Understanding The Difference And Treatment Options
You’ve noticed a hard, rough patch on the bottom of your foot. It might be painful when you press on it or it might just feel like a thick bit of skin that won’t go away. Is it corn? A callus? And does it actually matter which one it is?
It does, actually. While corns and calluses are both caused by pressure and friction, they’re different conditions and they tend to show up in different places, feel different under your finger, and sometimes need different approaches to treat. So let’s break it down clearly.
Difference Between A Corn And A Callus
A corn is a small, concentrated area of hardened skin usually round or cone-shaped, with a dense core in the centre. That core is what makes it painful. When you put pressure on it (like walking or wearing shoes), it pushes right into the sensitive tissue underneath.
A callus, on the other hand, is a broader, more spread-out patch of thickened skin. It develops as your body’s way of protecting an area that’s taking a lot of friction or pressure. Calluses are generally thicker and cover a larger surface area, but they don’t usually have that painful central core that corns do.
The simplest way to think about it, corns are small, deep, and often painful. Calluses are bigger, flatter, and usually feel rough or thick.
Where Do They Typically Show Up
Corns tend to form on the toes, particularly on top of the toes, between the toes, or on the outer edges. These are spots where your toes rub against each other or against the inside of your shoes. You might also find a corn on the bottom of a toe, especially if the way you walk puts extra pressure on one particular spot.
Calluses are much more common on the sole of the foot, especially on the ball of the foot (that padded area just behind your toes) or on the bottom of the heel. These are the weight-bearing areas of your foot, and calluses develop there because they’re constantly taking the load when you walk, run, or stand.
Why Do Corns Or Calluses Develop
Both corns and calluses are your skin’s response to repeated pressure or friction. Your skin is actually doing its job, trying to protect the tissue underneath. The problem is that when they get too thick or too painful, they stop being helpful and start getting in the way.
The most common reasons they develop include:
- Shoes that don’t fit properly, too tight, too loose, or with a narrow toe box that squeezes your toes together.
- The shape or structure of your foot. If you have high arches, flat feet, or toes that don’t sit quite right, certain areas will take more pressure than others.
- How you walk. Your gait (the way you move when you walk) affects where pressure falls on your foot. Some people naturally put more force on certain spots without realising it.
- Spending a lot of time on your feet, whether that’s for work, exercise, or just an active lifestyle.
How To Tell Which One You Have
If you’re trying to work it out at home, here are a few things to check:
Size and shape: Is it small and round, or bigger and more spread out? Small and round leans towards corn. Bigger and flatter leans towards a callus.
Pain level: Does it hurt when you press on it or put weight on it? A painful spot with a hard centre is more likely a corn. A callus might feel uncomfortable if it’s very thick, but it’s usually not as sharp or pointed in its pain.
Location: Is it on a toe or between your toes? More likely a corn. Is it on the sole or the ball of your foot? More likely a callus.
Texture: Does it feel like a smooth, hard lump with a core you can almost feel underneath? That’s corn. Does it feel like a patch of rough, dry skin that’s just gotten thicker over time? That’s a callus.
Can You Treat Corns Or Calluses At Home
For mild cases, there are some things you can do to manage them yourself:
- Soaking your feet in warm water can soften the skin, making it easier to gently file down with a foot file or pumice stone.
- Keeping your feet moisturised helps prevent the skin from getting too dry and thick in the first place. Regular moisturising and careful exfoliation help maintain healthy skin.
- Switching to shoes that fit properly with enough room in the toe box and good support. It removes a lot of the pressure that causes both corns and calluses to form or get worse.
- Using Silicone pads or cushioning pads can reduce friction on affected areas.
Do Corns and Calluses Need Different Treatment?
The approach to treating both is pretty similar. The main goal is to remove the thickened skin safely and address whatever’s causing it to form. But there are some differences worth knowing about.
Corns, because they tend to be smaller and more concentrated, can often be removed in a single appointment. The painful core is the priority, and once that’s gone, the discomfort usually clears up quickly. Calluses might take a bit more attention if they’re particularly thick, but they’re generally straightforward to manage with regular professional care.
The bigger difference is in the follow-up. If a corn keeps coming back in the same spot, that’s usually a sign that something about the way pressure is being distributed on your foot needs to change. That’s where orthotics or footwear adjustments come in. A callus on the ball of the foot, for example, might mean your foot mechanics need a closer look.
When It’s Time To See A Podiatrist
While minor foot conditions can often be managed at home, consult a podiatrist if you experience:
- Pain that persists despite self-care
- Thick, uncomfortable lesions that affect daily activities
- Signs of infection including redness, warmth, or swelling
- Recurring problems despite following prevention guidelines
- Foot issues alongside diabetes, which requires specialised attention
Important – Trying to cut corns or calluses off yourself at home is not recommended. It’s easy to cut too deep, create an open wound, and risk infection, especially if you have diabetes or any issues with circulation or sensation in your feet.
As experienced Adelaide podiatrists, we deliver professional assessment and treatment to help maintain your foot health, whether you’re enjoying coastal walks at Glenelg, shopping in Rundle Mall, or exploring the Adelaide Hills.
What Professional Treatment Involves
A foot specialist can safely remove the thickened skin, get to the root of why it’s forming, and help you work out a plan to stop it from coming back.
Debridement: Your podiatrist will gently remove the thickened skin of the callus and, for corns, remove the painful centre core. This provides immediate relief and is a straightforward procedure.
Padding and Strapping: To help the area heal and prevent the problem from returning, your podiatrist may use soft padding and strapping to redistribute pressure away from the affected spot.
Deflective Appliances: These are small devices that fit easily into your shoes to help deflect pressure away from problem areas.
Foam Wedges: For corns on the toes, small foam wedges can be placed between the toes to relieve pressure on the affected parts.
Shock Absorption: For calluses on the soles of the feet, especially in older patients who have less natural padding, extra shock absorption for the ball of the foot can help compensate.
Orthotic Therapy: If your corns or calluses keep coming back, special shoe inserts (orthotics) may be prescribed to reduce excessive weight-bearing forces on your foot and provide long-term relief.
Footwear Advice: Your podiatrist will also discuss the types of footwear most likely to cause corns and calluses, and recommend options that reduce friction and pressure.
At AC Podiatry, we treat the corns and calluses every day. Our podiatrists can assess your feet, remove the problem safely, and talk you through what’s causing it, whether it’s your shoes, the way you walk, or the shape of your foot. To book an appointment, call us on (08) 8255 5575 or Book online. We have clinics in Oakden, Adelaide CBD, Magill, and Malvern.
Remember, your feet carry you through every step of your day – they deserve proper care and attention!
