What are Calluses and Corns?

A callus is a hard pad of thickened skin that develops as the skin tries to protect itself from repeated friction, pressure, rubbing or irritation. Calluses are most often found on pressure spots, including the heels, balls and sides of the feet, as well as the big toe. Calluses are larger than corns, vary in size and shape, and are not typically painful. Some callus formation on the sole of the foot is normal and may disappear once the source of irritation is eliminated.

Corns are smaller and deeper than calluses and often form on the top or side of a toe. They have a hard center surrounded by swollen skin and are painful when pressed.

There are different types of corns:

Hard corns—Usually found on the top of the toes where there is bone pressure against skin

Soft corns—Appear between the toes and are whitish gray with a rubbery texture

Seed corns—Typically form on the bottom of the foot

Causes and Risk Factors

Poorly fitting shoes are the most common cause of calluses and corns, but they can also result from abnormal foot function or high levels of repetitive activity.

Causes and risk factors include:

  • Improperly fitting shoes, high heels, shoe linings or socks that slip out of place or bunch up, or wearing shoes without socks
  • Long periods of standing, walking, or running
  • Participation in certain sports or physical labor
  • Abnormal gait or improper posture when walking
  • Walking barefoot
  • Medical conditions or structural foot deformities, such as arthritis, bone spurs, hammertoes or bunions

Symptoms of a Callus or Corn

While both can be painful, calluses are typically less sensitive than corns. Untreated, both calluses and corns may become more painful as they thicken over time.

  • Calluses are hard, thick, flat patches of skin that are less sensitive than surrounding skin and usually not painful
  • Corns are typically smaller, round, raised bumps of hard skin that may be quite painful under any level of pressure

Nonsurgical Treatment

In many cases, corns and calluses disappear once the source of friction has been eliminated. If you have diabetes or poor blood flow, it is extremely important to see your physician immediately, before attempting to treat the condition yourself.

If the corn or callus becomes painful or inflamed, or self-care with a pumice stone and soaking is unsuccessful, medical treatment may be required for relief, such as:

Trimming—During an office visit, your doctor  may use a scalpel to trim a large corn or pare down thickened skin of a callus. This should only be done by your healthcare provider and never attempted yourself to avoid infection or injury.

Medicated patches—Special medicated patches containing 40% salicylic acid may be recommended. Your physician will discuss this option with you and explain how it is applied and how often it should be replaced.

Shoe inserts or orthotics—In cases where there is an underlying foot condition or deformity, your physician may prescribe custom orthotics to help prevent development of corns and calluses.

Surgery

If you have a structural deformity of the foot or toes that is causing development of corns or calluses, your specialist may recommend surgery to realign or remote bone tissue. Surgery may also be recommended if corns or calluses are causing extreme pain, preventing a normal gait or comfortable walking, or resulting in infections or other issues.