Corns? They aren’t fun.

Corns are thick, hardened layers of skin that develop when the skin tries to protect itself against friction or pressure. They often form on feet but they can develop on hands and fingers. 

Corns are different from calluses. They are smaller and deeper and have a hard centre surrounded by swollen skin. 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. 

Corns are caused by repeated direct pressure or friction usually over a bony prominence. The most common cause is poorly fitting shoes or foot deformities such as bunions, hammer toes, claw toes, or subluxed joints. 

Treatment includes regular surgical debridement, footwear assessment, and offloading devices such as padding, and insoles.