Calluses & Corns
Calluses and corns are areas of thickened, hardened skin that develop in response to repeated pressure or friction.
They are particularly common on the feet, where pressure can be concentrated beneath the heel, ball of the foot, toes or other areas that come into contact with footwear or the ground.
Although corns and calluses are made from thickened skin, they can sometimes indicate that a particular area of the foot is repeatedly being exposed to increased pressure.
At MK Orthotics in Milton Keynes, we can assess your foot mechanics, footwear and the way pressure is distributed through your feet to help identify factors that may be contributing to recurring problems.
What is a corn?
A corn is a small, localised area of thickened skin that develops in response to repeated pressure or friction.
Corns often have a harder central area or core and can occur in several locations, including:
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On the tops or sides of the toes
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Between the toes
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On the soles of the feet
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Around the ball of the foot
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On areas affected by prominent bones or joints
Because a corn is relatively localised, it can feel particularly uncomfortable when pressure is applied to it.
You may notice pain when walking or when wearing certain shoes.
What is a callus?
A callus is a broader area of thickened skin that develops where the skin is repeatedly exposed to pressure or friction.
Calluses commonly occur:
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Under the ball of the foot
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Around the heel
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Along the inside of the big toe
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Over prominent areas of bone
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In other areas exposed to repeated pressure
Calluses are often less sharply defined than corns and may cover a larger area.
Some calluses cause no symptoms, while others can become uncomfortable, cracked or painful.
What causes corns and calluses?
Corns and calluses develop because the skin is repeatedly exposed to pressure, friction or both.
On the feet, contributing factors can include:
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Poorly fitting footwear
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Shoes that are too narrow
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Shoes that rub against the toes
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High-pressure areas beneath the forefoot
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Prominent bones or joints
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Changes in foot posture
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The way your foot distributes pressure while walking
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Repeated sporting or occupational activity
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Abnormal or altered walking patterns
Having a corn or callus does not necessarily mean that something is wrong with the way you walk.
However, if thickened skin repeatedly develops in the same location despite appropriate footwear and skin care, it can be useful to investigate why that area is experiencing repeated pressure.
Why do I keep getting a corn in the same place?
If a corn repeatedly returns in exactly the same location, there may be an ongoing source of pressure or friction.
For example, a prominent joint may press against your shoe, or a particular part of the foot may repeatedly experience increased pressure during walking.
Simply removing the thickened skin may provide temporary relief, but if the underlying pressure remains, the corn can return.
This is why recurring corns may benefit from looking at both the skin and the mechanical factors affecting the foot.
Corns, calluses and footwear
Footwear is an important consideration when dealing with corns and calluses.
Shoes that are too short, narrow or shallow can place pressure against the toes and other prominent areas of the foot.
Depending on where your problem occurs, you may benefit from footwear with:
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More room around the toes
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A wider toe box
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Sufficient depth
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Reduced pressure over prominent areas
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A comfortable sole
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A shape that accommodates your individual foot
The best footwear will depend on your foot shape, symptoms and activities.
If you are unsure why a particular shoe is causing a problem, bringing your footwear to an assessment can be helpful.
Can foot mechanics cause corns and calluses?
The way your feet move and distribute pressure can influence where thickened skin develops.
For example, increased pressure beneath a particular part of the forefoot may contribute to a callus in that area.
Changes in foot posture, joint movement, muscle function and walking mechanics can all influence how forces are distributed through the foot.
However, this does not mean that there is one particular “correct” foot shape or walking pattern.
At MK Orthotics, we look at your individual foot mechanics and consider whether they are relevant to your symptoms.
Corns and calluses on the toes
Corns commonly develop on or between the toes where pressure and friction are concentrated.
This may happen when toes are crowded together or when footwear repeatedly rubs against a particular area.
A prominent joint or change in the shape of a toe can also make it more difficult for the foot to fit comfortably inside a shoe.
If a corn is between the toes, keeping the area comfortable and reducing the source of pressure can be particularly important.
Persistent or painful lesions should be assessed appropriately rather than repeatedly self-treating without understanding the cause.
Corns and calluses under the foot
Corns and calluses can also develop underneath the foot, particularly around the ball of the foot.
This can occur when pressure is concentrated beneath one or more of the metatarsal heads during walking.
Forefoot problems such as metatarsalgia can also be associated with increased pressure in this area.
If you have painful thickened skin beneath the forefoot, it can therefore be useful to consider whether another underlying foot problem is contributing to the pressure.
Can orthotics help corns and calluses?
Orthotics may help some people where pressure distribution through the foot is contributing to recurring corns or calluses.
An appropriately designed orthotic may be able to influence how pressure is distributed during standing and walking.
However, orthotics do not automatically treat every corn or callus, and they are not always necessary.
The important question is whether there is a mechanical factor that an orthotic could reasonably help address.
Depending on your individual circumstances, other approaches may be more appropriate, including:
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Footwear changes
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Pressure-relieving modifications
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Skin care
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Podiatry treatment
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Activity modification
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Management of another underlying foot condition
At MK Orthotics, we assess your feet before deciding whether an orthotic is appropriate.
What about removing a corn or callus?
A podiatrist may be able to safely remove or reduce thickened skin where appropriate.
However, removing the hardened skin does not necessarily address the reason it developed.
If the same area is repeatedly exposed to pressure or friction, the corn or callus may return.
For recurring problems, it can therefore be useful to consider both skin management and pressure management.
Important safety advice
Do not attempt to cut a corn or callus away yourself using a blade or other sharp instrument.
Extra care is also needed if you have diabetes, reduced sensation or problems with circulation. In these circumstances, seek appropriate advice from a healthcare professional or podiatrist before treating thickened skin yourself.
Your assessment at MK Orthotics
Your initial consultation at MK Orthotics lasts approximately 90 minutes and includes video gait analysis where appropriate.
Your assessment may include:
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Discussion of your symptoms
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Where and when the corn or callus develops
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Your footwear
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Your normal activities
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Foot posture
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Foot and ankle joint movement
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Muscle strength and function
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Lower-limb alignment
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Walking mechanics
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Areas of increased pressure
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Video gait analysis where appropriate
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Any existing orthotics or insoles
The aim is to understand whether there is a mechanical or footwear-related factor contributing to the repeated pressure.
What if I already use orthotics?
If you already have orthotics or insoles, bring them with you to your appointment.
We can consider whether they are appropriate for your current foot shape, footwear and symptoms.
Sometimes an existing orthotic may need modification rather than replacement. In other cases, an orthotic may not be the most appropriate solution.
The assessment helps determine which approach is most suitable for you.
When should corns or calluses be assessed?
You may benefit from further assessment if:
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A corn is painful
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A callus repeatedly returns
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You develop thickened skin in the same location
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Footwear is becoming difficult to tolerate
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You have pain beneath the forefoot
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You have recurring pressure problems
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You are unsure what is causing the problem
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Your symptoms are affecting walking or exercise
If you notice significant redness, warmth, swelling, bleeding, discharge or a wound, seek appropriate medical or podiatric advice.
Why choose MK Orthotics?
At MK Orthotics, we look beyond the visible problem.
A corn or callus may be the result of repeated pressure, but understanding why that pressure is occurring can be important when problems keep returning.
We assess your feet, lower limbs, footwear and movement patterns to determine whether your individual mechanics may be contributing to the problem.
We do not recommend orthotics simply because you have a corn or callus.
If we believe another approach would be more appropriate, we will explain this to you.
MK Orthotics is based in Blakelands, Milton Keynes.
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Book an assessment
If you have painful or recurring corns and calluses and want to understand whether foot mechanics, pressure distribution or footwear may be contributing, a detailed assessment may help.
MK Orthotics is based in Blakelands, Milton Keynes.
Your initial consultation lasts approximately 90 minutes and includes video gait analysis where appropriate.