Hammertoe and mallet toe

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Lifestyle and home remedies

By Mayo Clinic staff

Wearing proper footwear may ease your foot pain. Low-heeled shoes with a deep toe box and flexible material covering the toes may help. Make sure there's a half-inch of space between your longest toe and the inside tip of your shoe. Allowing adequate space for your toes will help relieve pressure and pain.

In addition, your doctor may suggest exercises you can do at home or at work to strengthen your toe muscles. These may include:

  • Picking up marbles with your toes
  • Stretching your toe muscles

Don't try to remove a corn yourself using such methods as over-the-counter acid treatment, cutting or shaving. Home treatments can cause serious problems, especially if you have diabetes or poor circulation. Breaking the skin could result in an infection — in some cases, an infection serious enough to require amputation.

DS00480

Aug. 21, 2008

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