Calluses And Corns: Symptoms, Types, Causes and Treatment

Calluses and corns are everyday skin issues, especially for anyone who spends a lot of time on their feet. While they may seem like minor annoyances, left untreated, they can cause significant discomfort and even lead to more serious problems. Understanding their symptoms, types, causes, and treatment options can help you take the right steps for relief and prevention.

Symptoms of Calluses And Corns

Recognizing the symptoms of calluses and corns is the first step toward proper care. These skin changes result from your body’s natural response to repeated pressure or friction, but distinguishing between them and other foot conditions is important for successful treatment.

Symptom	Description	Common Location	Source
Thickened Skin	Noticeable hardening and thickening of the skin	Feet (soles, toes), hands	1 3 4
Pain	Discomfort or pain, especially with pressure	Under callus/corn area	5
Central Plug	Dense, central core (corns) that is pressure sensitive	Toes, pressure points	5
Yellowish Hue	Yellowish or grayish color of affected area	Feet, especially soles	5

Table 1: Key Symptoms

Understanding the Symptoms

Calluses and corns typically begin as subtle changes in the skin’s texture but can quickly become more obvious and painful if not addressed. Here’s a closer look at their main signs:

Thickened Skin

• Calluses develop as broad, diffuse areas of thickened skin, usually with a rough surface. They are most common on the soles of the feet or palms, where friction is frequent 1 3 4.
• Corns are usually smaller and have a well-defined, circular appearance with a dense, central “core” or plug. This core is often the most sensitive to pressure 5.

Pain and Discomfort

• Pain is a hallmark of corns, especially when pressure is applied directly to the central plug. Calluses may be less painful but can become uncomfortable if they grow large or crack 5.

Color and Appearance

• Both calluses and corns may take on a yellowish or grayish tint, distinguishing them from surrounding healthy skin 5.

Location

• While calluses typically form on weight-bearing areas like the soles, corns favor areas where bony prominences rub against shoes, such as the tops and sides of toes 1 3.

Types of Calluses And Corns

Not all calluses and corns are created equal. Their types are defined by their location, structure, and underlying causes, each with unique characteristics and challenges.

Type	Defining Feature	Location	Source
Hard Corns	Dense, central core	Toes, pressure pts	5
Soft Corns	White, rubbery, softer	Between toes	1 3
Seed Corns	Small, discrete, painful	Bottom of foot	1 3
Calluses	Broad, diffuse thickening	Soles, palms	1 3 5

Table 2: Types of Calluses and Corns

Exploring the Different Types

A deeper understanding of the types of calluses and corns can help you identify and manage them more effectively.

Hard Corns

• Appearance: Hard, dense, dome-shaped with a central core.
• Location: Usually over bony areas such as the tops or sides of toes.
• Symptoms: Painful with direct pressure, especially when wearing tight shoes 5.

Soft Corns

• Appearance: Softer, moist, and often white due to sweat and moisture.
• Location: Most commonly found between the toes, where skin is kept moist by perspiration.
• Symptoms: Can be very painful due to maceration and pressure between toes 1 3.

Seed Corns

• Appearance: Tiny, discrete, often painful to pressure.
• Location: Frequently found on the bottom of the foot.
• Symptoms: Less common, but can cause significant discomfort, especially when walking 1 3.

Calluses

• Appearance: Diffuse, irregularly shaped areas of thick, hard skin; typically not well demarcated.
• Location: Soles of the feet, especially the heels and balls, and sometimes on hands.
• Symptoms: Usually less painful than corns, but can become uncomfortable if large 1 3 5.

Causes of Calluses And Corns

Understanding what causes these skin changes is crucial for both prevention and effective treatment. At the heart of the issue is the skin’s natural defense mechanism—hyperkeratosis—in response to repeated stress.

Cause	Mechanism/Description	Risk Factor	Source
Mechanical Pressure	Repeated localized pressure/friction	Tight/poorly fitting shoes	1 3 4
Foot Deformities	Alters pressure distribution	Bunions, hammertoes	1 3
High Activity Level	Increased repetitive force	Athletes, walkers	4 5
Gait Abnormalities	Unusual walking patterns	Abnormal plantar forces	5

Table 3: Primary Causes of Calluses and Corns

Breaking Down the Causes

The formation of calluses and corns is a protective response, but certain factors significantly increase the risk:

Mechanical Pressure and Friction

• Ill-fitting Shoes: Shoes that are too tight, have high heels, or narrow toe-boxes increase friction and pressure on specific foot areas, leading to hyperkeratosis 1 3 4.
• Poor Footwear Choices: Hard soles or lack of cushioning exacerbate the risk.

Foot Deformities

• Structural Abnormalities: Conditions such as bunions, hammertoes, or other foot deformities create abnormal pressure points, making calluses and corns more likely 1 3.
• Redistribution of Forces: Deformities change how weight is distributed across the foot, leading to chronic stress in some areas.

Activity Level

• Athletes and Active Individuals: High-impact or repetitive activities, such as running, dancing, or sports, increase the likelihood of developing these skin lesions 4 5.
• Occupational Risks: Jobs that require prolonged standing or walking can also contribute.

Gait Abnormalities

• Walking Patterns: Unusual movement patterns (gait) can create repetitive pressure and shearing forces on certain parts of the foot, predisposing to callus and corn formation 5.
• Plantar Forces: Repetitive plantar (foot sole) forces lead to thickened skin at high-pressure sites.

Additional Considerations

• Recurrence: Even after removal, calluses and corns often return if the underlying cause is not addressed 5.
• Diabetes: People with diabetes are particularly at risk, as calluses and corns can lead to ulcers and serious complications if left untreated 5.

Treatment of Calluses And Corns

Effective treatment goes beyond simply removing the thickened skin. The goal is to relieve existing discomfort and address the underlying causes to prevent recurrence.

Treatment Type	Approach/Method	Goal/Outcome	Source
Conservative	Proper footwear, padding, orthoses	Redistribute pressure, relief	1 3 4
Mechanical Debridement	Paring, scalpel/cutter removal	Remove thickened skin	1 5
Keratolytic Agents	Salicylic acid, cantharidin solutions	Soften, dissolve keratin	6
Injection Therapy	Injectable silicone cushions	Reduce pressure/pain	7
Surgery	Correct foot deformities	Address root cause	1 3

Table 4: Treatment Methods

Exploring Treatment Options

The right approach depends on the severity, underlying cause, and patient needs.

Conservative Approaches

• Footwear Modification: Switching to shoes that fit well—with low heels, soft uppers, and wide toe boxes—can relieve pressure and prevent recurrence 1 3 4.
• Padding and Orthoses: Use of soft pads, insoles, or custom orthotics helps redistribute mechanical forces and protect vulnerable areas 1 3 4.

Mechanical Debridement

• Paring and Trimming: Regular removal of thickened skin using a scalpel or corn cutter provides immediate relief but requires ongoing maintenance 1 5.
• Professional Care: A podiatrist can safely trim calluses and corns, especially for people with diabetes or circulatory problems.

Keratolytic Agents

• Topical Treatments: Over-the-counter or prescription solutions containing salicylic acid, cantharidin, and other keratolytics are applied to soften and break down thickened skin 6.
• Canthacur-PS: A combination solution (cantharidin, salicylic acid, podophyllin) has shown high success rates with minimal recurrence and side effects 6.

Injection Therapy

• Silicone Injections: Subdermal injection of fluid silicone can cushion pressure points, providing long-term relief for chronic corns. Results are positive, with minimal side effects 7.

Surgical Intervention

• When Surgery Is Needed: Surgery is rarely the first-line treatment. It is considered when conservative measures fail, especially for correcting underlying mechanical stresses or foot deformities 1 3.
• Goal: Surgery should be targeted and minimally invasive, focusing on correcting the source of abnormal pressure.

Prevention and Aftercare

• Addressing the Cause: Lasting relief requires identifying and eliminating the mechanical forces causing the lesion 1 3 4 5.
• Routine Care: Regular checks, especially for at-risk groups like people with diabetes, can prevent complications.

Conclusion

Calluses and corns are common but potentially troublesome skin conditions, especially for those who are physically active or have foot deformities. They arise as the skin’s natural response to repeated pressure and friction, but can cause significant pain and complications if not properly managed.

Key takeaways from this article:

• Symptoms: Recognize thickened, sometimes painful skin—often with a central plug in corns.
• Types: Understand the differences between hard, soft, seed corns, and calluses.
• Causes: Identify and address mechanical pressure, foot deformities, activity levels, and gait abnormalities.
• Treatment: Combine symptomatic relief (removal, keratolytics) with strategies that address the underlying cause (better shoes, orthotics, rare surgery).

By understanding these factors and seeking appropriate care, you can keep your feet healthy and comfortable—no matter where they take you!