Corns

A corn is a cone-shaped mass of skin pointing down into your foot.

There are 2 main types of corns — hard corns and soft corns. Hard corns are the most common.

Corns are one of the most common problems that podiatrists see.

Too much pressure, usually with some friction, causes a corn. The skin thickens up to protect itself from the pressure.

Too much pressure can be caused by:

• footwear that is too tight
• toe deformities, such as hammertoes
• bony areas that stick out
• problems with the way you walk or hold your body.

Symptoms of hard corns include:

• thick, hardened skin (often on your little toe)
• pain and tenderness when pressure is applied
• a central core which causes discomfort.

If your hard corn becomes very painful or shows signs of infection like redness, swelling, or pus you should see your healthcare provider or a podiatrist.

Soft corns tend to develop between your toes. Symptoms of soft corns include:

• white, pale or grey skin
• a soft rubbery texture
• pain or tenderness when pressure is applied
• redness or irritation around the toes
• a bad smell.

Soft corns can become infected more easily than hard corns.

Corns can become infected and develop ulcers. This can be a serious complication for people with poor circulation, peripheral neuropathy and those who have diabetes.

See your healthcare provider or a podiatrist if:

• your corns are causing you pain
• you think you have an infection.

If you think you have a corn, talk to your healthcare provider.

They will:

• ask about your symptoms
• look at the area to diagnose the problem
• tell you whether you have a corn or a callus.

Sometimes a verruca can also be mistaken for a corn, so it is best to check.

There are different approaches to treating corns, calluses and verruca.

Good foot care is important for maintaining good foot health.

If you have poor circulation or a long-term medical condition such as diabetes, you should seek help from a podiatrist to manage your corns.

Do not:

• try to cut a corn out yourself, as this might cause an infection
• use products you buy over the counter to remove your corns. These can also damage healthy skin.

There are things you can do to help relieve the symptoms.

Pumice stone or foot file

Use a pumice stone or a foot file to rub away the thickened skin, a little at a time. Do this after you have soaked your foot in the bath for about 20 minutes, so your skin is softer.

If you have diabetes, first check with your healthcare provider if it is okay for you to do this. Make sure you do not mistake a verruca for a corn. If you file a verruca, it can spread to other parts of your foot.

Foam or silicone wedges

To help relieve pressure, use a self-adhesive felt pad or padding such as simple cotton wool between the toes.

Supportive shoes

Wear supportive shoes with a wide toe and a low heel.

Your healthcare provider or a podiatrist will need to work out what is causing your corn and what is the best way to manage it. If you have diabetes or poor circulation, it is especially important to see a podiatrist.

They are likely to consider several options for managing your corn. These include:

• regular maintenance to keep the corn small (this is usually painless)
• padding to ease pressure
• advice about footwear and how well it fits
• foot orthotics to relieve the pressure under your foot
• surgical correction of the bony area that may be causing the high pressure.

There is a cost for a consultation and treatment with a private podiatrist.