Corns and Callus

Corns and calluses are hard, painful areas of skin that often develop on the feet in response to pressure or friction. They happen when the skin tries to protect an underlying area from injury, pressure, or rubbing. Neither is dangerous, but they can cause irritation.

What is the difference between corn and callus ?

• Corns have a distinct, often hard, center, which may be surrounded by inflamed skin.
• Corns can be painful when pressed, but calluses are not usually painful.
• Calluses are usually larger than corns, and they vary in shape, while corns tend to be smaller, round and well-defined.
• Calluses normally develop on the soles of the feet, especially under the heels or balls, on the palms of the hands, and also on the knees. Corns often occur in non-weight-bearing parts of the skin.

What causes corn and callus ?

The following risk factors are linked to a higher incidence of corns and calluses :

• Anything that causes pressure or friction on the skin.
• Shoes that are too tight or too high-heeled, causing pressure.
• Shoes that are too loose, causing friction.
• A badly placed seam in a shoe that rubs against the skin.
• Socks that do not fit well.
• Wearing no socks.
• Walking barefoot regularly, as the skin will thicken to protect itself.
• Repeated actions such as jogging or walking in a particular way.
• Older age, as there is less fatty tissue in the skin, which means less padding and a higher risk of developing calluses.

What are the Signs and symptoms?

Corns and calluses can make a person feel as if they are walking on stones. The following signs or symptoms may indicate that there is a corn or callus :

• a raised, hardened bump.
• a thick and rough area of skin.
• skin that is flaky and dry or flaky and waxy.
• pain or tenderness under the skin.

Treatment of corn and callus

Most of the corns and calluses can be taken care of by simple tips but if it becomes painful they need to be removed .Care has to be taken to remove the base of the corn so that they do not reappear again. This removal can be done by