Corns and calluses are areas of thickened skin that develop when the feet are repeatedly subjected to pressure or friction. They often form from everyday factors like footwear that rubs, high activity levels, prominent bones, or changes in your foot structure that shift how weight is distributed. While both conditions often start as minor nuisances, they quickly become painful, crack, or cause further irritation—especially when they continue to grow over time.
At each of Neville Foot & Ankle Centers' four locations in the Greater Houston area, our podiatrists first closely evaluate the cause of the pressure before recommending a course of treatment. This approach helps you be more proactive about preventing corns and calluses in the future.
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What's a Corn?
The surface layer of skin builds up, irritating the tissues underneath. Hard corns are usually located on the top of the toe or on the side of the small toe. Soft corns resemble open sores and develop between the toes as they rub against each other. Here are some other facts:
- They often develop in the areas near the joints of toes in response to shoe friction, especially if you have hammer toes.
- Another common place for a corn is the side of the little toe.
- Tiny "seed corns" occur most often on the ball of the foot and can be quite painful.
- They can sometimes be mistaken for warts.
Because they’re more concentrated, corns tend to hurt more than calluses, especially when pressed.
What's a Callus?
This thickened patch of skin forms as your foot tries to protect itself from repeated rubbing and pressure. Calluses are different than corns because:
- They're often larger and develop due to friction from shoes or walking barefoot.
- They appear on the soles and balls of the feet because these areas experience the most ground pressure.
Although calluses are usually less painful, excessive growths on the heel may develop into uncomfortable, cracked areas of skin that become wounds.
Treatment Options for Corns and Calluses
It's usually best not to try any home remedies unless one of our Greater Houston podiatrists recommends them. We want to make sure you have a complete diagnosis to determine the best course of action.
In mild cases, we might suggest:
- Soaking your feet in warm water, then use a pumice stone or foot file lightly to reduce thick skin without overdoing it. You should never cut corns or calluses with any instrument.
- Applying a thick moisturizer or urea cream daily and covering tender spots with pads or moleskin to minimize friction.
- Reducing pressure by wearing well-fitting shoes with a roomy toe box and cushioned socks.
However, if a corn or callus is painful or you see any blood in it, you should have it treated by our physicians. These symptoms indicate the growth is irritating the deeper layers of skin, which contain nerves and blood vessels. Treatment will likely involve debriding—a process that removes the thickened skin—or paring the corn or callus so as to remove it without damaging nearby healthy skin. We offer many proven ways to treat these conditions.
