Corns and calluses are hard or thick areas of skin that can be painful. They are caused by pressure or rubbing of the skin on the hands or feet.
They are not usually serious. You can treat them at home.
Check if you have a corn or callus
You mainly get corns and calluses on your feet, toes and hands.
What you can do about corns and calluses
Important
Do not treat corns and calluses yourself if you have:
- diabetes
- heart disease
- problems with blood circulation
These conditions can make foot problems more serious.
Contact a GP or foot specialist (podiatrist).
Corns and calluses are not usually serious. There are things you can do to treat them and stop them coming back.
Do
-
wear thick, cushioned socks
-
wear wide, comfortable shoes with a low heel and soft sole that do not rub
-
use soft insoles or heel pads in your shoes
-
soak corns and calluses in warm water to soften them
-
use a pumice stone or foot file to remove hard skin regularly
-
moisturise to help keep skin soft - look for ingredients such as urea, salicylic acid or lactic acid
Don't
-
do not try to cut off corns or calluses yourself
-
do not walk long distances or stand for long periods
-
do not wear high heels or tight pointy shoes
-
do not go barefoot
Your pharmacist can help
Ask a pharmacist about:
- heel pads and insoles
- products to treat corns and calluses that you can get without a prescription
Non-urgent advice: Contact a GP if
you think you have a corn or callus and:
- you have diabetes
- you have heart disease
- you have problems with your blood circulation
- it bleeds
- it has pus or discharge
- it has not improved after treating it at home for 3 weeks
- the pain is severe or stopping you from doing your normal activities
Treatment for corns and calluses
Your GP can:
- look at your foot to see if it is a corn or callus
- give you antibiotics if a corn or callus is infected
- refer you to a foot specialist (podiatrist) if they think you need more treatment
Treatment from a foot specialist
A foot specialist (podiatrist) may offer:
- to cut away the corn or callus
- patches to soften the hard skin so it can be removed
- specially made soft pads or insoles to take pressure off the painful area
Content supplied by the NHS and adapted for Ireland by the HSE
