Corns & Calluses
Uncomfortable, hardened, or tender skin on your feet?
If you're noticing rough patches of skin or sharp, localised tenderness when you walk, you may be dealing with corns or calluses. These common skin conditions develop when your feet experience repeated pressure or friction, making standing, walking, and wearing your favourite shoes uncomfortable.
The good news is that you don't have to live with the discomfort. Gentle professional care can provide immediate relief and help reduce these hardened areas from returning.
Our experienced podiatrists will safely reduce your corns and calluses, identify the underlying cause, and guide you toward smoother, more comfortable feet.
Book an appointment today and take the first step towards more comfortable feet
Does This Sound Familiar?
You may be dealing with corns or calluses if you notice:
Localised Tenderness: A small, hard point of skin that feels like walking on a sharp pebble.
Rough, Thickened Patches: Broader areas of tough, yellowed, or hardened skin across the heel or ball of your foot.
Shoe Irritation: Easing of discomfort when barefoot, but increased aching or burning when wearing fitted footwear.
Dry or Flaking Texture: Skin that feels rough to the touch and regularly cracks or builds up despite treatment at home.
Not all thickened skin on the foot is a corn or callus. An accurate assessment by a podiatrist ensures you receive the correct treatment for your specific skin concern.
If you have diabetes, poor circulation, or neuropathy, never attempt to cut or treat corns and calluses yourself at home, as this significantly increases the risk of infection. Professional podiatry care is strongly recommended.
What are Corns & Calluses?
Corns and calluses are your body's natural defence mechanism. When an area of skin is subjected to continuous friction or pressure, from tight footwear or foot mechanics, the body builds layers of dead skin to protect the deeper tissue.
Key Factors:
Poorly Fitting Footwear: Narrow toe boxes, high heels, or unsupportive shoes that rub against toes or squeeze the forefoot.
Foot Biomechanics: Bony prominences, high arches, or flat feet that create uneven pressure distribution as you walk.
Prolonged Standing or Impact: Extended time on your feet on hard surfaces during work, exercise, or daily activities.
Reduced Natural Cushioning: Natural thinning of the protective fat pad on the bottom of the foot as we age.
With gentle, professional removal and small adjustments to offload pressure, most corns and calluses can be managed quickly and comfortably.
Your Treatment Journey
Assessment
We’ll take the time to examine your feet, discuss your symptoms, review your footwear, and understand your daily routine.
Diagnosis
Our podiatrists will identify whether you have corns, calluses, or another skin condition, pin-pointing the exact cause of the pressure.
Treatment Plan
We will explain your treatment options clearly and recommend an approach based on your symptoms. Including immediate relief.
Treatment Options for Corns & Calluses
Managing corns and calluses involves immediate relief, paired with long term prevention. Depending on your symptoms and lifestyle, treatment may include:
Professional Debridement: Gentle, painless reduction of thickened skin and removal of corns using specialised equipment for instant comfort.
Pressure Offloading & Cushioning: Strategic padding or custom orthotics designed to redistribute weight away from high pressure areas.
Footwear Guidance: Practical advice on choosing shoes that accommodate your unique foot shape and eliminate unnecessary friction.
Targeted Skin & Home Care: Recommendations for specialised moisturising creams (such as urea-based emollients) to keep the skin hydrated and soft.
Our goal is to deliver immediate, painless relief while giving you practical, long-term solutions to keep your skin smooth and healthy.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Corns are small, localized, deep areas of thickened skin with a hard center (core) that usually form on toes or pressure points. Calluses are larger, flatter patches of thickened skin that typically cover broader areas like the heel or ball of the foot.
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No. The thickened skin being removed consists of dead skin cells that contain no nerves. Most patients report feeling immediate relief as the pressure is removed.
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Because corns and calluses form due to pressure and friction, they can return if the underlying cause (such as tight shoes or foot mechanics) isn't addressed. We provide tailored advice and offloading strategies to help prevent them from recurring.
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We generally advise against medicated corn plasters, especially for individuals with diabetes or poor circulation. These plasters contain acid that can break down healthy surrounding skin and lead to painful sores or infections.
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Custom orthotics help redistribute pressure evenly across the bottom of your foot. By correcting biomechanical imbalances and supporting high-pressure areas, they can significantly reduce the friction that causes corns and calluses to form in the first place.
Ready to Feel More Comfortable on Your Feet?
If corns or calluses are making walking uncomfortable or limiting your day, our caring team is here to help. We’ll gently treat the area, explain your options clearly, and create a practical plan to keep your feet feeling great.
Book an appointment today and let us help you take the first step towards more comfortable feet.