Corns & Calluses: A Complete Guide to Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

If you've ever experienced discomfort or pain while walking due to thickened, hard skin on your feet, you might be dealing with corns or calluses. Common yet often misunderstood, these skin conditions can impact your daily life, especially if left untreated.

At FootImpact – Mumbai’s leading podiatry clinic, we specialize in diagnosing and treating foot conditions like corns and calluses. This comprehensive guide will help you understand what they are, how they form, their symptoms, and the most effective treatment and prevention options available today.

What Are Corns and Calluses?

Corns

Corns are typically found on the tops of toes and under the foot, presenting as small, rounded areas of thickened skin on the feet's pressure points & friction areas too. They may be hard or soft, depending on where they develop.

• Hard Corns: These appear on the tops of the toes in a few cases the outer side of the little toe. Most commonly under the feet (sole area) and they are painful.
  
  

• Soft Corns: Found between the toes, these are moist and rubbery. Most of the time occurs due to friction between the toes.
  
  

Calluses

Calluses are characterized by larger, flattened areas of thickened skin. They typically form on the soles, heels, or balls of the feet. Mostly the same areas as corn occurs. Due to undue pressure & frictions the calluses develop later these calluses convert into Hard Corns. In other words the primary stage is calluses then secondary stage is Hard Corns.They are usually painless but may become uncomfortable over time.

Causes and Risk Factors

Understanding what causes these foot issues can help in both prevention and treatment.

Common Causes

• Structural foot deformities (Flat feet, High Arch, bunions & hammertoes)

• Deviated walking (Gait) pattern- Overpronation & Underpronation
  
  

• Ill-fitting shoes (tight or high-heeled)
  
  

• High-impact activities (running, long walks)
  
  

• Not wearing socks with shoes
  
  

• Standing for long periods
  
  

Risk Factors

• Diabetes or poor circulation
  
  

• Age-related skin thinning
  
  

• Manual labor or outdoor walking
  
  

• Wearing heels or sandals regularly

🩺 Symptoms and Diagnosis

Corns

• Pain when pressed
  
  

• Circular or cone-shaped hard bump
  
  

• Inflamed skin around the bump
  
  

Calluses

• Thickened, rough skin
  
  

• Yellowish or gray skin patch
  
  

• Generally painless unless cracked
  
  

At FootImpact, diagnosis is performed through:

• Visual inspection by a podiatrist

• Foot Alignment screening

• Gait analysis (if necessary)

• Orthotic offloading (to reduce the pressure)

With the help of assessment & doctor plan or customise (bedsite or immediate) the orthotic to take out the pressure from the corn & redistribute the plantar pressure. With this patient can experience immediate no pain or significant changes in the pain.

🧑‍⚕️ When Should You See a Podiatrist?

You should consult a podiatrist if:

• You have diabetes or poor circulation
  
  

• The corn or callus becomes painful
  
  

• You notice bleeding, cracking, or infection
  
  

• Over-the-counter pads aren’t helping
  
  

• It’s interfering with daily activities
  
  

🧬 Treatment Options at FootImpact (Mumbai)

At FootImpact, we offer comprehensive corn and callus removal treatments that are safe, effective, and tailored to your needs.

Conservative Treatments

• Debridement: Safe shaving of thick skin
  
  

• Padding & Strapping: To relieve pressure
  
  

• Custom Orthotics: To correct walking posture
  
  

• Topical Treatments: Medicated creams or plasters
  
  

📍 We are located in Mumbai, easily accessible from major suburbs like Andheri, Bandra, and Lower Parel.

Prevention Tips

• Wear comfortable, properly fitting footwear
  
  

• Use protective pads or insoles for pressure areas
  
  

• Moisturize feet regularly to prevent dryness
  
  

• Avoid walking barefoot in rough or dirty environments
  
  

• Visit a podiatrist annually for preventive care
  
  

Why Choose FootImpact for Corn & Callus Treatment in Mumbai?

• 🧑‍⚕️ Experienced Podiatrists trained in modern foot care

• 🦶 Advanced Diagnostics including gait analysis and imaging

•  TO stop the recurrence / To get rid of it permanently.

• 🌐 Hygienic, state-of-the-art clinic

• 🗓️ Same-week appointments available

• 💬 Multilingual support: Hindi, Marathi, English
  
   

FAQ Section

Q1: Corns vs. Calluses: What's the Distinction?
The untreated calluses convert into corns.Corns are characterized by their small, round shape and painful nature, while calluses are typically larger, flatter, and do not usually cause pain. Both are areas of thickened skin.

Q2: Can corn go away without treatment?
Mild corns may resolve with footwear changes and home care, but the recurring & persistent ones often need professional treatment.

Q3: When should I see a podiatrist for corn?
If it’s painful, infected, or affecting your walk, consult a podiatrist immediately.

Q4: Are corn removal treatments painful?
Here in FootImpact, we don’t do surgeries. Even non-invasive corn removal will not be done on day one. In the follow-up that is after offloading the corn removal will be done. Most treatments at FootImpact are non-invasive and pain-free, especially with local anesthesia.

Q5: How long does recovery take?
Simple treatments require no downtime, while surgical removals may need 1–2 weeks of rest.