Callosities and Corns

Callosities and Corns Overview

Callosities (calluses) and corns are areas of thickened skin that develop in response to repeated pressure or friction, most commonly on the feet. While these are not dangerous, they can become painful and bothersome, especially when walking or wearing certain footwear.

Calluses are typically larger, flatter, and more diffuse, while corns are smaller, more defined, and may have a central core that presses into deeper layers of skin, often over bony prominences.

These lesions are particularly common in people with foot deformities, prominent bones, abnormal walking patterns, or those who wear tight or ill-fitting shoes.

Callosities and Corns Symptoms and Diagnosis

Common symptoms include:

• Thick, hard, or rough areas of skin on the foot or toes

• Pain when walking, especially when pressure is applied to the affected area

• Corns may feel like a small pebble under the skin

• Skin may appear yellowish, grey, or waxy, often over joints or pressure points

• Sometimes accompanied by redness or mild inflammation

Diagnosis is made through clinical examination, often identifying characteristic skin changes over areas of pressure or deformity. It is important to rule out other causes such as warts, foreign bodies, or underlying infections in at-risk patients.

Callosities and Corns Causes

Calluses and corns form due to repetitive pressure or friction, commonly caused by:

• Tight or ill-fitting shoes

• High-heeled footwear or thin soles

• Toe deformities, such as hammer toes or claw toes

• Bony prominences from arthritis or biomechanical abnormalities

• High-arched feet (pes cavus) or flat feet

• Abnormal gait or walking patterns

• Occupational factors involving prolonged standing

Calluses may also occur on the heel or ball of the foot in people who walk barefoot frequently or wear minimal footwear.

Callosities and Corns Treatment and Prevention

Treatment aims to relieve pressure and reduce the thickness of the skin. Options include:

• Regular debridement: A podiatrist or clinician can safely trim down calluses or remove the central core of corns

• Footwear modification: Wide, cushioned shoes with plenty of toe room are key

• Offloading with orthotics: Custom insoles can redistribute pressure away from problem areas

• Protective pads or toe sleeves to reduce friction

• Emollients and keratolytic creams: Urea-based creams soften the skin and reduce build-up when used regularly

• Addressing underlying biomechanical causes, such as tight tendons or foot deformities, through physiotherapy, orthotics, or stretching

For diabetic or high-risk patients, professional monitoring is essential to avoid ulceration or infection under areas of pressure.

Surgery

Surgery is rarely required for calluses or corns themselves, but may be indicated if a structural deformity (e.g. hammer toe, bunion, prominent metatarsal head) is causing recurrent symptoms or breakdown of skin.

Correcting the underlying deformity can reduce pressure and prevent recurrence.

Mr Hester will assess whether a surgical approach is appropriate, particularly if conservative measures have failed or skin breakdown is ongoing.

Callosities and Corns Recovery

If surgery is required to address a foot deformity or pressure point, recovery typically involves:

• 2 weeks of rest with the foot elevated and dressing in place

• Wound review and suture removal at 2 weeks

• Gradual return to walking in a post-op shoe or supportive footwear

• Custom orthotics to offload pressure after surgery

• Most patients return to full activity in 6–8 weeks, though swelling and footwear restrictions may persist a little longer

Expected Recovery Timeline (if surgery is performed)

0–2 weeks

Rest, foot elevated. Protective dressing or post-op shoe.

2 weeks

Wound review. Sutures removed or trimmed. Light walking begins.

2–6 weeks

Increase walking. Continue supportive footwear and offloading.

6–8 weeks

Return to daily activities. Monitor for recurrence.

12+ weeks

Long-term prevention with footwear advice and custom orthotics.