Corns and Calluses

What is a Corn?

(Heloma durum)

A corn is the thickening of the surface layer of the skin. Corns typically form on the top of toes, the tip of toes and between the toes.

Corns are more common in women than men. This is because women tend to wear tight-fitting shoes, socks and stockings more often than men do.

If you have corns and are diabetic or have circulation problems, please seek professional help from your Foot Specialist.

What causes a Corn?

A corn is generally caused by too much pressure in an area of the foot. This pressure may be caused by:

• tight-fitting shoes
• tight socks
• tight stockings
• shoes rubbing against the toes
• deformed toes
• crooked toes
• Arthritis
• Scar tissue

Symptoms

Some of the most common symptoms are:

• A hard growth presenting on the skin of the toes
• Pain when pressure is applied to the hard growth
• Redness and swelling around the hard growth
• Severe discomfort around a hard growth of skin on the toes
• Discomfort when wearing tight-fitting shoes

Complications from having Corns?

Complications can occur if corns are not treated properly. Some of the most common complications are:

• infection
• development of an ulcer
• development of a fluid-filled sac beneath the corn
• Neurovascular corns

Can corns be treated?

Yes. There are many different treatment options for corns. Orthotics are often used to deflect pressure away from the lesions. Medications, such as ibuprofen may temporarily relieve the pain and inflammation. A change in footwear or use of padding to prevent pressure can also prove effective. 

In some cases, surgical correction is required. Modification of footwear and routine reduction of the corns may also be indicated.

What is a Callus?

Calluses are a thickening of the surface layer of the skin. This usually occurs in response to pressure. Calluses often form on the ball of the foot, the heel, and the underside of the big toe.

Calluses are more common in women than men.

How is a callus formed?

The formation of calluses is caused by an accumulation of dead skin cells that harden and thicken over an area of the foot.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms are:

• A hard growth usually on the ball of the foot
• Pain when weight bearing that is relieved by rest
• Increased discomfort in thin soled or high-heeled shoes

What Causes a Callus?

Calluses develop because of excessive pressure on a specific area of the foot.

The most common causes of calluses are:

• High-heeled shoes
• Misalignment of the metatarsal bones
• Shoes that are too small or restrictive
• Abnormalities of gait
• Flat feet
• High arches
• Excessively long metatarsal bone
• Obesity
• Bony prominence
• Loss of fatty pad on the underside of the foot
• Short Achilles tendon

Can Calluses be Treated?

Yes. Treatment will depend on the cause of the callus. Applying non-medicated pads around the callus will often help to relieve pressure. Custom foot orthotics can be used for deflection of the area.

NEVER try to treat calluses at home by cutting, or trimming them with a razor blade or knife. This is dangerous and can cause complications.

• Apply non-medicated pads around the callus to relieve some of the pressure
• Apply moleskin over areas that tend to callus most frequently.
• Consider the use of custom made orthotics
• Medicated plasters (only if recommended by a healthcare professional)
• Routine callus reduction (administered by a Foot Specialist)