A corn is a localized area of hardened skin, most often occurring on the foot or toes, that develops in response to repeated pressure or friction. This thickening is a protective response where the skin creates a dense layer of keratin to shield underlying tissues. Corns typically have a central core that can press on nerves, leading to pain, distinguishing them from calluses. The two most common types are hard corns, found on the tops or sides of toes, and soft corns, which appear whitish and rubbery between the toes due to moisture.
How Corns Form and If They Resolve Naturally
Corns primarily form because of ill-fitting footwear, such as shoes that are too tight, too loose, or high-heeled, which create excessive friction. Structural issues of the foot, like bunions or hammertoes, can also cause localized pressure that triggers this skin defense mechanism.
A corn can resolve naturally, but only if the underlying cause of friction or pressure is completely eliminated. Since the corn is a symptom of a mechanical problem, removing the irritant—such as switching to properly fitting shoes—will stop the skin’s need to overproduce protective tissue. Once the source of pressure is gone, the hardened skin will gradually diminish as the body sheds dead skin cells over time.
Natural resolution is not instantaneous and can take weeks to months, especially for larger corns. If the pressure source persists, the corn will remain or worsen, becoming thicker and more painful. For many individuals, intervention is necessary because the structural cause of the pressure, such as a foot deformity, cannot be easily removed.
Effective Self-Care Methods for Removal
Active treatment begins with addressing the cause of friction, such as ensuring footwear has a wide toe box. To treat the corn itself, soaking the affected foot in warm, soapy water for 10 to 15 minutes softens the thickened skin. Adding Epsom salts can also help reduce inflammation and further soften the area.
Following the soak, the corn can be gently filed using a pumice stone or an emery board to remove a thin layer of dead tissue. Use gentle, circular motions and only remove the topmost dead layers, as aggressive filing can cause bleeding, pain, or infection. This process is gradual and may need to be repeated daily until the corn reduces in size.
After filing, daily moisturizing keeps the remaining skin soft and supple, preventing the corn from hardening further. Moisturizers containing ingredients like urea or ammonium lactate can help soften the thickened skin over time. Non-medicated padding, such as donut-shaped adhesive pads or moleskin, can also be applied to protect the area and redistribute pressure away from the corn.
Over-the-counter products containing salicylic acid work by breaking down the skin cells that form the corn. When using these medicated pads or liquids, apply the product carefully only to the corn itself, as the acid can irritate healthy skin and potentially lead to infection. Individuals with sensitive skin should be cautious, and those with certain underlying health conditions should avoid salicylic acid products entirely.
Indicators That Require Professional Care
Self-care methods are appropriate for minor corns, but certain signs indicate the need to consult a podiatrist or general practitioner. Any evidence of infection, such as increased redness, swelling, pus, or discharge from the corn, requires immediate medical attention. Severe pain that impairs mobility or makes it hard to sleep is another indicator that professional treatment is necessary.
If home treatments have been applied for several weeks without improvement, a healthcare provider should examine the corn. A doctor can accurately diagnose the issue, as conditions like warts can be mistaken for corns, and they may use a scalpel to safely trim away the thickened tissue.
Individuals with underlying health concerns, particularly diabetes, poor circulation, or nerve damage (neuropathy), should never attempt self-removal. These conditions compromise the skin’s ability to heal and resist infection, making even a small cut from filing or a chemical burn from salicylic acid a serious risk for developing ulcers or severe infections. A podiatrist can safely remove the corn and address the underlying biomechanical issues that caused it.