Calluses and corns

Our feet take quite a beating in our daily lives. Because of this, foot problems are very common. We expect our feet to take us wherever we want to go without any pain or discomfort. We wear new shoes, old shoes, or no shoes. We sometimes expect our feet to endure shoes that are too short, too narrow, or have inadequate cushioning and support. We put pressure on our feet until they tell us to stop!

Foot pressure and friction are often caused by the bones of the foot pressing against the inside of a shoe or from two bones of the foot pressing together. This usually occurs when the second toe presses on the big toe or the fourth toe presses on the little toe. A result of this continued friction is the formation of thick hard areas of skin called corns. Corns look like areas of thick skin on the toes. Hard corns usually appear on the little toe while soft corns appear on the web between the toes.

Calluses are thickened pads of skin, usually found on the bottom of the foot. People with flat feet are especially susceptible to them. The callus may be formed as a result of wearing shoes not wide enough for your foot.

Although extreme cases may require surgical removal, the best way to treat corns and calluses is to:

• Soak the foot in warm water until the hardened skin softens.
• Gently use a pumice stone or callus file over the area.
• Repeat several times if needed.
• Protect the area with a bandage or light pad. Moleskin can be trimmed to fit the spot and relieve pressure.
• Use over-the-counter corn remedies. If you get no relief from these within a month, see your healthcare provider. However, individuals with diabetes or circulation problems should not use over-the-counter medications without approval from their healthcare provider.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIL File FOOT4553.RF2 VRS# 4553 Data Version 7.0 Copyright 1999 McKesson Health Solutions LLC. All rights reserved.