What it is
The skin thickens where it is loaded. That is a normal protective response, but past a point the thickened tissue itself becomes the source of pressure and pain — particularly a hard corn sitting over a bony prominence.
Paring a callus away treats today's symptom. Identifying why that spot is overloaded — a hammertoe, a dropped metatarsal head, an unbalanced gait — is what stops it coming back every six weeks.
Symptoms we look for
- Thickened, hardened patches of skin
- Pain when pressure is applied to the spot
- A central core that feels like walking on a stone
- Recurrence in the same location after trimming
How we treat it
- Professional debridement
- Identification and offloading of the underlying pressure point
- Custom orthotics to redistribute load
- Footwear modification
- Surgical correction of the underlying deformity where warranted
When to see a podiatrist
See us rather than using medicated corn pads, especially if you are diabetic — the acid in those products can burn healthy skin and create a wound.
Common questions
Why does my callus keep coming back?
Because the pressure that created it has not changed. Recurrence is a signal that the mechanical cause needs addressing.
Can I use over-the-counter corn removers?
We advise against them. They work by chemically burning tissue and do not distinguish between callus and healthy skin.