Corns & Callus
What Are Corns and How We Treat Them
At The London Podiatry Centre, we care for people with painful foot conditions such as corns and bursae. Corns are areas of thickened skin that form in response to pressure or friction—commonly over toe joints, on the little toe, or under the forefoot. A small fluid-filled sac (a bursa) can sometimes develop beneath a corn, making it especially tender. Because the pressure often comes from an underlying bony prominence or foot shape, corns tend to return if the cause is not addressed.
We usually begin with an initial podiatry appointment to assess why the corn has formed and agree a personalised treatment plan. This may include simple measures such as footwear changes, padding or orthoses, and—where appropriate—a Routine Podiatry Appointment for gentle debridement to keep symptoms comfortable. When a persistent bony cause is identified, we can also discuss longer-term options, including minimally invasive procedures performed under local anaesthetic as day-case surgery. Full details are available on our dedicated Treatments page.
Please avoid home acid plasters and self-treatments—these can damage healthy skin and may worsen discolouration or irritation, particularly in darker skin tones. We see patients of all skin types and tailor care accordingly. If you are concerned about corns or persistent foot pain, you’re welcome to send us a photo (click here to send photo) for an expert opinion on whether permanent corn removal surgery is right for you.
Understanding Corns
Following your initial podiatry assessment, we focus on what is driving the pressure. A corn is a small, localised plug of hard skin; callus is a broader area of thickening. Corns most often form over or between toe joints and can sit over a small bursa, which makes them especially tender. Because the pressure usually stems from footwear or underlying bone shape, corns tend to recur unless that cause is reduced.
Based on your assessment, your plan may include:
- Routine Podiatry Appointment – gentle debridement with footwear and pressure-redistributing advice, plus padding or orthoses to keep you comfortable.
- Corrective options – if a fixed bony driver is confirmed, we can discuss procedures that address the cause. Full details are on our Treatments page.
Understanding Callus
Callus is a broader, more diffuse thickening of the skin than a corn and doesn’t have a central core. It develops where pressure, shear or friction are greatest—most often under the ball of the foot, around the heel rim, or along the side of the big toe. While callus is the body’s protective response, it can become uncomfortable, feel like burning when you walk, or crack (heel fissures) if the skin is dry. Factors such as footwear, activity levels, foot shape, prominent bone, or natural loss of fat padding with age can increase build-up.
Management focuses on reducing pressure and caring for the skin: emollients (for example urea-based creams) to soften hard skin, footwear changes and cushioning, and—when needed—a Routine Podiatry Appointment for careful debridement and tailored advice. Orthoses or padding may be recommended to redistribute pressure. Please avoid blades or acid plasters at home, particularly if you have diabetes or circulation problems—professional care is safer. Full details are on our Treatments page.
Understanding bursae
Bursae (singular bursa) are small, fluid-filled cushions that the body uses to reduce friction where skin, tendons or ligaments move over bone. On the feet, an “adventitious” bursa can form in response to repeated pressure or shear—often directly beneath a painful corn or an area of heavy callus. This extra cushion is protective, but it can become inflamed (bursitis), making the spot feel sharply tender (sometimes like “walking on a pebble”) and occasionally puffy or warm.
Because a bursa usually develops where pressure is highest, care focuses on reducing that pressure. At your Routine Podiatry Appointment we can carefully debride hard skin and advise on footwear, padding or orthoses to offload the area. If a fixed bony prominence keeps driving the problem, we can discuss corrective options—see our Treatments page for details. If you notice sudden swelling, redness, heat or increasing pain, seek professional advice promptly, especially if you have diabetes or circulation problems.
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Corns vs verrucae (quick check)
Corns are firm, well-defined plugs of hard skin that usually hurt with direct pressure. Verrucae (plantar warts) are caused by a virus; they often interrupt the skin lines and may show tiny dark dots (thrombosed capillaries). They typically hurt more with side-to-side squeeze than straight pressure. Because they can look similar, we’ll confirm the diagnosis at your assessment before advising treatment.
Prevention & everyday care
Daily habits can slow callus build-up and reduce corn pain. Use a urea-based emollient (10–25%) once or twice daily to soften hard skin. A light rub with a pumice/foot file 1–2 times a week (never to soreness) helps between visits. Choose shoes with a wider, deeper toe box and cushioned insoles; avoid tight, tapered fronts. Simple silicone sleeves, toe props or padding can reduce rubbing. Please avoid corn acids or blades at home—these can burn or cut healthy skin and may worsen discolouration, particularly in darker skin tones.
Corns FAQ
Below are answers to common questions about the diagnosis and treatment of corns and bursae, including surgical options and how to distinguish between the two conditions.
Corns are small areas of layered hard skin that develop due to pressure/rubbing. A corn on top of a toe has usually formed because of shoe pressure. Corns underneath the foot form for various reasons, although one key risk factor is smoking. There is such a thing as a ‘smokers’ corn,’ and this develops secondary to smoking and can be more painful than regular corns and difficult to resolve
Corns can be enucleated/cut out without the need for local anaesthetic. However, they can often recur and therefore addressing the underlying biomechanical issue is recommended. For example, if you have a corn on a toe because it is hammered, then the toe will need to be straightened or shortened to prevent a recurrence. This is something that The London Podiatry Centre specialises in.
- Soak the corn or callus in warm water.
- File the corn or callus with a pumice stone.
- Be careful not to take off too much skin.
- Apply moisturizing lotion or cream to the area daily.
- Use padding.
- Wear shoes that properly fit.
- Keep your toenails trimmed.
Corns underneath the foot are very difficult to get rid of on their own. They tend to persist. Corns on the toes can sometimes go on their own if you do not place pressure on them and wear deep wide fitting shoes. Wearing a toe pad or toe spacer can also help.
If the pressure and rubbing that causes corns is reduced, they usually go away on their own. But there are other things you can do – such as soaking the area in warm water and gently removing the excess hard skin. Corns are common, particularly in older people. These painful lumps of hard skin often occur on your feet. Therefore, wear thick, cushioned socks, wear wide, comfortable shoes with a low heel and a soft sole that does not rub. Also, use soft insoles or heel pads in your shoes.
To get rid of a corn and the risk of it recurring, you need to address the cause. If a corn is on a toe that is hammered or deformed, surgery is required to straighten the toe. The London Podiatry Centre has an on-site CQC registered theatre facility.
Surgery usually involves a small incision (of about 5-10 mm), removal of the head of the corn, and then repairing the skin.
Your surgeon will most likely recommend that you keep your foot dry with a shower bag until your incision(s) heal. Typically, it takes 3 weeks to fully recover from corn removal surgery although the foot will continue to improve in appearance for up to a year as the scar fades.. The recovery time truly depends upon the extent of the surgery and any complications that may arise from it.
Simple removal of the corn should be tried first with padding, and if the corn is on the toe, then wearing very deep, wide shoes is often effective. If this is not the case, then surgery may be required.
Corns underneath the feet can be treated with cryotherapy, specialist padding and orthotics
No, corns do not have roots. They simply represent areas of hard skin due to very focal pressure in one specific area. Verruca also do not have roots.
It will become increasingly painful if a corn is not removed, or the cause. In some cases, the corn
can ulcerate, causing more serious problems such as infection.
Untreated corns can lead to infection, changes in posture and bodily alignment, complications in people with diabetes. A corn, also known as a clavus, is a thickening of the skin that usually develops on the foot due to repeated friction and pressure.
Bursa is a fluid formed sac that develops to protect the foot. Many patients can mistake bursa for corns. Bursa can be removed, injected, and the cause can be resolved by removing the shearing/pressure that has caused it.
It is not advised to cut or shave away your corns, as this can lead to infection of the surrounding tissues.
A corn is generally a yellowy patch of lumpy or bumpy skin. It is usually sensitive to touch and particularly painful when wearing shoes.
Corns are not caused by a virus. They are not contagious.
Seed corns are a cluster of very small corns. They usually form on the bottom of the foot making it very tender on weight-bearing.
A soft corn has a much thinner surface and usually occurs between the lesser digits.
