It differs from acornwhich is an inward growth of hardened skin because of weight-bearing pressure on the foot.
While both are considered calluses, the way they are treated and the symptoms they cause can differ.
Calluses can heal on their own if the irritation is removed.
Carlos Ruben Hernandez Blasco / Getty Images
They can also be reduced withsalicylic acid, a pumice stone, or in-office removal by apodiatrist.
Carlos Ruben Hernandez Blasco / Getty Images
What Does a Callus Look Like?
A callus can form anywhere on the body exposed to repeated friction, grinding, rubbing, or pressure.
While both are calluses, the way that they form and the symptoms they cause are distinct.
Calluses and corns are due to the piling up and thickening of skin cells as a form of defense.
When mechanical stress is applied to these projections, the body will respond by producing morekeratin.
Keratin is a structural protein that makes up the skin, hair, and nails.
Calluses form when excessive amounts are produced (referred to ashyperkeratosis) to protect vulnerable sites.
The same will happen to keratin-producing cells, calledkeratinocytes, that inhabit the stratum granulosum.
Treatment
Many calluses will clear once the chronic friction or pressure is removed.
But, this isn’t always possible because of jobs or the sports you participate in.
In such cases, there are home remedies and over-the-counter (OTC) treatments that can help.
Surgery and Specialist Procedures
Calluses or corns that cause pain warrant treatment from a podiatrist.
The removal may be delivered in one visit or over several.
Because recurrence is common, you may need to visit the podiatrist regularly to keep things under control.
It commonly affects athletes who run, people who wear high heels, or manual laborers who grip tools.
Home treatments involve skin softeners, topical salicylic acid, or manual debridement with a pumice stone.
A podiatrist can shave down larger calluses or perform surgery to remove a corn or keratin plug.
Skin moisturizers, padded gloves, and properly fitting shoes can help prevent calluses.
American Podiatric Medical Association.Corns and calluses.
Panesar K.Corns and calluses: overview of common keratotic lesions.US Pharm.2014;39(6):47-50.
American Diabetes Association.Diabetes foot complications.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Pachyonychia congenita.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to treat corns and calluses.
