Corns and Calluses

Corns and Calluses

Rachel Miller is a highly experienced HCPC-registered chiropodist and podiatrist who treats many patients for corns and calluses.

Corns and calluses are thick, hardened layers of skin  that develop in areas exposed to frequent rubbing or pressure.  Corns are typically small, hard lumps of skin, and they can be painful. Calluses are usually larger and rarely cause pain.

Corns and calluses may be caused by footwear, the shape of your feet, or conditions such as bunions, hammer toes or high arches.

An experienced podiatrist can gently treat painful corns to relieve discomfort and remove areas of thickened callus, while also identifying possible causes and recommend ways to reduce the risk of them returning.

Please see below if you want more detailed explanation of corns and calluses, their symptoms, causes and treatment.

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Symptoms of corns and calluses

Corns

An experienced podiatrist can help diagnose corns and calluses and rule out other causes of thickened skin, such as warts and cysts.

• Corns can be painful, especially if squeezed.
• Corns are smaller than calluses and have a hard center, called a core, surrounded by inflamed skin.
• Corns can often be found on areas of your foot that are not weight bearing, such as the tops and sides, in-between toes as well as on weight baring parts.

There are 5 main types of corns –

• Hard corns –  These are the most common type of corn. They are hard and dry, the size of a pea and are often found on the top of the toes.
• Soft corns – Softer, moist corns, typically found between the toes.
• Seed corns – Tiny corns, often found on the bottom of the foot and are usually painless.
• Vascular/neurovascular corns – These corns contain nerve fibers and blood vessels, making them be very painful and can bleed freely if cut.
• Fibrous corns – If a corn has been there for a long time, it can attach itself to deeper tissue.  They can be painful.

Calluses

• Calluses are rarely painful.
• They typically develop on weight-baring areas of your feet, especially under the heels, or the soles of your feet or ball of your foot.
• Calluses vary in size and shape and are often larger than corns.

A callus on the bottom of the foot is called a plantar callus.

Causes of corns and calluses

Corns and calluses usually develop as a result of repeated pressure or friction.

Common causes and risk factors include:

• Poorly fitting or unsuitable footwear.
• Athletes who place repeated pressure and friction on their feet, such as runners, are particularly susceptible to developing calluses.
• They can be a result of a skin type, such as dry skin or reduced elasticity.
• The shape or structure of your foot, high arches or another biomechanical factor.
• Some people have a genetic predisposition to corns or calluses.
• Age; changes in the skin, reduced elasticity and reduced fatty tissue can form calluses, especially on the ball of the foot.
• Corns and calluses are sometimes an indication of a bone deformity, such as a bunion or hammer toe.

Treatment of corns and calluses

Treatment depends on the location, severity and cause of the corn or callus. An experienced podiatrist can safely remove areas of thickened skin and provide treatment to relieve pain and discomfort.

Treatment may include:

• gentle removal of thickened skin to reduce pressure and relieve pain
• padding or other measures to protect painful areas
• footwear advice, including recommendations for suitable and comfortable shoes and socks
• advice about self-care, foot hygiene and moisturising
• advice about reducing pressure and friction on the affected area
• assessment of whether an insole or orthotic may help reduce pressure and prevent recurrence

If you have diabetes, poor circulation or another medical condition that affects your feet, you should speak to an experienced podiatrist before attempting to treat a corn or callus yourself.  Podiatry treatment can help relieve symptoms, reduce the risk of complications and consider whether there may be an underlying cause.

Rachel Miller’s clinic is at Highgate Podiatry in Highgate Village, 14 Pond Square, N6 6BA, London. Clinics are held every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Please contact the clinic for an appointment on 020 8348 5553. For the clinic’s address, map and directions see the Contact page and for information about orthotic insoles and biomechanics see the Biomechanics page.

 Call the Clinic for an appointment