Corns about the toes can be very painful. They are brought on by an excessive amount of force on that area of the toes and the skin just thickens up to safeguard itself, then becomes so thick that it can be then painful. The sources of that greater pressure are numerous and can be due to a bone deformity, a hammer toe or a bunion. A competent podiatrist can easily remove a corn, but if the pressure that brought on the corn is still there, then it's probably going to come back. To find the best results long term, the reason behind the corn really needs to be identified and that reason taken away. Sometimes that could require surgery to correct the underlying bone or toe disability. Other times that may require the wearing of cushioning for pressure relief over the corn. Usually, a marked improvement in the fit of shoes are the most effective ways to get load off a corn.

One way to self treat corns should be to take away the pressure. You can find protective pads that can be used like the toe foams. They are a soft foam made from polyurethane which has a cloth lining. They are available in lengthier tubes which means you or the podiatrist can trim them to the desired length to place over a toe to cushion and protect it. Some of the toe foams come with a increased thicker area on one side for lots more cushioning. They generally tend to be used more in the short to medium terms as they are soft, they are not that tough. When they are helpful and need to be used more in the long term then they will need to get replaced frequently. Usually go over what you can do with the podiatrist to see whatever they propose as what they think are your best alternatives in the longer term. An alternative to the toe foams are the toe spacers.