Corns & Calluses Explained By Our Twin Falls Podiatrist

There can sometimes be unintended consequences that arise when the human body takes certain measures to protect itself. Examples of this include a bone spur pressing into soft tissue and causing pain and inflammation, or a blister that has burst open and increases the risk for infection. Similar issues can exist when corns and calluses are created. Both of these skin conditions may seem harmless enough more often than not, but there is still a potential bigger issues will develop.

Corns and Calluses

There is a common association between calluses and corns, which is logical because they are both essentially patches of thickened, dead skin the body uses for protection against frequent pressure or friction.

Certain similarities do exist between the two conditions, but there are also distinct differences as well:

• Calluses are thickened, but maintain a reasonably flat surface. They tend to be waxy-looking and are often located on parts of the body that bear weight, like the bottoms of the heels and ball of foot areas.
• Whereas a callus is typically flat, a corn is usually raised in a conical shape and might feature a center that is either harder or softer than the rest of it. These particular skin growths are more often found in areas subjected to persistent friction and not responsible for bearing weight. Sides and tops of feet, and between the toes, are common locations.