What Are Corns and Calluses?

Both corns and calluses are areas of thickened, hardened skin that develop in response to repeated friction, pressure, or irritation. They are the skin’s defensive mechanism — building up a toughened layer to protect the underlying tissue from mechanical damage. While they share this basic characteristic, corns and calluses have distinct features.

Calluses are broad areas of thickened skin that typically develop on the sole of the foot, particularly under the ball of the foot (metatarsal heads) and at the heel. They are generally flat or slightly raised, may be yellowed or gray, and are often painless — though large or deep calluses can cause aching discomfort with prolonged standing or walking.

Corns are smaller, more localized thickenings with a dense, hard central core that points inward into the tissue. Corns typically develop on or between the toes where bones press against shoe material or adjacent toes. Hard corns appear on the tops or outer sides of toes; soft corns develop between the toes in areas where moisture keeps them pliable.

What Causes Corns and Calluses?

• Wearing shoes that are too tight, too narrow, or have rigid seams that press against the toes
• Walking without socks or in poorly cushioned footwear
• Biomechanical abnormalities such as bunions, hammertoes, or flat feet that create abnormal pressure distribution
• Bony prominences on the foot that press against shoe material
• Repetitive friction from athletic activity or certain occupations
• Walking barefoot on hard surfaces regularly

Treatment Options for Corns and Calluses

While over-the-counter corn pads and salicylic acid products are widely available, they are not appropriate for all patients and should never be used by patients with diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, or peripheral vascular disease, as they can cause skin breakdown and serious wounds.

At New Canaan Podiatry, Dr. Tauber offers professional, safe treatment including:

• Debridement — precise removal of callus and corn tissue with a scalpel, providing immediate pain relief without damaging healthy surrounding skin
• Padding and offloading devices — custom or semi-custom pads to redistribute pressure away from problem areas
• Custom orthotics — to address the underlying biomechanical causes of abnormal pressure distribution, preventing recurrence
• Footwear modification guidance — recommendations for appropriate shoe types and fitting to eliminate the pressure causing the corn or callus
• Protective toe sleeves and separators for inter-digital corns

For patients with recurrent calluses driven by an underlying structural problem such as a prominent metatarsal head, Dr. Tauber may recommend additional services aimed at addressing the root cause rather than repeatedly treating the symptom.

A Special Note for Diabetic Patients

Patients with diabetes should never attempt to self-treat corns or calluses at home. The skin beneath a callus is thinned and vulnerable to breakdown, and poorly healing wounds can develop rapidly in diabetic patients. Professional debridement and preventive care — including custom diabetic orthotics and appropriate footwear — are essential components of safe foot management for all diabetic patients.

Frequently Asked Questions