If you’ve ever experienced that annoying rough patch on your feet or a pesky, painful bump on your toe, you’re not alone. Corns and calluses are common foot issues, and while they might seem similar, they have their differences.
First let’s discuss corns! If you came here for information on calluses feel free to skip ahead and read more about calluses.
What Are Corns?
Corns are small, thickened areas of skin that typically form on the tops and sides of your toes or under the ball of the foot. They can actually form anywhere on the foot as long as there is a repeated point load pressure present combined with a twisting and pivoting friction. The main thing that differentiates corns from callus is that they are conical or circular in shape and always have a deep core. That deep core is why they are so painful and hard to remove yourself, It’s like having a stone in your shoe that NEVER goes away! There are different types of corns too, hard and soft corns.
- Hard Corns: These are the most common type and usually form on the bony areas of the feet, such as the tops of the toes, under the ball of the foot and even between the toes. They have a dense, hard centre sometimes surrounded by, inflamed skin.
- Soft Corns: Don’t let the name fool you, just because these are “soft” corns doesn’t make them more forgiving as they can be very painful! Soft corns typically develop between the toes down in the webbing where the skin can become moist from sweating and being in shoes all day. The most common position is in between the 4th toe and the pinky toe. Generally in practice most soft corns I see are accompanied by a fungal infection in the skin and have a rubbery texture.
How Do Corns Form?
Corns form as a protective response by the skin to excessive point load pressure or friction. It is usually the result of pressure over bony prominences or joints on the foot. Causes of this pressure can be:
- Ill-Fitting Shoes: Shoes that are too tight either in the width or depth.
- Foot Deformities: Conditions like hammertoes or bunions, combined with I’ll fitting shoes, can cause abnormal pressure on certain areas of the foot.
- Repetitive Activities: Activities that put repeated stress on areas of high pressure. Examples are: running or walking long distances or even pivoting actions from sports or work ergonomics can lead to the formation of corns.
Now, lets discuss Calluses!
What Are Calluses?
Calluses are usually larger, rough areas of thickened skin that most commonly develop on the soles of the feet, particularly on the heels, forefoot or the side of the big toe. Unlike corns, calluses are generally not painful, but they can become uncomfortable if they grow too thick.
How Do Calluses Form?
Calluses form due to prolonged pressure or friction on the skin. Which sounds exactly like corns, right? But the key difference with the pressure is that it is a diffuse pressure over a larger surface area, that’s why callus are usually larger. The pressure is not from a point load at a bony prominence or joint. The skin responds by thickening to protect the underlying tissues. Common causes of calluses include:
- Walking or Standing for Long Periods: Extended periods of walking or standing, especially on hard surfaces, can lead to callus formation.
- Footwear: Shoes that don’t provide adequate cushioning or support can increase pressure on certain areas of the feet.
- Foot Structure/Gait: Certain foot structures, a leg length difference or gait patterns can cause uneven pressure distribution, leading to calluses.
- Skin Infection: In some cases there is a noticeable fungal or bacterial involvement in the skin. If there is fungal involvement you may notice one or more of the following; some skin peeling, red dots, a white powdery look, or itching. If there is bacterial involvement there will be little “pits” in the skin that look like little tiny holes and you might have noticed you have smelly feet.
So, How Can a Podiatrist Help?
As podiatrist we are trained in carefully removing hard skin to bring it back to a comfortable thickness and remove the core from corns. We aim to look deeper into understanding the cause of your callus and/or corns, what management strategy will improve or eliminate the area of concern, and what addition treatment might be required. There is not one method fits all with callus and corns and they may not completely disappear forever, but they can be managed and lessoned.
Some strategies include:
- Regular Debridement: Carefully removing the thickened skin can provide immediate relief from pain and pressure.
- Footwear Advice: We can recommend shoes that provide better support and have extra width or depth if that is what’s required.
- Orthotic Devices: Orthotics can help redistribute pressure across your feet, preventing the formation of corns and calluses.
- Moisturising Treatments: Creams and balms the can help keep the skin soft and prevent excessive thickening.
- Fungal or Bacterial Treatment: We can recommend medicaments to use regularly at home to eliminate any underlying infection in the skin
All-in-all corns and calluses are common but manageable foot conditions. Understanding their causes and knowing how to prevent them can make a significant difference in your foot health.
