What Are Corns and Calluses?
Corns and calluses are thickened, hardened layers of skin that form as your body’s natural response to pressure or friction.
Most often appearing on the feet or toes, they can develop from tight shoes, repetitive rubbing or underlying foot deformities. While they’re common and often harmless, corns and calluses can become painful if left untreated or if there’s an underlying structural cause.
For diabetics, there is additional concern, as corn and calluses are a pre-cursor to ulcerations that can lead to infection and even amputation in serious cases.
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What Causes Corns and Calluses?
Corns and calluses develop when skin is repeatedly exposed to friction or pressure. This causes layers of dead skin to build up as a form of protection. Common causes include:
- Shoes that are too tight, too loose or have high heels
- Socks that don’t fit properly or seams that rub
- Walking or running without socks
- Bony deformities like hammer toes or bunions that increase pressure points
- Activities that increase demands on feet like sports, running or yard work.
Corns are typically smaller and deeper than calluses, often forming on or between the toes. Calluses tend to form on weight-bearing areas like the heels or balls of the feet. Both can be painful despite location.
Symptoms of Corns and Calluses
You may be experiencing a corn or callus if you notice:
- A thick, rough or raised area of skin
- Hardened bumps, especially over joints or pressure points
- Tenderness or pain beneath the skin
- Dry, flaky or waxy skin over the area
Corns can be especially painful when pressed, while calluses may just feel thick or tough.
How to Treat Corns and Calluses
Your provider can usually diagnose corns and calluses with a physical exam. They’ll check for pressure spots, footwear issues and underlying structural problems in your toes or foot shape. In some cases, they may pare down a small section of hardened skin to confirm the diagnosis or rule out other conditions like warts or cysts.
For most people, treatment focuses on reducing friction and relieving pressure on the affected area.
Nonsurgical options include:
- Trimming away thickened skin with a scalpel during an office visit
- Pumice stones or callus files to gently remove dead skin at home
- Protective pads or foam cushions to reduce irritation
- Lamb’s wool or toe separators for corns between the toes
- Properly fitting shoes with wide toe boxes and cushioned soles
- Orthotics or shoe inserts if foot structure contributes to pressure points
In more stubborn cases, medicated pads or topical treatments containing salicylic acid may be recommended. Rarely, if bone alignment causes recurring pressure, a minor surgical procedure may be needed to correct the deformity.
What happens if corns or calluses are left untreated?
Without addressing the source of pressure, corns and calluses can grow thicker and more painful. In severe cases, especially for people with diabetes or poor circulation, they can lead to open sores or infections.
That’s why it’s important not to self-treat aggressively and to seek medical care if pain persists or if you notice redness, swelling or drainage.
How can I prevent corns and calluses?
Prevention starts with minimizing friction and wearing shoes that fit correctly.
- Choose shoes with plenty of room in the toe box
- Wear socks that fit properly and provide cushioning
- Use protective pads over bony areas or between toes
- Moisturize your feet regularly to keep skin soft
- Have orthotics fitted if you have structural foot issues like hammertoes or bunions
If you spend time on your feet or play sports, check your feet often for signs of irritation and adjust footwear or padding as needed.
When Should I See a Doctor for Corns or Calluses?
You should see a doctor if:
- The corn or callus becomes very painful or inflamed
- You have diabetes or poor circulation
- The area shows signs of infection, such as redness, swelling or drainage
- You’ve tried self-care without improvement
Our foot and ankle specialists can safely remove thickened skin, relieve pain and address any underlying biomechanical causes to prevent it from happening again.
Treat Corns and Calluses at OrthoNebraska
Looking to relieve corns and calluses in the Omaha area? At OrthoNebraska, we want to make sure that our patients feel understood, safe and confident to take on an appropriate treatment plan. With proper management, we can help you reduce pain levels and improve quality of life.
