Print OverviewCorns and calluses are thick, hardened layers of skin that develop when the skin tries to protect itself against friction or pressure. They often form on feet and toes or hands and fingers. If you're healthy, you don't need treatment for corns and calluses unless they cause pain or you don't like how they look. For most people, simply removing the source of the friction or pressure makes corns and calluses disappear.Products & ServicesA Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health BookA Book: Mayo Clinic Guide to Home RemediesNewsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital EditionShow more products from Mayo Clinic Symptoms Corn Enlarge image Close Corn Corn Corns have a hard center and tend to develop on the tops and sides of your toes. They can be painful. Callus Enlarge image Close Callus Callus Calluses usually develop on the soles of the feet and palms of the hands. They can vary in size and shape and are rarely painful. Calluses Enlarge image Close Calluses Calluses Calluses often develop on the palms of the hands. They can vary in size and shape and are rarely painful. Playing instruments or using hand tools can cause calluses on the hands. Signs and symptoms of corns and calluses include: A thick, rough area of skin A hardened, raised bump Tenderness or pain under the skin Flaky, dry or waxy skin Corns and calluses are not the same thing. Corns are smaller and deeper than calluses and have a hard center surrounded by swollen skin. They can be painful when pressed. Hard corns often form on the top of the toes or the outer edge of the small toe. Soft corns tend to form between the toes. Calluses are rarely painful and tend to develop on pressure spots, such as the heels, the balls of the feet, the palms and the knees. They may vary in size and shape and are often larger than corns. When to see a doctorIf a corn or callus becomes very painful or inflamed, see your health care provider. If you have diabetes or poor blood flow, seek medical care before self-treating a corn or callus. This is important because even a minor injury to your foot can lead to an infected open sore (ulcer). There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview. Email Address 1 ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe! Thank you for subscribing! You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry CausesCorns and calluses are caused by friction and pressure from repeated actions. Some sources of this friction and pressure include: Wearing ill-fitting shoes and socks. Tight shoes and high heels can squeeze areas of the feet. If your shoes are loose, your foot may repeatedly slide and rub against the shoe. Your foot may also rub against a seam or stitch inside the shoe. Socks that don't fit right can also be a problem. Skipping socks. Wearing shoes and sandals without socks can cause friction on your feet. Playing instruments or using hand tools. Calluses on the hands may result from the repeated pressure of activities such as playing instruments and using hand tools or even a pen. Inheriting a tendency to develop corns. The type of corn that forms on non-weight-bearing areas, such as the soles and palms (keratosis punctata), might be caused by genetics. Risk factorsRisk factors for corns and calluses include: Wearing shoes that increase the pressure or friction on your feet. Having a condition that increases the pressure or friction on your feet. Examples are hammertoe and hallux valgus, which causes a bunion-like bulge at the base of the big toe. Inheriting a tendency to develop corns. The type of corn that forms on non-weight-bearing areas, such as the soles and palms (keratosis punctata), might be caused by genetics. ComplicationsIf you have diabetes or another condition that causes poor blood flow to your feet, you're at greater risk of complications from corns and calluses. PreventionThese approaches may help you prevent corns and calluses: Wear shoes that give your toes plenty of room. If you can't wiggle your toes, your shoes are too tight. Have a shoe shop stretch your shoes at any point that rubs or pinches. Shop for shoes when your feet are most swollen, usually at the end of the day. If you use orthotics and inserts, be sure to have them on while fitting your shoes at the store. Use protective coverings. Wear felt pads, nonmedicated corn pads or bandages over areas that rub against your footwear. You can also try toe separators or some lamb's wool between your toes. Wear padded gloves when using hand tools. Or try padding your tool handles with cloth tape or covers. By Mayo Clinic Staff Diagnosis & treatment May 09, 2024 Print Show references Calluses and corns. Merck Manual Professional Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/dermatologic-disorders/cornification-disorders/calluses-and-corns. Accessed Feb. 16, 2022. James WD, et al. Dermatoses resulting from physical factors. In: Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. 13th ed. Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Feb. 16, 2022. Becker BA, et al. Common foot problems: Over-the-counter treatments and home care. American Family Physician. 2018; 98:298. www.aafp.org/afp. Accessed Feb. 16, 2022. Corns and calluses. American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society. https://www.footcaremd.org/conditions-treatments/toes/corns-and-calluses. Accessed Feb. 16, 2022. Goldstein AO, et al. Overview of benign lesions of the skin. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Feb. 16, 2022. Litin SC, et al., eds. Bones, joints and muscles. In: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book. 5th ed. Mayo Clinic; 2018. Gibson LG (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Feb. 22, 2022. Related Callus Corn Products & Services A Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book A Book: Mayo Clinic Guide to Home Remedies Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital Edition Show more products and services from Mayo Clinic Corns and callusesSymptoms&causesDiagnosis&treatment Advertisement Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad Choices Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. 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There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview. Email Address 1 ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe! Thank you for subscribing! You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry