Corns & Calluses
What Is a Callus?
A callus is a patch of thick, hard skin that forms in response to repeated pressure or friction, most often found on the soles of your feet, heels, or toes. Calluses act as your body’s natural defence, helping to protect underlying tissues from damage.
Most calluses are not painful, but they can cause discomfort when they build up too much or begin to affect how your shoes fit or how you walk.
What Is a Corn?
A corn is a more focused, often painful area of thickened skin. It typically forms over a bony prominence where there’s repetitive pressure—commonly on or between the toes.
There are two main types:
Hard corns: Dense, small, painful spots, usually found on the tops or tips of the toes or under the foot.
Soft corns: Found between the toes, often whitish in colour and softened by moisture, typically from sweat or tight footwear.
Causes of Corns and Calluses
These thickened skin areas are your skin’s way of coping with excessive pressure or friction. Common causes include:
Poorly fitted shoes (too tight, too loose, or narrow toe boxes)
High heels or pointed shoes
Foot deformities such as bunions or hammertoes
Flat feet or high arches
Abnormal gait or walking patterns
Prolonged standing or walking
Dry skin or lack of cushioning underfoot
Not wearing socks with shoes
Symptoms
The symptoms of a corn or callus can vary based on size, location and thickness, but may include:
Callus:
A thickened, hard patch of skin (usually yellowish)
Feels rough and firm to the touch
Typically not painful, unless the pressure increases
May feel numb or less sensitive
Corn:
A smaller, more focused lesion with a hard centre
Feels like walking on a pebble or pin
Painful when pressure is applied directly
Soft corns between toes may appear moist, white, and feel irritated
It’s important to differentiate corns from conditions like plantar warts or foreign bodies, which may look similar but require different treatment.
Diagnosis
At KL Foot Specialist Podiatry, our podiatrists will:
Perform a thorough visual and physical examination
Assess your footwear, gait, posture and pressure distribution
Rule out similar conditions such as plantar warts, ulcers or infected skin lesions
We always take the time to determine why your corns or calluses have developed so we can provide not just short-term relief, but long-term prevention.
Treatment Options
Callus Removal
We gently and painlessly debride the callused skin using a sterile scalpel. As calluses are made of dead skin, there’s no pain during the removal process.
Corn Removal
Corns are treated similarly, with our podiatrists carefully removing the hard central core to alleviate the pain. The sensation of “walking on a pebble” typically disappears immediately after the corn is removed.
Offloading Pressure Points
To reduce recurrence, we address the underlying pressure or friction that caused the problem. This may include:
Custom orthotic insoles to redistribute pressure
Footwear advice and in-shoe modifications
Silicone toe sleeves or spacers
Dermal balms or urea-based moisturisers to soften skin
DIY Corn Pads or Cutting at Home
We strongly advise against using over-the-counter corn pads (especially medicated types) or cutting the skin at home. These can damage surrounding healthy tissue, cause burns or infection, and make the problem worse—especially in people with diabetes or poor circulation.
What Happens If I Ignore a Corn or Callus?
If left untreated, a corn or callus may:
Thicken further, becoming more painful and restricting your movement
Crack or split, especially on heels, leading to bleeding and infection
Hide foreign objects or infected skin underneath
Lead to ulcers, especially in high-risk patients such as those with diabetes
Result in skin breakdown, requiring more intensive treatment later
Prevention Tips
You can take several simple steps to reduce the risk of future corns and calluses:
Choose well-fitted, supportive shoes with a wide toe box
Use custom orthotics if you have biomechanical issues or bony prominences
Moisturise your feet daily, especially dry or thick skin
Avoid walking barefoot on hard surfaces
Wear protective pads or toe sleeves if you are prone to pressure areas
Stretch and strengthen the muscles and joints of your feet
Replace worn-out footwear regularly
Why Choose KL Foot Specialist Podiatry?
Experienced, gentle podiatrists who treat corns and calluses every day
On-the-spot painless debridement using sterile tools
Comprehensive biomechanical assessments to fix the root cause
Custom orthotics and shoe modification services available
Safe care for diabetic and high-risk feet
Book Your Appointment
If you're dealing with painful or unsightly corns and calluses, let us help. Our expert team at KL Foot Specialist Podiatry is here to provide fast relief and long-term prevention. Book your appointment today and take the first step toward pain-free feet.