Corn and Callus Treatment in Maryland
Calluses and corns are areas of hard, thickened skin that form as the body’s defense against friction and pressure. Calluses usually develop on the soles of the feet, while corns are smaller, deeper, and often appear on or between the toes. Both are signs of an underlying mechanical problem, which the podiatrists at Foot Centers of Maryland diagnose and treat at our Baltimore, Glen Burnie, Timonium, and Reisterstown, MD offices.
Request an AppointmentWhat Causes Corns and Calluses?
The primary cause is repeated pressure or friction, often made worse by the structure of your feet:
- Improper Footwear: Shoes that are too tight, too loose, or high-heeled concentrate pressure on specific spots.
- Bony Prominences: Bunions, hammertoes, and bone spurs press the skin against bone.
- Abnormal Gait: Walking patterns that place too much weight on certain areas of the foot.
- Loss of Padding: The natural fat pad on the soles thins with age, increasing pressure on the skin.
Why Corns and Calluses Keep Coming Back
Corns and calluses are not soft tissue problems, and there is no “root” to remove. They are the result of abnormal positioning of the underlying bone, so no matter how often they are cut down, they will return until the pressure is relieved. In some cases, a painful fluid-filled sac called a bursa forms between the bone and the corn, which can be treated with injections and anti-inflammatory medication.
Symptoms
- Hardened Skin: Tough, rough patches that may look yellow or gray.
- Pain or Tenderness: Calluses may burn, while corns can feel sharp when pressed.
- Central Core: Corns often have a dense, translucent center that is sensitive to pressure.
Professional Treatment and Prevention
Patients with diabetes or poor circulation should never attempt at-home removal with sharp tools or medicated pads, which can cause wounds. Learn more about diabetic foot care.
- Safe Debridement: Sterile, painless trimming to reduce thickness and provide immediate relief.
- Padding and Off-Loading: Specialized pads and cushions that relieve friction.
- Custom Orthotics: Redistributing pressure to address the root mechanical cause.
- Bursa Treatment: Injections and anti-inflammatory care for painful inflammation beneath a corn.
- Surgical Correction: Correcting severe hammertoes or bone deformities that cause recurring corns through foot and ankle surgery.
Corns and Calluses FAQs
What is the difference between a corn and a callus?
A callus is a broad area of thick skin, usually on the sole. A corn is smaller and deeper, often on or between the toes, with a hard center that can be painful.
Do corns have roots?
No. Corns do not have roots. They form because of pressure from the bone underneath, which is why they return unless the pressure is relieved.
Can I remove a corn at home?
We do not recommend cutting corns or using medicated acid pads at home, especially if you have diabetes or poor circulation, because they can cause wounds and infection.
How do podiatrists treat corns and calluses?
We safely trim the thickened skin, pad and off-load pressure points, prescribe custom orthotics, and correct the underlying deformity when needed.
Why does my corn hurt so much?
A corn’s hard core presses on nerves, and some corns develop an inflamed bursa beneath them, which can be treated with injections.
Can orthotics prevent calluses?
Yes. Custom orthotics redistribute pressure across the foot, which helps prevent calluses from forming.
When is surgery needed for corns?
Surgery may be recommended when a hammertoe or bone deformity keeps causing painful corns despite conservative care.
Get Lasting Relief from Corns and Calluses
Stop the cycle of painful corns and calluses. Call (410) 844-4700 - Overlea Office, Mercy Office, Reisterstown Office, Glen Burnie Office, or Lutherville Office or request an appointment at our Overlea, Mercy, Glen Burnie, Lutherville, or Reisterstown office.