Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCornsCallusesAt-Home TreatmentsWhen to See a Doctor
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Corns
Calluses
At-Home Treatments
When to See a Doctor
Both are the result ofhyperkeratinization—the thickening of the top layer of skin, known as thestratum corneum.If your shoe repeatedly rubs against a spot on your foot, for example, the inflammation and gradual buildup of scar tissue may lead to the development of a corn or callus.
While people tend to think of corns and calluses as interchangeable, they are distinctive in their appearance, causes, and sensitivity.
This article explores the similarities and differences among corns and calluses.
Andrew Bossi / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.5
Corns are small, defined areas of thickened skin that usually form on bony areas of the foot, such as the joints of toes. They most commonly develop where the skin is thin andglabrous(meaning, hairless and smooth).
There are two types of corns: soft corns and hard corns. Soft corns develop on the moist skin between toes in response to abnormal friction (such as walking in tight, pointed-toe shoes). They tend to be whitish in color with a rubbery, pliable texture.
Hard corns develop on dry, flat areas of skin, especially bony parts of the foot that are tightly compressed in shoes. Hard corns form where a bone comes into direct contact with the inside of a shoe (especially shoes in which the toes are abnormally curled). They tend to be small and circular and co-exist with calluses.
Within both soft and hard corns is a barley-shape core that runs perpendicular to the foot from the top of the corn to the tissues below. Because of its shape and position, the hardened core can sometimes press on nerve endings, causing sharp, stabbing pain.
Rounding out the list are tiny “seed corns” that commonly develop on the ball of the foot. Despite their small size, they’re still painful.
What Is a Wart?
Calluses tend to involve larger areas of skin, especially under the heels or on the palm, knees, or balls of the feet. The skin can sometimes be smooth and hard or rough, dry, and patchy. A number of activities, done in repetition, can cause calluses, including:
Look At Calluses This WayA callus may be considered a form of protection in that the layers of dead skin cells are resistant to blisters and friction.
Look At Calluses This Way
A callus may be considered a form of protection in that the layers of dead skin cells are resistant to blisters and friction.
The only time a callus causes pain is when it cracks and exposes the underlying tissue. This is not uncommon with heel calluses, in which the thick layers of skin are less able to flex. Once a crevasse forms, it can make walking difficult; any additional pressure placed on the heel can increase the size and depth of the crack.
Why Calluses Form on Hands and Fingers (and What to Do About Them)
Most corns and calluses do not require medical treatment and can be tended to at home with simple, over-the-counter products.To treat a callusorcornsafely:
Why High Heels Are Bad for You
To protect larger areas of skin, ask your pharmacist about gel insoles or heel cups. If the callus or corn is on your hand, cover it with a bandage strip and wear protective gloves while working.
There is also a wide variety of over-the-counter corn removers that typically containsalicylicacid. While they can be effective in removing a corn, discontinue use if you experience any pain or skin irritation.
You should avoid these products if you havediabetic neuropathyor any condition that affects the blood flow to the foot (such asperipheral arterial disease).Conditions like these can impede normal healing and lead to the development of sores and ulcers that are hard to treat.
Put Caution FirstIf you have diabetes,peripheral neuropathy(foot nerve pain),leg edema(fluid overload of the feet and ankles), or any chronic circulation problem, do not attempt to self-treat your corns or calluses. Always see a doctor.
Put Caution First
If you have diabetes,peripheral neuropathy(foot nerve pain),leg edema(fluid overload of the feet and ankles), or any chronic circulation problem, do not attempt to self-treat your corns or calluses. Always see a doctor.
If a corn or callus becomes painful or bleeds, ask apodiatristto look at it. Pain or bleeding is an indication that the deeper layers of skin have been affected. Ignoring these symptoms may result in otherwise avoidable complications, such as infection or ulceration.
Treatment may involvedebridement(the removal of damaged tissue) or the paring (cutting out) of a corn with a scalpel. It’s important to note thatcorns and calluses will often return even after effective treatment. If they become problematic, surgery may be an option (especially for corns). This option should be considered only if all other conservative forms of treatment have failed to provide relief.
In such a case, surgicalenucleation(the removal of the hardened core), may be an option worth considering.
What Is a Medical Pedicure?
Summary
Most corns and calluses do not require medical treatment and can be tended to at home with over-the-counter products. Still, if a corn becomes painful or bleeds, have a podiatrist look at it.
How to Have Pretty Feet
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.DeLauro T and DeLauro M (2012)Chapter 98: Corns and Calluses.Fitzpatrick’s Dermatology in General Medicine(8th Edition).New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Education. ISBN-13: 978-0071669047.American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to treat corns and calluses.Reddy P, Anusha T, Haritha N, Nagendra A, Bhavani D, Gandhimathi R.Case report on non-surgical treatment for foot corn.International Journal of Dermatopathology and Surgery. 2018;4(1).Additional ReadingDeLauro T and DeLauro M (2012)Chapter 98: Corns and Calluses.Fitzpatrick’s Dermatology in General Medicine(8th Edition).New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Education. ISBN-13: 978-0071669047.
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.DeLauro T and DeLauro M (2012)Chapter 98: Corns and Calluses.Fitzpatrick’s Dermatology in General Medicine(8th Edition).New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Education. ISBN-13: 978-0071669047.American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to treat corns and calluses.Reddy P, Anusha T, Haritha N, Nagendra A, Bhavani D, Gandhimathi R.Case report on non-surgical treatment for foot corn.International Journal of Dermatopathology and Surgery. 2018;4(1).Additional ReadingDeLauro T and DeLauro M (2012)Chapter 98: Corns and Calluses.Fitzpatrick’s Dermatology in General Medicine(8th Edition).New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Education. ISBN-13: 978-0071669047.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
DeLauro T and DeLauro M (2012)Chapter 98: Corns and Calluses.Fitzpatrick’s Dermatology in General Medicine(8th Edition).New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Education. ISBN-13: 978-0071669047.American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to treat corns and calluses.Reddy P, Anusha T, Haritha N, Nagendra A, Bhavani D, Gandhimathi R.Case report on non-surgical treatment for foot corn.International Journal of Dermatopathology and Surgery. 2018;4(1).
DeLauro T and DeLauro M (2012)Chapter 98: Corns and Calluses.Fitzpatrick’s Dermatology in General Medicine(8th Edition).New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Education. ISBN-13: 978-0071669047.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to treat corns and calluses.
Reddy P, Anusha T, Haritha N, Nagendra A, Bhavani D, Gandhimathi R.Case report on non-surgical treatment for foot corn.International Journal of Dermatopathology and Surgery. 2018;4(1).
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