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What Are Corns and Calluses?

Every day, the average person spends several hours on their feet and takes several thousand steps. Walking puts pressure on your feet that's equivalent to one-and-a-half times your body weight. No wonder your feet hurt!

Actually, many foot problems can be blamed not on walking but on your shoes. Corns, for example, are calluses that form on the toes when the bones push up against the shoe and put pressure on the skin. The surface layer of the skin thickens and builds up, irritating the tissues underneath. Hard corns usually are located on the top of the toes or on the side of the small toe. Soft corns may resemble open sores and develop between the toes as they rub against each other.

Causes

  • Shoes that don't fit properly. If shoes are too tight, they squeeze the foot, increasing pressure. If they are too loose, the foot may slide and rub against the shoe, creating friction.
  • Toe deformities, such as hammertoe or claw toe
  • High-heeled shoes that increase the pressure on the front of your foot
  • Toes rubbing against a seam or stitch inside the shoe
  • Socks that don't fit properly


Diagnosis

Typically, you will see the corn on your toe. The corn may have a tender spot in the middle, surrounded by yellowish dead skin. Your foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeon can confirm the diagnosis and work with you to ensure problems don't recur.

Treatment

Most treatments for corns and calluses can be done at home:

  • Soak your feet regularly and use a pumice stone or callus file to soften and reduce the size of corns and calluses.
  • Wear a donut-shaped foam pad over the corn to help relieve the pressure. Use non-medicated corn pads; medicated pads may increase irritation and result in infection.
  • Use toe separators or a bit of lamb's wool (not cotton) between your toes to help cushion soft corns.
  • Wear shoes that fit properly and have a roomy toe area.


To restore the normal contour of your skin and relieve pain, your surgeon may trim the corn by shaving the dead layers of skin off with a scalpel. This procedure should be performed by a professional; do not attempt to do it yourself, especially if you have poor circulation, poor eyesight, or a lack of feeling in your feet.

If your surgeon discovers an underlying problem, such as a toe deformity, they can correct it with surgery. Most surgeries can be done on an outpatient basis.

 

Contributors/Reviewers: Jamal Ahmad, MD

The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) offers information on this site as an educational service. The content of FootCareMD, including text, images, and graphics, is for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnoses or treatments. If you need medical advice, use the "Find a Surgeon" search to locate a foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeon in your area.