Calluses and Corns: Why They Form and How a Podiatrist Removes Them

Calluses and corns are the skin's protective response to constant pressure and friction on the feet. The skin thickens into a hard layer. They are not dangerous, but they hurt when walking, can crack and let infection in, and in people with diabetes they can lead to serious complications. With the right care and a podiatrist's help they can be removed safely.

Callus, corn and plantar wart: what is the difference?

• Callus — a broad, yellowish, hard thickening on the heel, the ball of the foot or the side of the big toe. Usually only mildly painful.
• Corn — a small round lesion with a hard "core" in the middle, often on or between the toes. Pressing it causes sharp pain.
• Plantar wart — caused by a virus; tiny black dots on the surface, painful when squeezed from the sides. It looks like a corn but is treated differently.

That is why a "corn" should be shown to a podiatrist or dermatologist before treatment.

Why do they form?

• tight, stiff or high-heeled shoes;
• walking without socks or in wrinkled socks;
• standing for long periods, lots of walking, sport;
• changes in foot shape: flat feet, bunions, hammer toes;
• excess weight;
• thinning of the fat pad under the foot with age.

How does a podiatrist help?

• Device treatment — the podiatrist painlessly removes the thickened skin layer by layer with special burrs; the core of a corn is carefully taken out.
• Pressure relief — soft pads, toe separators and, when needed, orthotic insoles; without this, calluses come back.
• A care plan — softening creams for your skin type and home care.

Relief is usually immediate, and most people walk in their normal shoes the same day.

What you can and cannot do at home

You can:

• soak your feet in warm water for 10 minutes and gently use a pumice stone on a callus;
• apply a softening foot cream daily (not between the toes);
• wear comfortable, roomy shoes and cotton socks.

You should not:

• cut calluses or corns with a knife, razor or scissors — deep wounds and infection risk;
• put acid "corn plasters" on healthy skin — burns and ulcers;
• use any home methods if you have diabetes or poor circulation — see a specialist only.

Other foot skin problems: nail fungus, fungal skin infections.

When to see a specialist

• a callus or corn makes walking difficult or painful;
• redness, swelling, pus or blood appear;
• there are black dots in the "corn" — it may be a wart;
• you have diabetes — for any callus;
• home care has not helped in 2–3 weeks.

Podiatrist in Fergana and Kokand

At the Radeski Skin Clinic nail and foot clinic a dermatological podiatrist removes calluses and corns painlessly, finds the cause and advises how to keep them from coming back.

• Podiatrist in Fergana and in Kokand.

Removing a callus in time and choosing the right shoes is the simplest way to stop foot pain.