Corns and Calluses
Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
What are corns and calluses?
Corns and calluses are annoying and sometimes painful thickenings that form in the skin in areas of pressure. The medical term for the thickened skin that forms corns and calluses is hyperkeratosis. A callus refers to a more diffuse, flattened area of thick skin, while a corn is a thick, localized area that usually has a conical or circular shape. Corns, also known as helomas, sometimes have a dry, waxy, or translucent appearance.
Corns and calluses occur on parts of the feet and sometimes the fingers. Corns can be painful to walk on,
even when they are small. Common locations for corns are
- on the sole, over the metatarsal arch (the "ball" of the foot);
- on the outside of the fifth (small or "pinky") toe, where it rubs
against the shoe; and
- between the fourth and fifth toes. Unlike other corns that
are firm and flesh-colored, corns between the toes are often whitish
and messy; they are sometimes called "soft corns" (heloma molles), in contrast to the more common "hard corns" (heloma durums) found in other locations.
Why do corns and calluses develop?
Hyperkeratosis simply means thickening of the skin; this thickening occurs as a natural defense mechanism that strengthens the skin in areas of friction or pressure. Abnormal anatomy of the feet, such as hammer toe or other toe deformities, can lead to corn or callus formation as can bony prominences in the feet. Footwear that is too tight or that exerts friction at specific points can also cause skin thickening that leads to corns and calluses. Abnormalities in gait or movement that result in increased pressure to specific areas can also be the cause.
It can be hard to know why finger corns develop since they often don't appear at sites of obvious pressure. Finger calluses may develop in response to using tools, playing musical instruments, or using work equipment that exerts pressure at specific sites.
Next: How can corns and calluses be prevented? »
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