Corns and calluses

Corns and calluses are hard or thick areas of skin that can be painful. They're not often serious. There are things you can try to ease them yourself.

Check if you have a corn or callus

You mostly get corns and calluses on your feet, toes and hands.

What you can do about corns and calluses

See a GP if you think you have a corn or callus and:

• you have diabetes
• you have heart disease or problems with your circulation
• it bleeds, or has any pus or discharge
• it hasn't improved after treating it at home for 3 weeks
• the pain is severe or stopping you doing your normal activities

Treatment for corns and calluses

A GP can:

• look at your foot to see if it's a corn or callus
• give you antibiotics if a corn or callus is infected
• refer you to a foot specialist if they think you need further treatment

Treatment from a foot specialist

A foot specialist, such as a podiatrist, may be able to offer treatments such as:

• cutting away the corn or callus
• patches to help soften the hard skin so it can be removed
• specially made soft pads or insoles to take pressure off the painful area of your foot

Referral to a podiatrist on the NHS may not be available to everyone and waiting times can be long. You can pay to see a podiatrist privately.

Common causes of corns or calluses

Corns and calluses are caused by pressure or rubbing of the skin on the hands or feet.

For example from:

• wearing high heels, uncomfortable shoes or shoes that are the wrong size
• not wearing socks with shoes
• lifting heavy weights
• playing a musical instrument