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Corns and calluses are common and can be painful if left untreated. BioPed footcare clinicians treat corns and calluses during routine footcare appointments.

We are frequently asked what the difference between a corn and a callus is, if they can be permanently removed and is treatment painful?

Let’s explore the cause of corns and calluses and what can be done to help.

What is the difference between a corn & callus?

Corns and calluses are both thickened areas or hyperkeratosis, in the first layer of the skin.  When there is repetitive pressure or friction on the skin, the body attempts to create a protective layer by thickening the skin. Calluses are caused by a shearing force or when the foot and the ground move in opposite directions. Corns form when there is a torsional or rotational force during movement, walking or running. Corns can occur on the bottom of the foot but are also commonly found on the tops of or in between the toes. Calluses usually appear on the bottom or sole of the foot and around the heels. Both can be painful, but because corns are a more concentrated or circumscribed area of a callus, they tend to be more painful. This circular formation creates a pinpoint or localized area of thickened skin which has the sensation of wearing a stiletto high heel versus a running shoe.

It is best to seek help from a footcare clinician for an assessment and treatment as opposed to trying to solve the issue yourself. These clinicians will take a medical history, conduct an exam of your feet, inspect your shoes to make sure they are appropriate and may even watch how you walk. Both Registered Chiropodists and Footcare Nurses can remove corns and calluses during a clinic appointment. After the skin is cleansed with an antiseptic such as rubbing alcohol, a sterile scalpel blade or file is typically used to remove layer by layer of thickened skin. Once the area of thickened skin is removed or reduced, relief is often felt right away. Over-the-counter medicated corn pads can be dangerous to use as they contain a medicine called salicylic acid which can damage healthy skin as well as thickened skin.

As mentioned above, corns and calluses can also be caused by the way a person walks. Seeing a BioPed lower limb clinician such as a Certified Canadian Pedorthist or a Registered Chiropodist for a biomechanical assessment and gait analysis can help determine the cause of these painful lesions. Unless the cause of these lesions is treated, corns and calluses will continue to build-up. Custom foot orthotics, a change in footwear or even something as simple as wearing a protective toe sleeve to reduce pain and discomfort may be recommended. Custom foot orthotics help to correct lower body mechanics and off-load high pressure areas on the feet. They will also improve balance and make walking more efficient. When placed inside appropriate and well-fitting footwear, custom foot orthotics are successful in increasing comfort and reducing the severity of corns and calluses.

BioPed clinics also have footcare products to increase comfort and keep corns and calluses at bay in between footcare appointments. Using a foot file in combination with a moisturizer is effective in maintaining the health of the skin.

Get footlogix callus softner & file (kit)

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Also, important to note, plantar warts can have a similar appearance to corns. To treat a lesion successfully, you need to know what it is. Make an appointment at your local BioPed clinic today to find out what can be done to increase your comfort so you can do more in life!