Corns and Calluses

Also known as: Corns, Calluses, Heloma durum, Heloma molle, Plantar callus, Hard corn, Soft corn

Corns and calluses are areas of thickened skin caused by repeated pressure or friction, most often on the feet. Calluses are broad, diffuse thickenings over weight-bearing areas; corns are smaller, focused plugs with a hard centre that press on nerves and can be very painful, with soft corns forming between the toes [1][2]. Management centres on removing the pressure source: well-fitted footwear, cushioning and padding, and professional debridement by a podiatrist; salicylic acid preparations can help but must be avoided in diabetes and poor circulation [1][2][3]. People with diabetes, peripheral neuropathy or peripheral vascular disease should never self-treat corns and need regular podiatry care, because skin breakdown can progress to ulceration [3][4]. In Chinese medicine these lesions are understood as local stagnation of Qi and Blood in the skin and sinews from chronic pressure, often against a background of Blood deficiency failing to nourish the skin; acupuncture plays a minor, adjunctive role for associated foot pain while pressure offloading remains the definitive treatment.