Corns and calluses form where the skin rubs against itself or footwear, and they are painful. Avoid cutting corns or allowing them to crack and bleed, as this invites infection.

Use a pumice stone or foot file to gently remove the hardened tissue. Cushion corns with donut-shaped pads available in the drugstore, or a bit of moleskin or lamb’s wool between toes.

Preventing Corns

There are a number of ways you can prevent corns and calluses from developing on your feet. Good foot care involves washing your feet daily with mild soap and thoroughly drying them, especially between the toes. Regularly using a pumice stone or foot file can help keep your skin soft and reduce friction that can lead to corn formation. Applying a medicated corn pad that contains either salicylic acid, urea or glycerol may also help remove corns and reduce their thickness. Keeping your toenails properly trimmed can also prevent them from rubbing against each other and contributing to the development of corns.

Wearing shoes that fit well, with a wide toe box and sufficient cushioning, can reduce the pressure on specific areas of your feet that can cause friction or rubbing that leads to corns and calluses. Foot inserts can also provide additional support and reduce friction. Other protective padding, such as small stick-on ring-shaped pads or moleskin, can be used to protect a vulnerable area of your foot. Putting a piece of moleskin or a donut-shaped adhesive corn pad between your toes can help cushion a soft callus or corn.

It’s important to talk to your GP or Podiatrist before trying home treatments for corns and calluses, particularly if you have diabetes or problems with circulation in your feet, as these conditions can make foot issues more serious.

Treating Corns

Corns and calluses are thick areas of skin that form when a part of your foot rubs against something repeatedly or is subjected to excess pressure. They may be painful and can bleed when cut. Your health care provider can usually diagnose them by looking at your feet. They may ask you about your job and what activities you do that put stress on your feet. Your provider will also examine your shoes and socks to check for proper fit.

Soaking your feet in warm water can relax and soften the hardened bumps of skin. Then gently file the corn or callus with a pumice stone or an emery board. Do not use medicated corn pads, which can cause irritation and lead to infection.

Using a foot padding that reduces the friction between your toes, such as moleskin, can help remove a callus or prevent it from forming. A doughnut-shaped adhesive corn pad or a piece of lamb’s wool can cushion a corn that is sensitive to shoe pressure.

Wearing shoes that fit properly is the best way to prevent corns and calluses. Your health care provider can recommend the right type of shoes for your feet and show you how to get them on correctly. It is a good idea to shop for shoes at the end of the day, when your feet are most swollen.

Diagnosing Corns

The thickened areas of skin that develop due to pressure and friction are called calluses or corns. These areas of hardened skin may be painful or irritated, and they may have a core of harder skin surrounded by softer skin. They are most often found on the feet, particularly in between your toes.

Your health care provider can usually make a diagnosis simply by looking at the affected area of your foot or hands. X-rays may be used to confirm the presence of a corn or callus, but these are rarely needed for treatment.

To prevent corns and calluses, always wear shoes that fit well and do not pinch or rub your toes. When you buy new shoes, try them on and wiggle your toes to see how much room they give your toes. If you have a medical condition such as diabetes that causes poor blood flow to the feet, you are at increased risk for complications from corns and calluses. To avoid problems, visit your podiatrist for professional treatment and advice about shoe selection.

You can also help to reduce the rubbing and pressure that leads to corns by using padding in your shoes, or by wearing shoe inserts that redistribute pressure and absorb shock. Corns can be treated by soaking the affected area in warm water and applying a pumice stone or a commercially available corn remover to carefully remove the dead skin. Avoid self-treating with over-the-counter products that contain chemicals, because they can damage healthy skin and lead to infection.

Getting Rid of Corns

While corns are usually benign, they can cause discomfort if not treated properly. Home remedies can help ease pain and prevent recurrence. Moisturizing regularly can help maintain skin elasticity and reduce the risk of thickened areas. Regular trimming of toenails and shoes that fit well can also help prevent rubbing. A foot specialist can evaluate your feet and recommend footwear, daily care routines, and treatments that address the root causes of your corns.

Removing the source of friction and pressure can make corns disappear in about two to four weeks. This can be done by using self-care techniques or by consulting a podiatrist who can recommend comfortable shoes, toe separators and other shoe accessories that will provide support and relief for your corns.

Calluses and corns are formed as a natural protective response to shear, friction or pressure on certain areas of your foot. They are most commonly found on the heel, ball of foot, big toe and the sides of your toes. However, they can develop on the tops of your feet and in the hands — especially if you engage in activities that put repeated pressure or rubbing on a particular area such as guitar playing, weightlifting and gymnastics.

To get rid of a corn at home, soak your feet for five to 10 minutes each day and then use a pumice stone to gently file the area. Be careful not to take off too much skin as this could lead to bleeding or infection. You can also use medicated corn removal pads that contain urea or salicylic acid, but it is important to follow the directions carefully on the package.