Corns and Calluses: Why They Form and How to Care for Them Safely

Long days on your feet, new work boots, or a hiking season in stiff footwear can all leave you with a sore, hard spot on a toe or the bottom of your foot. Most of the time that spot is a corn or a callus. They are thick layers of skin that build up where something keeps rubbing or pressing.^1,3

Corns and calluses are rarely serious.³ But they can hurt, and for some people they need professional care rather than home treatment. Here's why they form, what you can safely do at home, and when to have them checked.

What’s the Difference Between a Corn and a Callus?

Both are patches of hard, thickened skin. The thickening is your skin’s way of protecting itself from repeated friction or pressure.³ The main differences are size and location:¹

• Corns are small and round. They usually form on the tops or sides of the toes. A corn has a hard central core, which sets it apart from a callus.^1,4
• Calluses are larger and more spread out. They usually form on weight-bearing parts of the foot, such as the sole, or on the hands.¹

Cleveland Clinic describes three kinds of corns:¹

• Hard corns: small, dense spots, usually on the tops of the toes over bone.
• Soft corns: whitish or gray with a rubbery feel, found between the toes.
• Seed corns: small corns, usually on the soles of the feet.

Why Do I Keep Getting Them?

Cleveland Clinic names ill-fitting shoes as the most common cause.¹ Other things that can lead to corns and calluses include:¹

• Standing, walking or running for long periods
• Jobs, sports or hobbies that cause repeated friction
• Going barefoot, skipping socks, or socks that bunch up
• Narrow shoes, or losing some of the natural padding under the foot
• Foot shape problems that change how bones line up, such as bunions, hammertoes, bone spurs or arthritis

That last point matters. A bent toe rubs against the inside of a shoe, which is why people with hammertoes are prone to corns.⁴ People with bunions often get calluses over them.³ If you have a bunion, our page on bunion care explains more. You can also read our article on hammertoes.

What Do Corns and Calluses Feel Like?

A corn looks like a small, raised, hard bump with irritated skin around it. A callus is thick and flat, and it is often less sensitive to touch than the skin around it.¹ The skin may also be flaky and dry.³ Either one can cause redness, pain or blisters.¹ Cracks in a callus can hurt,¹ and the area may bleed.³

How Can I Treat a Corn or Callus at Home?

If you don’t have diabetes or circulation problems, sources describe a gentle routine:

• Soak. Soak the area in warm water for about five to 10 minutes, until the skin softens.^1,2
• File gently. Use a pumice stone dipped in warm water, or an emery board.^1,2 Don’t take off too much skin. That can lead to bleeding and infection.²
• Moisturize daily. Creams with urea, ammonium lactate or salicylic acid gradually soften hard skin.^1,2
• Pad it. Donut-shaped pads around a corn, or moleskin around a callus, can take pressure off.^1,2
• Fix the fit. Wear shoes that fit, with room in the toe box. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) suggests shoe shopping at the end of the day, when feet may be swollen, and having your feet measured.^1,2
• Trim your toenails. Long nails can push your toes against your shoe and cause a corn. Cut nails straight across.^1,2

The good news: the AAD notes that “most corns and calluses gradually go away when the friction or pressure causing them stops.”² MedlinePlus adds that preventing friction is often the only treatment needed.³

Is It Safe to Cut a Corn or Use a Corn Remover?

No. Cleveland Clinic advises never cutting, shaving or removing a corn or callus with a sharp object.¹ Be careful with over-the-counter corn removers, too. They contain harsh chemicals that can damage healthy skin if they’re used the wrong way.¹ The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) warns against trying to remove a corn at home or using medicated corn pads, “as serious infection may occur.”⁴

Why Are Corns and Calluses a Bigger Deal With Diabetes?

Diabetes can cause nerve damage, so you may not feel a problem developing.¹ The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) warns that if you have nerve damage, corns and calluses can become ulcers.⁵ Poor blood flow also makes healing harder.¹

NIDDK advises people with diabetes not to cut corns or calluses or use medicated corn plasters or liquid removers. It says “cutting and over-the counter corn removal products can damage your skin and cause an infection.”⁵ Use a pumice stone only if your doctor tells you to. If so, use it after bathing and rub gently in one direction.⁵

NIDDK also recommends checking your feet every day, including between your toes. Use a mirror or ask someone for help if bending is hard.⁵ A callus with dried blood in it can be an early sign of a wound underneath. That’s a reason to call your provider right away.⁵ Learn more on our diabetic foot care page.

When Should I See a Podiatrist?

Sources advise getting a corn or callus checked when:^1,2,3

• You have diabetes, poor circulation, or another condition that raises your risk of infection
• It isn’t getting better with home care
• It’s very painful, or the pain is getting worse
• You see signs of infection, such as redness, warmth, swelling or drainage
• You aren’t sure what’s causing it, or you think a foot shape problem may be involved

A provider can usually tell what it is just by looking. In most cases no tests are needed.^1,3 They may ask about your shoes, work and activities, and watch you walk.¹ ACFAS notes that if the underlying cause isn’t treated or removed, a corn may return.⁴ For corns or calluses that keep coming back because of a bone or alignment problem, Cleveland Clinic notes that surgery is sometimes considered.¹

How Can I Prevent Them?

Cleveland Clinic suggests:¹

• Comfortable, well-cushioned shoes that fit, and fewer narrow or high-heeled shoes
• Socks that fit snugly with your shoes
• Cushioned insoles, or lamb’s wool between the toes to cut friction
• Keeping feet clean and moisturized, and checking them daily
• Avoiding going barefoot

For more tips on fit, see our article on proper footwear.

The Bottom Line

Corns and calluses are your skin’s response to rubbing and pressure. Most can be eased by removing the friction: better-fitting shoes, padding, gentle filing and daily moisturizer. Don’t cut them or use harsh removers. If you have diabetes or poor circulation, skip home treatment and have them checked.

If a corn or callus keeps coming back or makes walking painful, our podiatrists can help. Request an appointment and our team will follow up within one business day. You can also find your nearest office on our locations page.

This article is for general education and isn't a substitute for medical advice. Talk with a podiatrist or your doctor about your own symptoms.

Sources

1. Corns and Calluses: Symptoms, Causes & Treatments. Cleveland Clinic. my.clevelandclinic.org
2. How to Treat Corns and Calluses. American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). www.aad.org
3. Corns and Calluses. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, U.S. National Library of Medicine. medlineplus.gov
4. Corns. American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (FootHealthFacts.org). www.foothealthfacts.org
5. Diabetes & Foot Problems. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). www.niddk.nih.gov