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A corn or callus is an area of thick, hardened, dead skin, caused by friction and irritation. Corns form on the sides and tops of the toes, and can be quite painful. A callus typically forms on the bottom or sides of the feet and can be uncomfortable and unsightly, but does not usually become painful. Calluses can also form on the hands. Corns and calluses can typically be treated at home, but if yours are painful, persistent, or if you have an underlying medical condition, such as diabetes, medical treatment may be necessary.
Steps
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Differentiate between a corn and a callus. Corns and calluses are not the same thing, therefore the treatment approaches are different. [1] X Research source
- A corn can develop between the toes, has a core, and can be quite painful. Corns also develop along the tops of the toes, most often located just above a joint in the toe. [2] X Research source
- Corns are categorized as hard, soft, or periungual. A hard corn most commonly develops on the top of the toe and over a bone joint. A soft corn develops between the toes, usually between the fourth and fifth toes. A periungual corn is less common, and occurs along the edge of a nailbed. [3] X Research source
- A core is not always present, but is usually found at the center of the corn. The core consists of thick and dense skin tissue. [4] X Research source
- The core of the corn points inward and often presses on a bone or nerve which causes it to be quite painful.
- A callus does not have a core, and is a broader area that is made of evenly distributed thicker tissue. Calluses are not usually painful, although they can be uncomfortable. [5] X Research source
- Calluses usually develop on the bottom of the foot and just beneath the toe area. Calluses can also develop on the hands, usually on the palm side and just under the fingers. [6] X Research source
- Both corns and calluses are caused by friction and pressure. [7] X Research source
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Use over-the-counter remedies. Salicylic acid is the most common ingredient found in over-the-counter products used to treat corns and calluses. [8] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- The use of over-the-counter products is helpful in removing corns and calluses, but their use is more effective when combined with general measures to take care of the skin. [9] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Take steps to treat the immediate problem, but be sure to correct the problem causing the friction or pressure. [10] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
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Apply salicylic acid pads to remove a corn. Salicylic acid corn remover pads are available without prescription in strengths as strong as 40%. [11] X Research source
- Soak the foot in warm water for about five minutes to soften the tissue. Dry the foot and toes thoroughly before applying the pads. [12] X Research source
- Take care not to apply the pad against healthy skin tissue. [13] X Research source
- Most products recommend repeating the procedure every 48 to 72 hours, for up to 14 days, or until the corn is removed. [14] X Research source
- Salicylic acid is classed as a keratolytic agent. This means it helps to bring added moisture to the area while working to soften and dissolve skin tissue. Salicylic acid can be harmful to healthy tissue. [15] X Research source
- Follow the instructions on the product or in the product literature. Do not use if you are allergic to salicylic acid products. [16] X Research source
- Avoid getting salicylic acid products in your eyes, nose, or mouth, and do not use on any other area of the body without instructions from your doctor. [17] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Rinse any areas accidentally exposed to salicylic acid with water immediately. [18] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Keep salicylic acid products stored in a safe manner, away from children and pets.
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Use salicylic acid for calluses. Salicylic acid comes in a variety of forms and a multitude of strengths. Foams, lotions, gels, and pads are available that can be used to treat callused areas on your foot. [19] X Research source
- Each product has unique application instructions. Follow the direction on the product or in the product literature to effectively use salicylic acid products to get rid of calluses. [20] X Research source
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Use topical products with 45% urea. Other than treatment with salicylic acid, other products are available over-the-counter that may be helpful. [21] X Research source
- Products that contain 45% urea can be used topically as keratolytics to help soften and remove unwanted tissue, including corns and calluses. [22] X Research source
- Follow the directions provided on the product label or contained in the product literature. [23] X Research source
- Routine directions for using 45% topical urea products include twice daily applications until the condition has resolved. [24] X Research source
- Do not ingest topical urea products, and do not get them in your eyes, nose, or mouth. [25] X Research source
- Keep the products away from children and pets. [26] X Research source
- If swallowed, call 911, call a poison control center, or seek emergency medical attention the fastest way possible. [27] X Research source
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Use a pumice stone. For callused areas, using a pumice stone or file designed for the foot, can help to get rid of the hardened areas of skin. [28] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source They're especially helpful on broad, callused areas, like the heel or the bottom of your feet. [29] X Expert Source Mark Co, DPM
Podiatrist Expert Interview. 21 April 2020.- This can also be used for unwanted calluses that form on the hands. [30] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Using a device like a pumice stone or file helps to remove layers of dead skin. Take care not to file away healthy tissue. Doing so can lead to further irritation and possibly infection if the healthy skin is broken. [31] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- File away layers of thickened and hard tissue before you apply medication. [32] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
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Soak your feet. Soaking your feet in warm water helps to soften the thickened areas of tissue for both corns and calluses. [33] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- For unwanted calluses on your hands, soaking the area can help to soften the tissue just as it does for your feet. [34] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Dry your feet or hands thoroughly after soaking. While your skin tissue is soft after soaking, proceed with using your pumice stone or file. [35] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source .
- Even if you don’t have time to soak your feet or hands every day, use the pumice stone or file just after getting out of your bath or shower. [36] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
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Keep your skin moist. Apply moisturizers to your feet and hands to help keep the tissues soft. [37] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- This can make it easier to remove the hardened thick areas of skin with a pumice stone or file, as well as help to prevent the formation of corns and calluses. [38] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Since the skin on your feet is very thick, use a thick lotion to ensure it's able to penetrate deep enough to soften your feet. [39]
X
Expert Source
Mark Co, DPM
Podiatrist Expert Interview. 21 April 2020.
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Pursue medical help in treating the condition. If you have a callus or corn that's deeply seated in one area, it's probably best to have that treated at a podiatrist's office. Also, if you have diabetes, you are at greater risk of serious foot problems partly caused by changes in circulation to your extremities, so it's especially important to see a doctor. [40] X Trustworthy Source FamilyDoctor.org Family-focused medical advice site run by the American Academy of Family Doctors Go to source
- Medical conditions like diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, and any other condition that interferes with normal blood flow, warrant medical help to treat corns and calluses. Talk to your doctor before treating your corns or calluses at home. [41] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
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Ask your doctor for instructions if the areas are large and painful. While corns and calluses rarely fall in the category of a medical emergency, sometimes the areas are very large and quite painful. [42] X Trustworthy Source FamilyDoctor.org Family-focused medical advice site run by the American Academy of Family Doctors Go to source
- Seeking help from your doctor is the safest and most effective way to proceed with treatment. [43] X Trustworthy Source FamilyDoctor.org Family-focused medical advice site run by the American Academy of Family Doctors Go to source
- Some corns and calluses are resistant to the available over-the-counter treatment options. Ask your doctor about prescription strength products or procedures that may be helpful. [44] X Trustworthy Source FamilyDoctor.org Family-focused medical advice site run by the American Academy of Family Doctors Go to source
- Your doctor can help by performing some in-office procedures to improve the condition. [45] X Trustworthy Source FamilyDoctor.org Family-focused medical advice site run by the American Academy of Family Doctors Go to source
- Using a scalpel or other tool available in the medical office, your doctor can help to trim away large areas of excess and hardened skin. [46] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Do not attempt to trim very thick areas of hardened skin at home. This may lead to more irritation, bleeding, and possible infection. [47] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
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Look for warts. In addition to corns and calluses, sometimes warts are part of the problem. [48] X Trustworthy Source FamilyDoctor.org Family-focused medical advice site run by the American Academy of Family Doctors Go to source
- Your doctor can help determine if warts, or any other skin condition, is involved and recommend the best treatment approach. [49] X Trustworthy Source FamilyDoctor.org Family-focused medical advice site run by the American Academy of Family Doctors Go to source
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Watch for signs of infection. Very rarely, the corns or calluses may become infected. [50] X Trustworthy Source FamilyDoctor.org Family-focused medical advice site run by the American Academy of Family Doctors Go to source
- See you doctor as soon as possible if any area of your foot or hand is red, swollen, feels warm to the touch, or is more tender than normal. [51] X Trustworthy Source FamilyDoctor.org Family-focused medical advice site run by the American Academy of Family Doctors Go to source
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Consider foot conditions that cause misalignment. Some people have deformities in their feet that cause them to have repeated problems, including recurrent problems with corns and calluses. [52] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Your doctor may refer you to a podiatrist for treatment. Some conditions that may be contributing to the problems you are having with corns and calluses include hammer toe, bone spurs, lower than normal natural arches, and bunions. [53] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Many of these conditions can be corrected by wearing inserts or specially designed footwear. [54] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- In rare cases, surgery may be warranted. [55] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
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Watch for complications on your hands. When calluses develop from a source of friction or pressure on your hands, it is possible for the skin to break and an infection can begin. [56] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- In some cases, blisters form along with, just beneath, or beside the calluses. When this happens, fluid is contained inside the blisters, which is naturally absorbed back into the skin with time. If the blisters pop or drain, it is easy to get an infection started in the healthy tissue around the blisters and calluses. [57] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Contact your doctor if your hand appears reddened, swollen, or warm to the touch. [58] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Topical or systemic antibiotics may be needed if you have an infection. [59] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
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Eliminate the source of friction. The most common cause of corns and calluses on the feet is something causing irritation, pressure, or friction in the same spot. [60] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- By eliminating the source of the friction, you can prevent corns and calluses from forming. [61] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
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Wear shoes that fit properly. Shoes that do not fit can rub against your toes or cause your foot to slide inside the shoe. [62] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Be sure your toes have plenty of wiggle room inside your shoes. [63] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Corns develop along the tops and sides of your toes, and can be due to wearing shoes that do not give your toes enough room. [64] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Repeated rubbing or irritation caused by shoes that do not fit properly are a major cause of corns of calluses. [65] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Tightly fitting shoes and shoes with high heels that cause your fit to slide forward can cause corns and calluses to develop. [66] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Calluses develop when the bottom or side of the foot slides against a part of the shoe that is irritating, or slides inside of shoes that are too large. [67] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
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Wear socks. Going without socks can cause your feet to experience friction and pressure from your shoes. [68] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Always wear socks to prevent the friction and pressure. Especially in shoes that are designed to wear socks, such as athletic foot wear, heavy work shoes, and boots. [69] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Be sure your socks fit properly. Socks that are too tight can squeeze your toes causing unwanted pressure and friction. Loosely fitting socks can slide down on your foot while in the shoe and contribute to added friction and pressure on areas of your foot. [70] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
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Apply protective coverings. Use pads placed on top of the areas where the corns develop, between your toes, or along areas where the calluses form. [71] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Using pads, sections lamb’s wool, or toe separators can help to reduce the friction and pressure along your toe or foot area where the corns and calluses are located. [72] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
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Wear gloves. Calluses form on your hands at the areas of greatest friction. [73] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- In many cases, calluses on the hand are welcomed. One example involves people that play musical instruments. Guitar players, for instance, appreciate the calluses that form on the tips of their fingers. This helps them to play their instrument without pain. [74] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Another example is athletes that lift weights. The calluses that form on their hands can help them to grasp and manipulate the bars used in weight lifting. [75] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow do podiatrists remove corns?Dr. Mark Co is a Podiatrist who runs his own private practice in San Francisco, California. Dr. Co specializes in treatments for bunions, ingrown toenails, toenail fungus, warts, plantar fasciitis and other causes of foot pain. He also offers custom orthotics for the treatment and prevention of foot and ankle issues. Dr. Co completed a Master of Business Administration (MBA) at New York University and an MA in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Co also completed his DPM at the California School of Podiatric Medicine and a residency and internship at the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Santa Clara, California. Dr. Co was awarded San Francisco's "Top 3 Podiatrists" in 2018, 2019, and 2020. Dr. Co is also a member of the CPMA (American Podiatric Medical Association).A podiatrist can trim out the area with a scalpel blade, which is a quick way to get rid of the problem. If you have a callus or corn that's deeply seated in one area, it's probably best to have that treated at a podiatrist's office.
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QuestionMost remedies of applying a corn plaster state something along the lines of "apply until the corn is removed," or "apply until the corn is easily removed." In neither case does it state how to remove it easily or what to look for to know a corn is ready to be removed.Dr. Chris M. Matsko is a retired physician based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With over 25 years of medical research experience, Dr. Matsko was awarded the Pittsburgh Cornell University Leadership Award for Excellence. He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. Dr. Matsko earned a Research Writing Certification from the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) in 2016 and a Medical Writing & Editing Certification from the University of Chicago in 2017.You can use a pumice stone to remove a corn after treatment. Check out: How to Use a Pumice Stone.
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QuestionI have lymphedema in my legs and feet. Is it ok to treat a corn myself?Dr. Chris M. Matsko is a retired physician based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With over 25 years of medical research experience, Dr. Matsko was awarded the Pittsburgh Cornell University Leadership Award for Excellence. He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. Dr. Matsko earned a Research Writing Certification from the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) in 2016 and a Medical Writing & Editing Certification from the University of Chicago in 2017.No, I would go to a podiatrist where you can have a clean, clinical environment to prevent infection.
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References
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About This Article
Article Summary
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To treat a corn or a callus, start by soaking your feet in warm water to soften the thickened areas of skin. Then, use a pumice stone to file away the layers of dead skin. When you’re finished, apply a moisturizer to callused areas to keep them soft and prevent more calluses from forming. For a more severe corn with a core at the center, apply a salicylic corn pad to the area and leave it on for 48 hours. For tips from our Medical reviewer on preventing corns and calluses in the future, keep reading.
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