Calluses and Corns: Thick, Hard Skin, Causes and When to Be Seen

What it involves

MedlinePlus describes corns and calluses as thick layers of skin caused by repeated pressure or friction. A corn is thickened skin on the top or side of a toe, and a callus is thickened skin on the hands or soles of the feet. The thickening is a protective reaction.

Who this is for

• Patients with hard, painful skin on a toe or the sole of the foot
• Patients who notice thick skin where a shoe rubs, or over a bunion
• Patients with diabetes or numb feet who want a foot check
• Patients whose corn or callus bleeds, cracks, or looks infected

What to expect

• Questions about the shoes you wear, your activities, and when the thickening started
• A look at the skin and the shape of the foot, since MedlinePlus says tests are not usually needed
• A review of diabetes, nerve problems, or circulation trouble that make foot care more important
• A plan that may include better-fitting shoes, padding, or a referral to a foot specialist

Why the skin thickens

MedlinePlus says corns usually come from ill-fitting shoes, while calluses often form from extra pressure caused by another problem, such as bunions or hammertoes. Farmers and rowers get calluses on their hands that stop blisters from forming. For most people corns and calluses may be painful but are not serious.

What they look like

The signs MedlinePlus lists are visible and easy to feel:

• Skin that is thick and hardened, and may be flaky and dry
• Hardened areas on hands, feet, or other spots that are rubbed or pressed
• Areas that can be painful and may bleed

Treating a corn

According to MedlinePlus, if a poorly fitting shoe is the cause, switching to shoes that fit better will usually solve the problem. A doughnut-shaped corn pad from a drugstore can protect the area while it heals. Wearing the right size is a theme in foot care, and the heel pain guide covers another shoe-related complaint.

Treating a callus

MedlinePlus advises treating the underlying condition, such as a bunion or hammertoe, so that calluses do not return, and wearing gloves during activities such as gardening and weight lifting to prevent them on the hands. It says if an infection or an ulcer develops in a callus or corn, the tissue may need to be removed by a provider, sometimes with antibiotics. Swelling and redness from infection are explained in the cellulitis guide.

Why diabetes changes the advice

MedlinePlus says people with diabetes or nerve problems in their toes are prone to ulcers and infections and should examine their feet regularly, because such injuries need medical attention. The diabetes management page explains ongoing care, and the diabetic foot care guide covers daily foot checks in more detail. Numbness is covered in the numbness and tingling guide.

When to call

MedlinePlus lists these reasons to contact a provider: you have diabetes and notice any foot problem, a corn or callus is not getting better with treatment, or you have continued pain, redness, warmth, or drainage from the area. Otherwise, the problem should resolve with better-fitting shoes or gloves.

Sources

• MedlinePlus — Corns and calluses
• MedlinePlus — Corns and Calluses health topic