Hard Skin Build-up? Let's Talk About Calluses and Corns.

Two very common foot conditions that arise from pressure and friction: calluses and corns. Although both involve the skin thickening as a protective measure, they present slightly differently and can cause varying degrees of discomfort.

What do they look and feel like?

• Calluses: Think of a callus as a more widespread area of skin that has become noticeably thick, hard, and often somewhat yellowish. They typically form over bony prominences on the feet that are subject to repeated pressure or rubbing, such as the ball of the foot, near the big toe or around the heel area.

• Corns: Corns are smaller, more focused areas of thickened skin. The key characteristic of a corn is the development of a hard, central core that pushes deeper into the skin. This core is frequently the source of sharp pain, especially when standing or wearing shoes that press on it. Corns commonly appear on the tops of toes, in between toes (where they might be softer), or on the soles of the feet.

Potential Complications & Related Issues:

While calluses might primarily be a cosmetic concern or feel slightly rough, corns often become quite painful due to the concentrated pressure exerted by their central core. This pain can be significantly aggravated by standing for long periods or wearing ill-fitting or tight shoes.

How do Calluses and Corns Happen?

Both conditions are essentially the skin's natural defence mechanism against persistent irritation:

• Calluses: Form in response to distributed friction or pressure affecting a broader surface area of the foot.

• Corns: Develop when pressure or friction is intensely focused on a very small spot, leading to the formation of that dense central core.

Key Takeaways about Calluses and Corns:

Callus:

• What they are: Areas of skin that become thickened, hard.

• Cause: Result from widespread friction or pressure, typically over bony parts of the foot like the ball or heel.

• Feeling: Generally a diffuse thickening; may or may not cause discomfort.

Corns:

• What they are: Small, concentrated areas of thickened skin featuring a hard central core.

• Cause: Develop due to intense, localized pressure or friction; often aggravated by tight footwear.

• Feeling: Can be sharply painful, especially under pressure, sometimes described as feeling like a pebble underfoot; common on toes (top/between) and soles.

Getting Treatment and Relief:

Here at Donwood Foot and Orthotic Clinic, we frequently manage both corns and calluses. We invite you to book an appointment. Our chiropodists can safely and effectively reduce or remove the thickened skin, help pinpoint the underlying causes of the pressure or friction, and advise you on the best options for immediate relief and long-term prevention strategies.