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Overview
Corns and calluses are hard or thick areas of skin that can be painful. They're not often serious. There are things you can try to ease them yourself.
Symptoms
You mostly get corns and calluses on your feet, toes and hands.
Corns are small lumps of hard skin.
Calluses are larger patches of rough, thick skin.
Corns and calluses can also be tender or painful.
Causes
Corns and calluses are caused by pressure or rubbing of the skin on the hands or feet.
For example, from:
- wearing high heels, uncomfortable shoes or shoes that are the wrong size
- not wearing socks with shoes
- lifting heavy weights
- playing a musical instrument
Treatment Options
A pharmacist can help with corns and calluses
You can ask a pharmacist about:
- heel pads and insoles
- products to treat corns and calluses
- different types of pain relief
A GP can check if you have a corn or callus.
They might:
- give you antibiotics if a corn or callus is infected
- refer you to a foot specialist if they think you need further treatment
Treatment from a foot specialist
A foot specialist, such as a podiatrist, may be able to offer treatments such as:
- cutting away the corn or callus
- patches to help soften the hard skin so it can be removed
- specially made soft pads or insoles to take pressure off the painful area of your foot
If you have diabetes, heart disease or problems with your circulation, do not try to treat corns and calluses yourself. These conditions can make foot problems more serious. See a GP or foot specialist.
Prevention Tips
Do:
- wear thick, cushioned socks
- wear wide, comfortable shoes with a low heel and soft sole that do not rub
- use soft insoles or heel pads in your shoes
- soak corns and calluses in warm water to soften them
- regularly use a pumice stone or foot file to remove hard skin
- moisturise to help keep skin soft
Don’t:
- do not try to cut off corns or calluses yourself
- do not walk long distances or stand for long periods
- do not wear high heels or tight pointy shoes
- do not go barefoot
When To See A Doctor
See a GP if:
You think you have a corn or callus and:
- you have diabetes
- you have heart disease or problems with your circulation
- it bleeds, or has any pus or discharge
- it has not improved after treating it at home for 3 weeks
- the pain is severe or stopping you doing your normal activities
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