Corns and calluses are hard or thick areas of skin that can be painful. They're not often serious. There are things you can try to ease them yourself.

Check if you have a corn or callus

You mostly get corns and calluses on your feet, toes and hands.

A corn on the toe of a person with white skin. There's a small, round, pink lump of hard skin with dry skin in the middle. — Corns are small lumps of hard skin.

Calluses on the feet of a person with white skin. There are rough, yellow patches of skin on the balls of both feet. — Calluses are larger patches of rough, thick skin.

A corn on the toe of a person with dark brown skin. There's a small, round, skin-coloured lump with darker skin around it. — Corns and calluses can also be tender or painful.

What you can do about corns and calluses

If you have diabetes, heart disease or problems with your circulation, do not try to treat corns and calluses yourself.

These conditions can make foot problems more serious. See a GP or foot specialist.

Corns and calluses are not often serious.

There are some things you can try to get rid of them yourself and stop them coming back.

Do

wear thick, cushioned socks
wear wide, comfortable shoes with a low heel and soft sole that do not rub
use soft insoles or heel pads in your shoes
soak corns and calluses in warm water to soften them
regularly use a pumice stone or foot file to remove hard skin
moisturise to help keep skin soft

Don’t

do not try to cut off corns or calluses yourself
do not walk long distances or stand for long periods
do not wear high heels or tight pointy shoes
do not go barefoot

A pharmacist can help with corns and calluses

You can ask a pharmacist about:

heel pads and insoles
products to treat corns and calluses
different types of pain relief

Find a pharmacy

Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:

You think you have a corn or callus and:

you have diabetes
you have heart disease or problems with your circulation
it bleeds, or has any pus or discharge
it has not improved after treating it at home for 3 weeks
the pain is severe or stopping you doing your normal activities

What we mean by severe pain

Severe pain:: always there and so bad it's hard to think or talk
you cannot sleep
it's very hard to move, get out of bed, go to the bathroom, wash or dress
Moderate pain:: always there
makes it hard to concentrate or sleep
you can manage to get up, wash or dress
Mild pain:: comes and goes
is annoying but does not stop you doing daily activities

Treatment for corns and calluses

A GP can check if you have a corn or callus.

They might:

give you antibiotics if a corn or callus is infected
refer you to a foot specialist if they think you need further treatment

Treatment from a foot specialist

A foot specialist, such as a podiatrist, may be able to offer treatments such as:

cutting away the corn or callus
patches to help soften the hard skin so it can be removed
specially made soft pads or insoles to take pressure off the painful area of your foot

Referral to a podiatrist on the NHS may not be available to everyone and waiting times can be long. You can pay to see a podiatrist privately.

Find a podiatrist

Self-refer to a podiatrist

If you have corns or calluses, you might be able to refer yourself directly to a podiatrist without seeing a GP.

To find out if there are any services in your area:

ask the reception staff at your GP surgery
check your GP surgery's website
contact your integrated care board (ICB) – find your local ICB
search online for NHS podiatrists near you

Common causes of corns or calluses

Corns and calluses are caused by pressure or rubbing of the skin on the hands or feet.

For example, from:

wearing high heels, uncomfortable shoes or shoes that are the wrong size
not wearing socks with shoes
lifting heavy weights
playing a musical instrument

Page last reviewed: 24 August 2022
Next review due: 24 August 2025