Both corns (Helomas) and callus (Hyperkeratosis) are similar in that they are areas of thickened skin which usually develop in response to repeated pressure or friction. However, they have key differences in appearance, location, and characteristics and treatment. 

Corns

Appearance: Corns are usually smaller and more defined than calluses. They often have a hard centre that can grow into the deeper areas of the skin

Location: Corns typically develop on the tops or sides of toes or other bony areas. They form in spots that experience more direct, focused pressure, like when shoes rub against the toes.

Types:

• Hard Corns: Dense, compacted, usually on the tops of toes.

• Soft Corns: Found between toes, remaining softer due to moisture.

• Seed Corns: Small, scattered across the bottom of the foot.

Symptoms: Corns can be quite painful, especially when pressed, as they push deeper into the skin.

Cause: Often a result of pressure points caused by tight or ill-fitting shoes or bone structure issues, such as hammertoes. Also, the way you walk can contribute to uneven pressure on the feet, leading to corns.

Calluses

• Appearance: Calluses are larger, more diffuse areas of thickened skin, usually with a flatter, rough surface. They lack the distinct, hard centre of corns.

• Location: Commonly found on the bottom of the feet, especially the heels or balls of the feet, and areas that bear weight or experience repeated friction.

• Symptoms: Calluses are usually not painful, though they may feel rough and may cause discomfort if they become too thick.

• Cause: Often due to repeated friction from activities like walking or running, as well as pressure from weight-bearing areas of the foot.

Who is more likely to get corns and calluses?

• You already have medical conditions that change the normal alignment of the bones in your feet. For example, arthritis in your feet, bunions, bone spurs or hammertoes.

• You walk without socks.

• You wear shoes that are too narrow for your foot.

• You have atrophy or loss of your natural cushioning/padding

• You have had previous foot surgery thereby changing the alignment and structure of your feet

• Your feet are wide, and you wear tight shoes

• You have a high arched foot

• You over-pronate (arch collapses inward)

• You stand, walk or run for long periods of time.

Treatment and Prevention

For both corns and calluses, wearing properly fitting shoes, using protective padding, and practicing regular foot care can help. A podiatrist can remove thickened skin or provide custom orthotics if needed, especially if you have structural foot issues or if corns or calluses become painful.

• Properly Fitted Footwear: Wear shoes with adequate space and cushioning to relieve pressure.

• Regular Foot Care: Regular filing with wet pumice stone or foot file

• Professional Debridement: A podiatrist can carefully reduce the thickness of the callus using specialized tools. Also, corns can be “scooped” out or enucleated out of the skin.

• Orthotics: Custom orthotics may help redistribute pressure across the foot and reduce friction and pressure

• Use Padding: Protective pads can help prevent pressure points. However, avoid using the medicated foot pad commonly found at the chemist as tend to burn and macerate the surrounding skin without actually removing the painful core of the corn.

• Moisturize with Urea cream: Regular foot care can prevent skin from becoming too thick and prone to corns.

What are the complications of having corns and calluses?

Ignoring your corns and callus can cause prolonged pain and discomfort. If left intreated, they might grow larger or thicker causing openings in the skin which can develop into a painful infection that requires antibiotics. Also, if the underlying cause is not treated the lesions will continue to develop, even if treated in the short term (i.e. filing, moisturising skin)

Corns and calluses can easily be mistaken for other skin conditions such as plantar warts, ulcers or the presence of a foreign object in your body. That's why it's important to receive a diagnosis from a podiatrist to ensure you're offered the right treatment.  Because calluses are generally symptoms of other problems, it is important to have a podiatrist examine your feet and biomechanics to work out the cause.