What causes corns and calluses?

Lee’s Summit Podiatrist Dr. Joel Foster Explains the Causes of Corns and Calluses

Corns and calluses may seem like minor nuisances, but left untreated, they can lead to significant foot problems and interfere with your daily activities. With an office in Lee’s Summit, podiatrist Dr. Joel Foster treats patients throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area. If you think you might have a corn or callus, contact us today.

The Difference Between Corns and Calluses

While corns and calluses are often referred to interchangeably, these terms indicate two slightly different foot issues. A corn is a small, thick area of skin that forms on the toe or between the toes due to excessive friction and pressure. Calluses, on the other hand, are larger, broader areas of thickened skin that typically develop on the soles of the feet or the heel area.

Both corns and calluses are your body's natural defense mechanism against repeated friction and pressure. As the skin tries to protect itself, it thickens and hardens—leading to the formation of these rough, uncomfortable patches.

Ill-Fitting Shoes

We know you want to be fashionable, but please don’t sacrifice your feet in the name of style. Poorly fitting shoes can create friction and pressure points that lead to the formation of corns and calluses.

Wearing shoes that are too tight squeezes your toes together and puts excessive friction and pressure on certain areas of the feet.
Shoes that are too loose allow your feet to slide around, creating friction.
Shoes that lack proper arch support or cushioning fail to distribute your weight evenly, concentrating pressure on certain areas.

Foot Deformities

Structural deformities of the foot can alter how weight and pressure is distributed when walking or standing. This can increase your risk of developing corns and calluses. For example:

Bunions, where the big toe joint protrudes outward, put excessive pressure on the edge of the foot.
Hammer toes, where the toe is bent at an unnatural angle, cause friction and pressure on the top of the bent toe.
Flat foot or high arches change the overall mechanics of how weight is distributed, increasing friction and pressure on the soles of the feet.

High-Impact Activities

Any repetitive activity that pounds the feet into the ground creates friction and pressure that can lead to callus formation. For example:

Running subjects the heel and ball of the foot to intense, repeated impact forces.
Sports like basketball, tennis, or dancing that involve lots of pivoting, jumping, and sudden starts/stops concentrate friction and pressure on specific areas of the feet.
High-impact workouts like plyometrics, box jumps, or stair climbing can cause calluses to form on the balls of the feet due to the repetitive pounding and shearing forces.

Improper Foot Care

Sometimes, we see people in our office with corns and calluses that are simply the resolute of foot care practices. Here are some preventative tips we recommend:

Trimming your toenails straight across and leaving them a little longer helps prevent ingrowing nails that could lead to corns.
Using a moisturizer helps keep your skin supple and prevents excessive dryness and cracking that can evolve into calluses.
Wearing moisture-wicking socks and changing them frequently prevents bacterial buildup that could infect any thickened skin.

When to Schedule an Appointment With Lee’s Summit Podiatrist Dr. Joel Foster

While some corns and calluses can be managed at home, there are situations where seeking professional care is crucial. Here’s when we recommend making an appointment to see Dr. Foster:

You’re in severe pain. If your corns or calluses are causing significant pain or interfering with your ability to walk or perform daily activities, it's time to seek professional help.
You’ve got recurring or persistent corns and calluses. If your corns or calluses keep coming back despite at-home treatments, we can provide advanced treatment options.
You have diabetes or poor circulation. Individuals with diabetes or poor circulation should never attempt to remove corns or calluses on their own, as this can lead to infections or other complications.
You think you might have an underlying condition. If you suspect that your corns or calluses are related to foot deformities or other underlying conditions, we can provide an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Don’t let cost concerns keep you from seeking the care you need. As a direct-pay practice, we strive to make podiatry care more affordable and convenient by eliminating the administrative overhead that comes with processing insurance claims and putting decision-making power back in the patient’s hands. Our prices are posted online, we welcome patients with no insurance or high-deductible plans, and we’re happy to discuss payment options on a case-by-case basis.

Let Us Treat Your Feet at Our Lee's Summit Office

Dr. Joel Foster is trained in all aspects of foot and ankle care: skin, nails, muscles, bones, nerves, and wounds. So regardless of the problem that's keeping you from being your best—pain, sports injuries, mobility issues, skin infections, nail problems, and other conditions—there's an excellent chance we can help you. We pride ourselves on both high-quality care and a personalized treatment approach for all foot and ankle concerns. To schedule an appointment with our office, please call 816-246-4222 or use our online contact form.