How do I remove corns and callus?
Corns and callus are cause by a thickening of the skin called hyperkeratosis. Corns and callus are often painful and hard areas of skin that are caused by increased pressure and friction on the foot. Corns and calluses are often an indication that the skin is trying to protect the affected area from injury, pressure or rubbing.
Corns and calluses are more common in people with very high arches, ill-fitting shoes, sweaty feet, smokers, and those who are on their feet for long periods.
Although corns and callus are not usually harmful, they can lead to infections, ulcerations, irritation, and pain. This can be concerning for those with underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, neuropathy and poor circulation in the feet.
What is the difference between corns and callus?
What is a callus?
A callus is a portion of skin that has become thickened and often yellowed due to increased friction, pressure, and irritation. This condition is very common on the feet and can cause pain and discomfort.
Callus often forms where skin rubs against bone, footwear, and even the ground. Callus often forms around the bottom of the heels and also under the forefoot.
Callus differs from corns as they are often larger and wider with less-defined edges.
What is a corn?
A corn is a small area of hard skin that has usually has a hard central core, corns commonly occur at high-pressure areas at the bottom of feet and between toes. Corns are small and circular with a clearly defined center which may be hard or soft.
Signs and symptoms
Corns and callus can be painful and uncomfortable and can feel like you are walking on stones.
The following signs and symptoms can indicate the presence of a corn and callus:
Thick and rough skin
Cracked skin
Raised and hard bump
Pain and tenderness under the skin
If you have significant amounts of pain, warmth, redness or fluid leaking you need to seek urgent medical advice as you may have an infection.
Corns and callus can be more harmful in those with peripheral neuropathy (numbness and tingling in feet), diabetes, poor circulation, fragile thin skin, and other medical conditions. It is important that this is managed by a podiatrist and not treated at home.
Causes and risk factors
The main cause of corns and callus is increased pressure and friction on the skin.
Some contributing factors may include:
ill-fitting shoes which are too small, too loose or high heels
shoes with seams or pointy shoes which rub against feet
socks which do not fill well or not wearing socks
walking barefoot
biomechanics - they way you walk
the shape of your feet - joint diseases (arthritis), bunions, hammertoes, high arches, and even flat feet
How to treat corns and callus?
Sometimes corns and callus can be treated at home with a pumice stone, daily moisturizer containing a kerotolytic such as urea, and reducing risk factors by wearing appropriate shoes, socks, orthotics and devices such as toe seperators if needed. Salycilic acid treatment options are available at pharmacies, but they should only be used with medical or podiatrist supervision as they can lead to damage to the skin.
It is important to see a podiatrist to manage corns and callus if you have medical conditions such as diabetes, neuropathy and poor circulation which may affect your ability to heal. The podiatrist can then safely remove corns and callus with tools such as a scalpel and this can be managed appropriately.
You should not attempt to remove corns and callus on your own without a podiatrist due to the risk of infection and poor healing. Podiatrists remove corns and callus routinely with a scalpel and can help you assess how you can reduce the frequency that corns and callus occur. At Bondi Podiatry we also offer medi pedi pamper packs so that you can treat your feet.
We treat feet from all over Sydney, particularly the Eastern Suburbs. As podiatrists in Bondi Junction, we are happy to treat anyone that comes to our Sydney clinic. Our local area includes Bondi Junction, Bondi, Bondi Beach, North Bondi, Rose Bay, Tamarama, Coogee, Randwick, Bellevue Hill, Dover Heights, Vaucluse, and Edgecliff.
