Our Foot and Ankle Services

Calluses & Corns

A callus is an area of hard, thickened skin that can occur across the ball of the foot, on the heel, or on the outer side of the big toe.

Causes of Calluses & Corns

Calluses form from repeated friction and pressure, as the shoe (or ground) rubs against a bony prominence (bone spur) on the toe or foot. The skin thickens in response to this pressure. Small amounts of friction or pressure over long periods of time cause a corn or callus.

A great deal of friction or pressure over shorter periods of time can cause blisters or open sores. Calluses typically develop under a metatarsal head (the long bone that forms the ball of the foot). Calluses have painful nerves and bursal sacs (fluid-filled balloons that act as shock absorbers) beneath them, causing symptoms ranging from sharp, shooting pain to dull, aching soreness.

Prevention of Calluses & Corns

Switch to better-fitting shoes
Use an orthotic device to correct an underlying cause
Buy socks with double-thick woven cotton soles on the bottom of the foot

Other Types of Calluses & Corns

A plantar callus forms on the bottom of the heel over time where one metatarsal bone is longer or lower than the others. This structure causes the one metatarsal to hit the ground first and with more force than it is equipped to handle. As a result, the skin under this bone thickens.

In most cases, plantar calluses can be treated without surgery. In some recurring cases, however, a surgical procedure, called an osteotomy, is performed to relieve the pressure on the bone.

A condition called Intractable Plantar Keratosis (IPK) is a deep callus directly under the ball of the foot. IPK is caused by a “dropped metatarsal,” which happens when the metatarsal head drops to a lower level than the surrounding metatarsals and protrudes from the bottom of the foot. This results in more pressure being applied in this area and causes a thick callus to form. A dropped metatarsal can either be a congenital abnormality, a result of a metatarsal fracture, or a structural change that may have occurred over time.

Treatments for Calluses & Corns

Calluses can be treated with over-the-counter callus removers, which use strong acids to peel this excess skin away after repeated application. Be careful using these products as they can cause chemical burns when misapplied or used in excess.

Alternatively, treat calluses as follows:

Soak in Warm Water

Begin by soaking the foot or feet in warm soapy water and gently rubbing away any dead skin that loosens.

File the Skin

Next, use a pumice stone or emery board to file away the thickened skin.

Moisturize

Apply a good moisturizer to the hardened areas to keep them softer and relieve pain.

Protect the Skin

You can use a non-medicated corn pads or moleskin (a thin fuzzy sheet of fabric with an adhesive back) that are available in stores and can relieve pain caused by calluses.