Corns and Calluses

Thick, Rough Area of Skin on Foot

What could be my problem?

Corns and Calluses are thick, hardened layers of skin that develop when the skin tried to protect itself against friction and pressure. Corn or Callus treatment is needed only if they cause discomfort in your feet or if diabetes or another condition causes poor blood flow to the feet and cause greater risk of complications from corns and calluses

What causes Corns and Calluses?

  • Wearing ill-fitting shoes – too tight, too loose, high heels, etc.
  • Not wearing socks with shoes

When to see a foot doctor about Corns and Calluses:

  • If a corn or callus becomes very painful or inflamed
  • If you have diabetes or poor blood flow, see a foot specialist before self-treating because even a minor injury to your foot can lead to an infected open sore (ulcer)

If I have Corns or Calluses, what are my treatment options?

Non-Surgical:

  • Avoiding the repetitive actions that caused them to develop
  • Wearing properly fitting shoes and using protective foot pads
  • If a corn/callus persists, the following medical treatments by a foot specialist can be used to treat the condition: trimming away excess skin, callus removing medication, medication to reduce infection risk and custom orthotics to offload pressure causing the corn or callus

Surgical:

In some rare cases, a foot specialist may recommend surgery to correct the alignment of bone causing the friction and development of painful corns and calluses.