Calluses and corns

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of corns and calluses is simple, and no exams are usually necessary. The healthcare provider will likely examine the patient’s feet to determine whether they have corns or calluses. This examination helps rule out other factors that may cause skin thickening, such as warts and cysts. By removing a small portion of hardened skin, the medical professional may be able to confirm the diagnosis. If the skin bleeds or shows black dots (dried blood), it is a wart, not a corn.

Treatment

The method of treating corns and calluses is similar, and it includes preventing the repeated actions that led to their development. To avoid corns and calluses, wearing properly fitting shoes and using protective pads can be beneficial.

If you continue to experience pain or if the corn or callus remains despite your efforts to take care of it, medical treatments may be necessary to alleviate your symptoms. Some options for medical treatments include:

  • Trimming the excess skin: It is possible for a healthcare professional to remove thickened skin or a large corn by using a scalpel during a visit to their office. It is not recommended to attempt this yourself as it may result in an infection.
  • Medicated patches: A patch containing 40% salicylic acid (Clear Away, MediPlast, others) may be applied by your healthcare provider. These patches are available without a prescription. Your healthcare provider will inform you how frequently you need to change the patch. Before applying a new patch, you can try to reduce the thickness of the thickened skin using a pumice stone, nail file or emery board.
  • Shoe inserts: In case of an abnormality in the shape or structure of your foot, a healthcare professional may recommend the use of customized shoe inserts with added cushioning, also known as orthotics. This may be suggested to prevent recurring corns or calluses.
  • Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be proposed by your healthcare provider to fix the alignment of a bone that is causing friction. This type of surgery may not require an overnight stay in a hospital.