Thickened skin under your foot? Sharp pain when you’re walking? Here’s the ultimate guide understanding common corns and calluses and when to start seeking professional help.
What are Corns and Calluses?
Corns
Foot corns are small hardened bumps of skin that form due to repeated pressure or friction on a small area. A corn will often appear as a small circle with a center on the bottom of your feet or in between toes.
Calluses
Calluses are thickened skin that forms from repeated friction or rubbing on areas of the skin. The thickened callus spreads over a broader area of affected skin.
What Makes Them Different?
So really, what’s the difference between corns and calluses if they’re both just hardened skin?
The answer lies in their location, colour and appearance on your foot.
Calluses are large, irregular, flat pieces of hardened skin that form in areas of friction on your feet. Common areas include:
- Sides of large and pinkie toes
- Heels
- Balls of the feet
Corns form in small, distinct circular areas on the foot with a middle point which can often look almost translucent. Common areas include:
- In between toes
- Tops of toes
- Underneath nails
The biggest difference between a corn and a callus is pain. Calluses may cause some uncomfortably. Corns can cause sharp pain when pressure is applied to them and lot of people report the constant feeling of a small sharp rock in the bottom of their shoe when they’re walking.
When Should You Consult a Professional?
You should consult a professional when:
- The pain is affecting your daily activities i.e walking and running
- When it hurts to put on and tighten your shoes
- If you are concerned about the appearance of the skin on your foot
Should You See a Podiatrist for Corns and Calluses?
Yes! Podiatrist’s are experts in the lower limbs and can assist with pain and skin conditions of the feet.
A podiatrist will conduct an examination of the affected area and give a diagnosis on if you have a corn or a callus.
If it is a corn they will then construct a plan on how to remove the corn and prevent future flare ups from occurring. Corn removal typically consists of cutting away the hardened skin until the translucent center of the corn can be safely removed. This process is generally painless and removes the corn in one session. Patches may also be place on the affected area until your skin recovers.
If your podiatrist suspects you have uncomfortable calluses, they will investigate the cause and provide recommendations for avoiding calluses in the future. This may include
- Shoe recommendations
- Gait analysis
- Biomechancial assessments
Is There a Podiatrist Near Me Who Treats Corns?
Align Health Collective has a range of clinics across Australia with allied health professionals including podiatrists, physiotherapists and exercise physiologists. Our practitioners are friendly, empathetic and patient focused.
Our experienced podiatrists have a wealth of knowledge on how to treat and prevent painful corns and uncomfortable calluses. If you have any questions regarding your foot health, book a consult to discuss treatment options with your practitioner.
We have a range of 5 star clinics across Australia! And every single one of them has a practicing podiatrist to assist you with your health goals.
If you’re still unsure about whether you need to see a podiatrist, contact us! We can provide you with some friendly assistance on which health professional is best suited to your needs.
Check out some of our clinics across Australia:
