A corn is a type of thickened skin that forms due to repeated pressure or friction, usually over a bony area like a toe or the sole of the foot. It’s your body’s way of protecting the skin from irritation, but it can become painful over time. They are circular in shape and there are three different types:
| Type | Appearance | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hard corn | Small, dense, and thick patch of skin | Tops or sides of toes (especially over joints) | Most common type |
| Soft corn | Whitish, rubbery, soft | Between toes (moist areas) | Can be painful or lead to infection |
| Seed corn | Tiny, hard bumps | Bottom of foot (heel or ball) | Less common, usually painless |
Common Causes of Corns:
- Ill-fitting footwear (too tight or high heels)
- Toe deformities (e.g. hammertoes, bunions)
- Walking barefoot
- Not wearing socks
Calluses are similar to corns in that they are both caused by excessive pressure and or friction, but it looks different. A callus is flatter and occurs over a diffuse area. It is usually larger than a corn. Not all calluses are painful but when it becomes thick, they are likely to become painful. The only way to permanently resolve the callus/corn is to redistribute the pressure away.
Common Causes of Calluses:
- Walking barefoot or in shoes without socks
- Ill fitting footwear
- Foot abnormalities or poor biomechanics
- High-impact exercise or standing for long periods
Treatment
In most cases, corns can be removed without pain. After removal and sometimes with special silicon relief pads, you will be able to return to sport, work or home duties immediately without discomfort. Treatment of corns is best done sooner rather than later as more complicated and more painful corns can develop if left untreated, and even ulcerate.
Unless something is done to permanently relieve pressure, the lesion (callus or corn) will redevelop. Permanent relief is sometimes achieved by changing shoes, fitting foot orthoses or in rare cases surgery to remove bony prominences and realign bones.