Corns & Calluses: More Than Just Hard Skin

What's the Difference?

• Calluses are usually larger, yellowish patches of hard skin, often found on the balls or heels of the feet. They are typically not painful.
• Corns are smaller, deeper, and have a hard center surrounded by inflamed skin. They are often painful when pressed and usually develop on parts of your feet that don't bear weight, like the tops and sides of your toes.

What Causes Them?

The cause is always the same: repeated pressure or friction on a specific spot. Common sources include:

• Ill-fitting Shoes: Shoes that are too tight or high heels that compress areas of the foot are the most common culprits.
• Not Wearing Socks: Going sockless can increase friction on your feet.
• Foot Deformities: Conditions like hammertoes or bunions can create pressure points where corns and calluses form.
• Poor Biomechanics: An abnormal gait can also create unusual pressure on certain areas of the foot.

Safe Removal and Prevention

While over-the-counter pads might provide some relief, the best way to treat painful corns or calluses is to have them professionally removed by a podiatrist.

What we do:

1. Painless Removal: Our specialist will use a sterile surgical blade to carefully pare down the thickened skin. This is a painless procedure as the skin is already dead.
2. Identify the Cause: We will assess your footwear and foot mechanics to determine the source of the pressure or friction.
3. Create a Prevention Plan: This may involve recommendations for better-fitting shoes, the use of protective padding, or in some cases, orthotics to correct an underlying biomechanical issue.