Corns & Calluses
Hardened patches of skin on your feet are your body's response to friction and pressure. They're preventable, treatable, and — when a podiatrist addresses the underlying cause — they don't have to keep coming back.
Symptoms
- Thickened, hardened patch of skin on the sole of the foot (callus)
- Small, round, painful bump on the top or side of a toe (corn)
- Skin that feels rough or waxy to the touch
- Pain or tenderness when direct pressure is applied
- Discomfort or burning when wearing shoes
Who Gets It
Calluses form on the bottom of the foot where weight-bearing pressure is highest — typically broad and flat. Corns form on the tops or sides of toes where shoes rub, typically smaller and round. Anyone wearing ill-fitting shoes, walking long distances, or carrying extra weight can develop them. Athletes running high mileage often develop protective calluses that occasionally need management.
Occupational calluses are common among people who spend long shifts on hard floors — healthcare workers, teachers, retail staff. For runners and hikers tackling Austin's trails, callus buildup can shift from useful protection to a painful problem. Dr. Wokasien addresses the footwear and biomechanical factors, not just the skin itself.
Treatment
Dr. Wokasien safely removes the buildup in-office, then addresses what caused it:
- Professional debridement — safe removal of hardened skin without risk to underlying tissue
- Footwear assessment — often the shoe is the primary culprit
- Custom orthotics to redistribute pressure away from problem areas
- Padding to protect vulnerable spots between visits
Diabetic patients should never self-treat corns or calluses. Reduced sensation means you can injure yourself without feeling it. Professional care is safer.
When to Call
Call (512) 250-0444. This is a quick visit with lasting results when the root cause is addressed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I shave or cut a corn at home?
Not safely. Cutting into thickened skin with razors or nail implements risks breaking the skin and causing infection. Over-the-counter medicated pads can help mild calluses on healthy feet but shouldn't be used by diabetic patients. For anything that's painful or persistent, professional treatment is the right call.
Why do my calluses keep coming back after I remove them?
Because the cause — friction, pressure, or biomechanical force — hasn't changed. Removing the callus without addressing the underlying footwear, gait, or foot structure means it will return in the same place. Dr. Wokasien identifies the source of the pressure and addresses that, not just the skin.
What's the difference between a corn and a wart?
Both can look similar — hardened bumps on the foot. Warts often have tiny dark dots (clotted blood vessels) when you look closely, and they're contagious. Corns are caused by mechanical pressure, not a virus. The treatments are completely different. If you're not certain which you have, Dr. Wokasien can tell you definitively.
Should a diabetic patient worry about calluses?
Yes, more than the average patient. Calluses over pressure points can mask ulcer formation beneath them. And self-treating with cutting tools risks a wound that doesn't heal well. Diabetic patients should have calluses managed professionally — it's a routine part of diabetic foot care.
Are custom orthotics worth it for corns and calluses?
If the root cause is an abnormal pressure distribution in your gait, yes. Orthotics redistribute weight away from the problem area, which reduces callus formation at the source. For patients who develop the same calluses repeatedly despite proper footwear, custom orthotics often break the cycle.
My corn is between two toes. Is that different from a regular corn?
Soft corns between toes are caused by two toes pressing against each other — moisture makes them soft rather than hard. They can be quite painful and tend to develop in people with hammertoes or toes that overlap. Treatment addresses both the corn and the toe position creating the friction.
How long does professional treatment last?
A debridement visit provides immediate relief. How long it lasts depends on whether the underlying cause is addressed. With proper footwear changes or orthotics, many patients go months without the problem recurring. Without those changes, calluses typically return in weeks.