Corns on the Foot
Corns are small, concentrated areas of hard skin that develop due to repeated pressure or friction. Unlike broader areas of callus, corns tend to be more focused and can feel like a sharp point when walking or wearing shoes.
Related: Corns & Calluses overview
What is a corn?
A corn is a localised thickening of the skin that often develops a central core. This core can press into deeper tissue, which is why corns are often more painful than surrounding hard skin.
Common symptoms of corns
- Sharp or localised pain when walking
- A feeling like stepping on a small stone
- A small, thickened area of hard skin
- Tenderness when direct pressure is applied
Common causes of corns
- Tight or ill-fitting footwear
- Toe deformities such as hammer toes
- Pressure from bony areas of the foot
- Repeated friction during walking or standing
Treatment for corns
- Professional removal of hard skin
- Pressure relief with padding or footwear changes
- Assessment of foot mechanics
- Orthotics where needed
Corn treatment in Craigieburn and Gladstone Park
Medifoot Clinic treats patients with painful corns across Craigieburn, Gladstone Park, and surrounding Melbourne suburbs. Treatment focuses on relieving pain and reducing the pressure that causes corns to return.
Frequently Asked Questions About Corns
What does a corn feel like?
A corn often feels like a small hard point pressing into the skin, similar to stepping on a stone.
Why are corns painful?
Corns can be painful because they have a central core that presses into deeper tissue.
Can a corn go away on its own?
It may improve if pressure is removed, but many return if the cause is not addressed.
When should I see a podiatrist?
If the corn is painful, recurring, or affecting your walking, it is worth getting checked.
When to Seek Podiatry Care for a Corn
A corn is worth getting checked when it becomes painful, keeps returning, or affects how you walk.
- If walking becomes painful
- If it keeps coming back
- If footwear pressure makes it worse
- If you are unsure what it is
- If you have diabetes or poor circulation
Also see: Corn vs Callus
Also see: Painful Corn on Foot