Corns and Callus

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One of the most common reasons that patients attend clinic is due to painful corns or for callus removal. Corns and Callus are areas of thickened skin caused by excessive pressure or friction. They can occur anywhere on the foot, from the sole of the foot, in between toes, on top of the foot, or on the toes. Sometimes they can also be painful.

Callus-

An area of thickened and hard skin usually found on the soles of the feet. 

Corns-

These are smaller areas of thick skin caused by pressure or friction. There are 5 types of corns:

1. Hard corns (Heloma Durum)- These are the most common type of corn and typically can be found on the top of toe joints, on the end of toes, and on the sole of the feet. They usually appear due to deformity or excessive pressure. They are approximately the size of a small pea with an overlying layer of hard skin.

2. Soft Corns (Heloma Molle)- These are caused due to pressure or friction, and are found between the toes. They appear white and are rubbery in texture due to moisture from sweat or inappropriate drying.

3. Seed Corns (Heloma Mille)- These are tiny corns which can appear either singular or in clusters, and are usually more common in dry skin conditions.

4. Vascular Corns- These can be hard or soft corns with blood vessels within them so tend to bleed very easily.

5. Neurovascular Corns- These Corns are like vascular corns but also have nerve involvement. They tend to be very painful and are often inflammed.

• Foot deformity for example, Bunion, or hammer toes
• Poor fitting footwear
• Abnormal foot function
• Not wearing Socks
• Dry Skin
• Reduced Fatty padding

• Pain
• Thick, rough area of skin

• Self treatment by use of foot file or pumice stone
• Apply foot cream daily
• If problem persists see a Podiatrist who can:

o Remove any hard skin or corns

o Give Footwear advice

o Carry out a gait analysis to address poor foot function. 

o Relieve any excessive pressure