Corns and calluses are rather common occurrences on our feet, and while the terms are sometimes used synonymously, they are actually different conditions. Today, we explain the differences and the treatment techniques for corns and calluses.
Corns and Calluses
Here’s a short breakdown of the two different conditions:
Calluses – Calluses are flat areas of rough, thickened skin that develop out of repeated pressure or rubbing on one area of your foot. This thickening of the skin is a process called hyperkeratosis, and it’s actually a defense mechanism by your body in response to overpressure or overstimulation. This tough and hard patch of skin helps protect the inner layers from heat, cold, penetration or pressure. Oftentimes calluses are found on the bottoms of your feet in areas of high pressure, like the balls of your feet.
Corns – Corns are round-shaped bumps that usually appear dry and discolored. Similar to calluses, corns are caused by excessive or repeated pressure on an area of your foot. Corns can be more problematic, however, as they have a core that points inward, which can pressurize nerves in the foot.
Corn and Callus Treatment
The treatment techniques for each condition also vary a bit. For calluses, treatment usually involves removing the dead/thickened skin, although oftentimes calluses will resolve on their own by simply changing your footwear. This can be done with a pumice stone or a “Ped Egg,” but you’ll want to be careful you don’t cut away too much skin or too deeply. If you don’t possess the right hardware, or you just don’t trust yourself to perform the removal, a foot specialist or podiatrist can assist. Once the callus has been addressed, consider investing in new footwear or orthopedic inserts to prevent overpressure on an area of your foot.
Corns can also be treated with a change in footwear, but they may also benefit from adding padding between the corn and the pressure source. They generally go away on their own, but if they become painful or persist, doctor intervention may be necessary. Both conditions can be surgically treated with the assistance of a surgical blade to carefully remove the development, but it’s something that should only be done by a trained foot surgeon. Surgery is not necessary in the majority of cases, but it’s an option should the condition continue to recur or become problematic for other areas of your feet.