Calluses & Corns

You can tell you have a corn or callus by the way it looks. A callus is hard, dry and thick, and it may appear gray or yellow. It may be less sensitive to the touch than surrounding skin, and it may feel bumpy. A hard corn is also firm and thick. It may have a soft yellow ring with a gray center. A soft corn looks like an open sore.

Calluses and corns are often not painful on their own, but they can cause pain when you walk, wear shoes or use your hands. They may also make it hard for your feet to fit in your shoes.

Your doctor will look at the calluses or corns that are causing problems. They may ask questions about your work, hobbies or the types of shoes you wear. If your doctor suspects a problem with the bones, they may take an X-ray.

Calluses and corns do not need treatment unless they cause pain. If they do cause pain, you can help ease it by:

• Wearing shoes that fit well and are roomy, with wide and deep toe boxes (the area surrounding the toes). A wider toe box keeps the toes from pressing against each other, relieving pressure on soft corns. A deeper toe box keeps the toes from pressing against the top of the shoe, relieving pressure on hard corns.
• Using protective padding while your foot heals, such as moleskin, toe separators, toe crest pads, toe caps and toe sleeves, all of which can be purchased at a drugstore without a prescription.

Other things you can try include:

• Reduce the size of the callus or corn by soaking it in warm water, then using a pumice stone to lightly buff away the dead skin.
• Apply salicylic acid to soften the callus or corn, taking care to avoid touching the surrounding skin, then rub the callus or corn off with a pumice stone. Some doctors advise against using salicylic acid because it can damage surrounding skin. Never use salicylic acid if you have diabetes or other conditions that cause circulatory problems or numbness.
• Have your doctor trim the callus or corn with a small blade. Your doctor can do this in their office. Never cut the corn or callus yourself, especially if you have diabetes or other conditions that cause circulatory problems or numbness.

If you continue having problems with calluses or corns or if your problem is severe, your doctor may have you see a foot specialist (podiatrist). You may be fitted for orthotic inserts or metatarsal bar inserts for your shoes to distribute your weight more evenly over the ball of your foot. Athletes who run a lot may wear orthotic shoe inserts for the same purpose.

Surgery is rarely used to treat calluses or corns. But if a bone structure, such as a hammer toe or bunion, is causing a callus or corn, surgery can be used to change or remove the bone structure. This is done only if other treatments have failed.

If you have diabetes, peripheral arterial disease (PAD), peripheral neuropathy or other conditions that cause circulatory problems or numbness, talk to your doctor before you try any treatment for calluses or corns.

Calluses and corns can be prevented by reducing or eliminating pressure on the skin. Calluses on your hands can usually be prevented by wearing gloves to protect your hands, such as when gardening or lifting weights. Calluses on your feet can usually be prevented by wearing shoes and socks that fit well.

Corns on your feet can usually be prevented by wearing shoes that have a wider or deeper toe box. It can also help to get both feet measured by a shoe store clerk before buying a pair of shoes.

In general, you should: 

• Wear shoes that fit well
• Wear gloves while using a tool, like a garden spade or rake
• Wear appropriate padding if you expose other parts of your body to friction. For example, if you are on your knees laying carpet, wear knee pads.

The way you walk can be affected by the bones in your feet or even by tight calf muscles. A podiatrist may be able to help you make changes that can prevent foot problems like calluses and corns.