Two common foot conditions we treat at our office are corns and calluses.  Corns and calluses have two different presentations however both can be caused by excessive pressure or even when shoes start rubbing against your foot and can be painful and irritating.  Calluses are most likely to develop on the sole of the foot while corns typically show up on the outside of the fifth toe or in between the toes.

Corns tend to be small and round and there are three types of corns:  Hard corns – appears on the top of toes and areas where there is bone pressure against the skin; Soft corns – appear between the toes and are whitish/gray in appearance;  Seed corns – these are small and usually appear on the bottom of your feet. 

Calluses are caused by pressure and repeated rubbing such as wearing tight-fitting shoes or even socks.  They appear larger and are usually on the bottom of your feet and in bony areas that carry your weight, for example, your heel, big toe, the ball of your foot or along the side of your foot. 

The most common reason people seek medical treatment for these conditions is that they can be quite painful.  By coming to a Podiatrist,  there are several treatment options we can provide:

Trimming –  Our doctors would use a scalpel blade to trim the excess skin with corns and calluses.  After trimming, our doctors might recommend soaking your feet in warm water and using  pumice stone at home to remove the excess skin.  Please note that you should not attempt to remove corns or calluses at home because it could lead to infections.

Chemical  - patches containing 40% salicylic acid are sold over the counter and not needing a prescription.  We might recommend using  a pumice stone to remove the dead skin before reapplying a new patch.    If you have calluses that affect a larger area, our doctors might prescribe a salicylic acid in a gel formula to apply to the area.

Shoe choices and inserts – If the corns and calluses are caused by your shoe choice, you may need to find a pair of better fitting shoes.  Custom orthotics (inserts) might be needed to prevent any rubbing or friction to prevent corns and calluses from recurring.

Surgery – this is a rare instance and could be required if you have an underlying bone deformity such as a bunion or hammertoe.

Patients who have diabetes or vascular issues (poor circulation) are at the greatest risk for complications including infection if they try to remove them at home.  We always recommend that these patients consult our doctors before attempting any at home treatment. 

Corns and calluses can be painful and we would like to help you alleviate that pain.  Please consider making an appointment with with Dr. Margaret Withrow or Dr. Dylan Kaumaya at Roadrunner Foot and Ankle in Peoria, Arizona.  We want your feet to be happy and healthy.