Corns & Callouses

What Are Corns and Callouses?

Callouses and corns are both forms of hyperkeratosis — thickened, hardened patches of skin that develop in response to sustained pressure or friction. While they are related, they differ in location and structure:

• Callouses are broad, flat areas of thickened skin that typically develop on the ball of the foot, the heel, or along the outer edge of the foot. They are the foot's natural defense against repeated friction and pressure.
• Corns are smaller, more focused thickenings with a hard central core. They typically develop on or between the toes — wherever a bony prominence presses against the inside of a shoe.

Unlike warts — which are caused by a viral infection — corns and callouses are purely mechanical in origin. However, they can become quite painful, and in some cases signal an underlying structural problem such as a hammertoe, bunion, or abnormal gait.

Causes

• Ill-fitting footwear — shoes that are too tight, too loose, or have seams or rigid materials that create localized pressure on the skin
• High heels — concentrate body weight on the ball of the foot, causing callous formation
• Structural foot problems — bony prominences from hammertoes, bunions, or other deformities create internal pressure against the shoe
• Going barefoot — the body responds to unprotected contact with hard surfaces by thickening the skin
• Abnormal gait — walking with an uneven pattern concentrates pressure on specific areas of the foot

Symptoms

• A thick, rough, or leathery patch of skin on the foot or toes
• A hardened, raised bump with a dense core (corn)
• Tenderness or pain under the affected skin, especially with direct pressure
• Dry, flaky, or waxy skin texture in the affected area

Treatment

Home Management

• Over-the-counter softening agents (urea-based creams or salicylic acid pads) can soften mild callouses over time
• Pumice stone use after bathing to gently reduce thickening
• Switching to well-fitted shoes with adequate width and cushioning
• Protective pads to reduce pressure on the affected area

Professional Treatment

• Debridement — Dr. Ross can carefully trim down the thickened tissue with sterile instruments, providing immediate and significant pain relief
• X-ray evaluation — imaging helps identify the bony cause of the pressure so a permanent solution can be planned
• Custom orthotics — redistribute pressure away from the problem area to prevent recurrence
• Padding and strapping — cushion the area during healing
• Addressing the root cause — if a hammertoe or bunion is creating the pressure, treating that underlying deformity resolves the corn or callous permanently