Corns and Calluses

Description

A corn is a thickening (bump) of the outer skin layer, usually over bony areas, such as toe joints. There are two types of corns: hard corns and soft corns. A callus is a painless thickening of skin caused by repeated pressure or irritation. Corns tend to affect toe joints and the skin between the toes, but a callus can appear on any part of the body that endures repeated pressure or irritation, especially hands, feet, or knees.

Common signs and symptoms

Corn:

• A small, tender, and painful raised bump on the side or over the joint of a toe

• Usually 3 to 10 mm in diameter with a hard center

• Hard corns most commonly occur along the outer aspect of the fifth toe at the joint.

• Soft corns appear most often on toes between bony prominences (bumps), usually between the fourth and fifth toes or between the second and third toes.

Callus:

• A rough, thickened area of skin that appears after repeated pressure or irritation

Causes

Corns and calluses form to protect an area of skin from injury caused by repeated irritation (rubbing or squeezing). Pressure causes cells in the irritated area to grow at a faster rate, leading to overgrowth. Soft corns tend to develop between toes, where moisture exists, often as the result of prolonged shoe wear with perspiration.

Factors that increase risk

• Shoes that fit poorly, particularly shoes that are too tight

• Occupations or sports that involve pressure on the hands (racquetball, baseball) or sudden stops on hard surfaces (track, tennis)

• Sports that require the athlete to wear shoes, clothing, or protective gear that causes the production of heat and friction

< div class='tao-gold-member'>

Only gold members can continue reading. Log In or Register to continue

Share this:

• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Related

Related posts:

Birth Control and Sports Exercise-Induced Bronchospasm Glucosamine Effort Thrombosis Proximal Tibiofibular Joint Dislocation Subtalar Dislocation

Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel

Join

Full access? Get Clinical Tree