Corns and calluses

Calluses and corns are areas of thick skin caused by pressure or friction.

• Calluses often form on the hands or feet. They usually don't hurt.
• Corns may form on the tops of the toes or between the toes. They may cause pain when you walk or wear shoes.

You can tell you have a corn or callus by the way it looks.

• A callus is hard, dry, and thick, and it may appear grayish or yellowish. It may be less sensitive to the touch than surrounding skin, and it may feel bumpy.
• A hard corn is firm with a thick core. It may have a yellow ring with a gray center. Or it may look darker than the nearby skin. A soft corn can look like an open sore.

Calluses and corns may not be painful, or they may cause pain when you walk or wear shoes. And they may make it hard for your feet to fit in your shoes.

Your doctor will look at the calluses or corns that are causing problems for you. The doctor may also ask you questions about your work, your hobbies, or the types of shoes you wear. An X-ray of the foot may be done if your doctor suspects a problem with the bones.

Usually calluses and corns don't need treatment unless they cause pain. If they do, you may be able to ease the pain with home treatment. For example, it may help to wear shoes that fit well and to use pads to cushion the sore area.

If you keep having problems with calluses or corns, or your problem is severe, your doctor may have you see a foot specialist called a podiatrist. You may be fitted for inserts (orthotics) for your shoes.

Surgery is rarely used to treat calluses or corns. But if a bone structure (such as a hammer toe or bunion) is causing a callus or corn, surgery can be used to change or remove the bone structure. This is used only if other treatment has failed.

• Have your child wear shoes and socks that fit well. This will reduce rubbing and give corns or calluses time to heal.
• Use protective pads, such as moleskin, to cushion the callus or corn.
• Soak the corn or callus in warm water, and then use a pumice stone to rub the thickened skin away.
• Use an over-the-counter callus-removing product, such as one that contains salicylic acid or urea. These products come in creams, ointments, gels, and patches.
• Talk to your doctor before you try any home treatment if your child has a condition that causes problems with blood flow, such as diabetes.
• Wash your child's feet regularly, and rub lotion into your child's feet while they are still moist. Dry skin can cause a callus to crack and bleed.
• Never cut the corn or callus yourself. This is even more important if your child has problems with blood flow to the legs or feet or problems with numbness or feeling in the feet.