How Corns and Calluses Are Treated

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Corns and calluses are areas of thick, hardened, accumulated dead skin cells that are caused by repeated rubbing, friction, or pressure. They can form anywhere on the body but are most commonly found on the hands, toes, heels, or soles of the feet.

Both are the result of hyperkeratinization—the thickening of the top layer of skin, known as the stratum 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.

Corns and calluses

Andrew Bossi / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.5 

Corns

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 and glabrous (meaning, hairless and smooth).

Corns differ from calluses in that they have a hard core surrounded by inflamed skin. Because their shape is typically well-defined, they can often be mistaken for warts.

As with a wart, a corn is typically hardened and raised with a flaky, dry, or waxy surface. However, corns can be differentiated by their location on the top of the foot and between toes rather than the bottom side of the foot. Warts can also appear in clusters, which corns generally don't, and develop on any part of the body. Unlike corns, it is possible for a wart to bleed.

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.

Calluses

Calluses are less-defined patches of thickened skin. Typically larger than corns and rarely painful, they are caused by friction or pressure delivered over a long period of time. Writing with a pencil over the course of years, for example, can lead to the development of a callus on the middle finger of the writing hand.

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:

  • Chopping wood
  • Construction work
  • Playing on monkey bars
  • Playing sports with equipment that has a handle (such as tennis or golf)
  • Rock climbing
  • Rowing
  • Strumming or plucking guitar strings
  • Walking barefoot
  • Wearing high heels
  • Weightlifting

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.

At-Home Treatments

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 callus or corn safely:

  • Remove the source of the irritation. This move may require you to wear different shoes or to replace those that are too tight or loose. This is especially true as your feet age and begin to experience changes in the arches or thickness of the skin. In some cases, orthopedic shoes or orthotic insoles may be needed to compensate for any abnormalities in the structure of your foot and/or gait. A foot analysis, conducted by a podiatrist, can also help.
  • Soak your foot or hand in warm water. A good, 10- to 20-minute soak can soften skin and may help relieve some of the pain. Once finished, dry your skin thoroughly.
  • Abrade the skin with a pumice stone. Removing some surface skin is something you need to do gently, generally on larger patches of thick skin. Soaking your skin beforehand makes this task much easier. Once completed, use an extra-thick, emollient-rich lotion or cream to lock in the moisture and keep the skin soft.
  • Pad the callus or corn. The best way to deal with pain and promote healing is to use padding around the affected area of skin. Adhesive corn patches and elastic toe sleeves can be found at most drugstores.

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 contain salicylic acid. 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 have diabetic neuropathy or any condition that affects the blood flow to the foot (such as peripheral 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 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.

When to See a Doctor

If a corn or callus becomes painful or bleeds, ask a podiatrist to 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 involve debridement (the removal of damaged tissue) or the paring (cutting out) of a corn with a scalpel. It's important to note that corns 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, surgical enucleation (the removal of the hardened core), may be an option worth considering.

Summary

Corns and calluses are areas of thick, hardened, accumulated dead skin cells that are caused by repeated rubbing, friction, or pressure. They can form anywhere on the body but are most commonly found on the hands, toes, heels, or soles of the feet.

They're similar yet different. Corns are small, defined areas of thickened skin that usually form on bony areas of the foot, such as the joints of toes. Corns differ from calluses in that they have a hard core surrounded by inflamed skin. Calluses are less-defined patches of thickened skin. Typically larger than corns and rarely painful, they are caused by friction or pressure experienced over a long period of time.

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.

3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  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.

  2. American Academy of Dermatology Association. How to treat corns and calluses.

  3. 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 Reading
  • 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.

By Catherine Moyer, DPM
Catherine Moyer, DPM, is a podiatrist experienced in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders of the foot and ankle.