skin builds up. Hard corns usually form on the tops or sides of the toes and can be painful when you press on them. Some people say it feels like stepping on a small stone.
Other Possible Causes (Less Common)
Blisters: When your feet rub against shoes for a long time, blisters filled with fluid can form. If they get infected, they may look yellow.
Fungal infections: Wearing used shoes can expose your feet to fungi that cause athlete’s foot or nail infections. These problems usually show up as itching, redness, peeling skin, or yellow nails, not as hard lumps.
Why Second-Hand Shoes Can Cause More Problems
New shoes may feel uncomfortable at first, but used shoes can be worse. They are already shaped to someone else’s feet, which creates uneven pressure on yours. Another issue is cleanliness—used shoes may carry sweat, bacteria, or fungi that can lead to irritation or infections.
How to Treat It
Change your shoes: Stop wearing the shoes that are causing the problem. Choose comfortable, well-made shoes with enough space for your toes, good arch support, and soft cushioning.
Soak and smooth: Soak your feet in warm, soapy water for 10–20 minutes. Then gently rub the area with a pumice stone or nail file. Do not cut the skin.
Reduce rubbing: Protect the area with corn pads, moleskin, or gel toe covers.
Moisturize: Use creams with urea to help soften hard skin.
Over-the-counter treatments: Pads with salicylic acid can slowly help remove corns.
If the area becomes very painful, red, swollen, starts leaking pus, or doesn’t improve after a few weeks, see a foot doctor. They can treat it safely and check for other problems like bunions or bone growths.
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