Corns and Calluses

What are Corns and Calluses?

A callus is a flattened area of hardened skin. Whilst a corn is an area of hardened skin in the shape of an inverted cone.

Causes of Corns and Calluses

Both conditions result from excessive physical stress on the skin caused by friction or pressure. These conditions can be painful and can effect one’s lifestyle. Good management of a patient with corns is to firstly remove the cause, e.g. poorly fitting footwear. Treatment is aimed at eliminating pain and the restoring normal skin function.

Treatment for Corns and Calluses

A common treatment approach is enucleation (removal by cutting) of a corn with a scalpel. Pads may also be used to reduce pressure on the toes and redistribute mechanical stress, and topical therapeutic products can be used to soften texture and reduce bulk of the corn. More complex causes of corns may require surgical intervention.