Corns (hard and soft)

Corns and calluses are areas of thickened, hardened skin (hyperkeratosis) that form where your feet experience repeated pressure or friction. They are your skin's natural protective response — but when that build-up becomes painful, professional podiatry care can help manage the problem and address the underlying cause.

What are corns and calluses?

A callus is a broad, flattened area of hardened skin, usually on the sole or heel, where weight and pressure are spread across a larger surface.

A corn is a more localised, concentrated area of hard skin that often forms in a cone shape, pressing inward and frequently causing pain. There are two main types:

• Hard corns typically develop over bony pressure points — the tops or tips of toes, or over joints on the sole of the foot.
• Soft corns form between the toes, where constant rubbing combines with moisture to keep the skin soft and macerated.

What causes corns and calluses?

Corns and calluses are primarily caused by excessive pressure or friction on specific areas of the feet. Common contributors include:

• Ill-fitting or tight footwear
• Poor foot mechanics or an altered gait
• Bony prominences and toe deformities
• High activity levels or repetitive loading

What are the symptoms?

You may notice thickened or rough skin, tenderness or pain when standing or walking, a hardened central core (in corns), or discomfort between the toes with soft corns. If you have diabetes or reduced circulation, even small lesions warrant prompt professional attention.

Are corns and calluses treatable at home?

While over-the-counter pads and remedies are widely available, we generally recommend seeking professional care. At-home treatments often don't address the underlying cause, and medicated corn pads in particular can damage healthy surrounding skin or lead to infection — especially in people with diabetes or poor circulation.

How does Blueprint Podiatry assess and treat corns and calluses?

Our podiatry team of three registered podiatrists provides safe, gentle removal of corns and calluses using sterile instruments, with the aim of relieving pain quickly and comfortably.

Just as importantly, we look at why the lesion formed. Every one of our podiatrists is a certified Level 1 Running Coach, so we can carry out a genuine gait and running assessment to identify the pressure points and mechanical factors driving the problem. Where appropriate, treatment may include:

• Footwear advice to reduce friction and pressure
• Custom orthotics — 3D scanned and 3D printed in-house, patient-matched to your left and right foot — to offload high-pressure areas
• Padding, offloading and skin-care guidance
• A management plan to help reduce recurrence

When should you seek help?

Book in if your corn or callus is painful, recurring, bleeding or showing signs of infection — or if you have diabetes, poor circulation or numbness in your feet.

Related services

• General Podiatry
• Running Biomechanical Assessment