Corns are a common foot condition that can cause discomfort and pain. Understanding what corns are is helpful for proper identification. This article details their different forms and how to distinguish them from other foot problems.
What Exactly Is a Corn?
A corn is a small, hardened skin area. It develops from repeated friction or pressure. These lesions appear as raised, round bumps of thickened skin, sometimes surrounded by irritation. Corns can be tender or painful, especially under pressure, due to a central core pressing deeper into the skin.
How Different Corns Appear
Corns have several forms, each with distinct characteristics and locations.
Hard corns are dense skin areas, often within a larger patch of thickened skin. They are found on the tops or sides of toes where bone presses, and can be yellowish or grayish. Hard corns are painful due to their concentrated core.
Soft corns are whitish or grayish with a softer, rubbery texture. They develop between toes, especially the fourth and fifth, where moisture makes them pliable. They can sometimes resemble an open sore.
Seed corns are tiny, pinhead-sized lesions on the soles of the feet, sometimes in clusters. These small, circular spots are tender, especially on weight-bearing parts of the foot. Some believe they are caused by plugged sweat ducts.
Telling Corns Apart from Other Foot Issues
Distinguishing corns from calluses and warts is important for proper management.
Calluses are larger, broader areas of thickened, rough skin with less defined borders than corns. They form on weight-bearing areas like heels or balls of feet, causing less sharp pain than corns. Corns have a deeper, concentrated core; calluses are widespread skin thickening.
Warts, especially plantar warts, can be mistaken for corns, but have key differences. Warts are caused by HPV, appearing grainy with small black dots (clotted blood vessels). Unlike corns, warts interrupt natural skin lines; corns preserve them as thickened skin. Warts hurt more when squeezed from the sides; corns hurt more with direct pressure.
When to Talk to a Doctor
Consult a doctor for corns under several circumstances. If a corn becomes intensely painful, inflamed, or interferes with walking, consult a doctor. Signs of infection (redness, swelling, increased pain, or pus) also warrant prompt evaluation.
Individuals with underlying conditions like diabetes or poor circulation should always consult a healthcare provider for any foot issues, including corns. These conditions impair healing and sensation, increasing the risk of complications like ulcers or infections. A doctor can safely remove corns and provide prevention guidance.
What Exactly Is a Corn?
A corn is a small, hardened area of skin that forms on the feet. It develops from repeated friction or pressure. These lesions present as raised, round bumps of thickened skin, sometimes surrounded by irritated skin. Corns can be tender or painful, as they have a central core that presses deeper into the skin.
How Different Corns Appear
Corns come in several forms.
Hard corns are small, dense areas of skin. They are found on the tops or sides of toes, particularly where bone presses against the skin, and can be yellowish or grayish in color. These hard corns can be painful due to their concentrated core.
Soft corns, in contrast, are whitish or grayish and possess a softer, rubbery texture. They commonly develop between the toes, especially between the fourth and fifth toes, where moisture from sweat contributes to their pliable nature. Soft corns can sometimes resemble an open sore due to their appearance.
Seed corns are tiny, pinhead-sized lesions that often appear on the soles of the feet, sometimes in clusters. These small, circular spots of hardened skin can be very tender, particularly if they are on a weight-bearing part of the foot. Some medical professionals believe seed corns might be caused by plugged sweat ducts.
Telling Corns Apart from Other Foot Issues
Distinguishing corns from other common foot conditions, such as calluses and warts, is important.
Calluses are larger and broader areas of thickened, rough skin with less defined borders compared to corns. They form on areas of the feet that bear weight, like the heels or the balls of the feet, and cause less sharp pain than corns. While corns have a deeper, concentrated core, calluses are a thickening of the skin.
Warts, particularly plantar warts, can sometimes be mistaken for corns, but they have key differences. Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and often appear grainy with small black dots or pinpoints within them, which are clotted blood vessels. Unlike corns, warts tend to interrupt the natural skin lines, whereas corns are a thickening of the skin itself, preserving the skin lines. Warts are typically more painful when squeezed from the sides, while corns hurt more with direct pressure.
When to Talk to a Doctor
Seeking professional medical attention for corns is advisable. If a corn becomes intensely painful, inflamed, or interferes with daily activities like walking, a doctor should be consulted. Signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, increased pain, or pus oozing from the corn, warrant prompt medical evaluation.
Individuals with underlying health conditions, such as diabetes or poor circulation, should always consult a healthcare provider for any foot issues, including corns. These conditions can impair healing and sensation, increasing the risk of serious complications like ulcers or infections from even minor foot problems. A doctor can safely remove corns and provide guidance on preventive measures.