Appointments for corns are available only at the dermatology outpatient department of IC Clinic Shinjuku.
“What exactly is a corn?”
“What should I do if I develop a corn?”
If you are dealing with a skin condition affecting your feet or hands, you may have found yourself asking these questions.
A corn is a skin condition in which part of the foot or hand becomes hard and painful.
In this article, we explain the causes of corns, available treatment options, and how to manage pain. We also cover whether corns can spread to others and how they differ from calluses, so please read to the end.
Table of Contents
- 1 What is a corn?
- 2 Why do corns develop on the feet? Causes explained
- 3 How are corns removed and treated? Treatment options
- 3.1 Corn treatment option 1: Over-the-counter medications
- 3.2 Corn treatment option 2: Treatment at a medical clinic
- 4 What should I do if a corn makes walking painful?
- 5 Frequently asked questions about corns
- 5.1 Can corns spread to other people?
- 5.2 What is the difference between a corn and a callus?
- 5.3 How should I handle a corn that develops on my hand?
- 5.4 What happens if I leave a corn untreated?
- 6 For corn treatment in Tokyo, consult IC Clinic
What is a corn?
A corn is a skin condition that forms on the feet or hands, typically about 5 mm in diameter.
It most commonly develops on the feet of adults and, once it appears, tends to cause significant pain when walking.
Corns are caused by repeated friction or pressure on a specific area, which leads to a thickening of the skin (callus formation) with a hardened central core.
Because children’s skin is softer, corns are less likely to develop in younger individuals. If similar symptoms appear in a child, there is a good chance they may be viral warts rather than corns.
Why do corns develop on the feet? Causes explained
Corns are caused by external stimulation. Continuous friction or pressure on the skin causes the outer layer to thicken and harden.
For example, wearing shoes that do not fit properly or wearing high heels for extended periods, or walking in a way that places excessive load on one part of the foot, can make corns more likely to develop.
With corns, the skin does not simply harden on the surface — a firm central core forms deep within the skin, pressing on the underlying nerves.
As a result, many people experience significant pain even during normal walking.
How are corns removed and treated? Treatment options
There are two main approaches to treating corns.
- Treating at home with over-the-counter medications
- Receiving treatment at a medical clinic
Because corns will recur unless the central core deep within the skin is removed, it is advisable to consult a physician to help prevent recurrence.
Below, we explain both treatment approaches in detail.
Corn treatment option 1: Over-the-counter medications
For mild cases only, over-the-counter medications may be helpful for corns.
Over-the-counter products indicated for corns are available in three main forms:
- Ointment
- Liquid
- Medicated patch
Ointments and liquid preparations are applied directly to the cleansed affected area.
Medicated patches are left on for two to three days to soften the skin, after which the central core of the corn can be removed.
However, attempting to treat a corn at home carries the risk of introducing bacteria into the wound or failing to fully remove the core, leading to recurrence. In general, it is recommended to seek treatment from a medical professional.
Corn treatment option 2: Treatment at a medical clinic
Corns can be treated at a medical clinic.
At a clinic, the thickened layer of skin is carefully pared down and the central core is surgically removed.
Compared with home treatment, professional treatment at a clinic allows for care tailored to the individual’s condition and may carry a lower risk of recurrence.
If over-the-counter products are not providing relief, or if pain is severe, please consult a physician.
What should I do if a corn makes walking painful?
If a corn is causing pain when walking, you may try an over-the-counter product called Speel-Koh (salicylic acid plaster) to soften the hardened skin.
Once the skin has been softened by this product and the core within the skin has become less firm, discomfort may be reduced.
However, if the core is deeply embedded, it may take several days to soften, and this approach does not address the underlying cause.
If a corn is causing enough pain to make walking difficult, removal of the deep core is necessary, and we recommend consulting a physician as soon as possible.
Please note that some treatment methods may not be suitable if the skin has been softened beforehand, so we advise speaking with your doctor before using any such products.
Frequently asked questions about corns
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about corns.
Can corns spread to other people?
Corns do not spread from person to person.
Corns are not caused by a virus or bacteria — they develop due to external pressure or friction, which forms a hardened core within the skin.
Therefore, touching the affected area will not transmit the condition to another person.
What is the difference between a corn and a callus?
The differences between corns and calluses are summarised in the table below.
| Corn | Callus | |
|---|---|---|
| Symptoms | ・Skin hardens ・A central core forms deep within the skin ・Pain that can make walking difficult |
・Skin takes on a yellowish colour ・Skin thickens and becomes raised |
| Common locations | Sole of the foot | Wide range of areas, including the sole of the foot |
Calluses can develop in many different areas depending on a person’s habits and lifestyle, and unlike corns, they are often painless.
The article below provides a detailed explanation of the causes and symptoms of calluses.
It also covers how to treat calluses and the risks of leaving them untreated, so please feel free to refer to it.
What is the difference between a callus (Benchi) and a corn (Keigan)? Causes and treatment options explained
How should I handle a corn that develops on my hand?
If a corn develops on your hand, the treatment approach is generally the same as for the foot.
However, it is first important to confirm that what has formed on your hand is indeed a corn.
If it appears in an area that is frequently exposed to friction from a pencil or pen, it may be a corn, but it could also be a callus or a bacterial wart. In particular, if it develops on the back of the hand — an area that receives relatively little external pressure — a wart is a more likely possibility.
Treatment varies considerably depending on the specific skin condition, so it is important to consult a physician for a proper diagnosis first.
What happens if I leave a corn untreated?
Leaving a corn untreated may allow it to worsen over time.
The core of a corn can grow larger with continued pressure and the passage of time, pressing further on the surrounding nerves.
In addition, ongoing irritation of a corn can sometimes lead to a condition called bursitis (katsueikhouen), so caution is warranted.
Bursitis is a skin condition involving significant pain and redness with swelling, and in some cases the swelling can limit movement.
For corn treatment in Tokyo, consult IC Clinic
Corns are a skin condition that can develop in anyone as a result of external pressure or friction.
However, once they appear, the pain can sometimes make walking difficult. Home treatment with over-the-counter products carries the risk of introducing bacteria or allowing the condition to recur, so we recommend consulting a physician in the first instance.
IC Clinic aims to be a welcoming clinic where patients of all ages and backgrounds feel comfortable seeking advice.
Whatever your symptoms, we will discuss your concerns and suggest a treatment approach that puts your mind at ease. If you are experiencing any discomfort in the sole of your foot, please do not hesitate to reach out to IC Clinic.
Appointments for corns are available only at the dermatology outpatient department of IC Clinic Shinjuku.
