A corn is a buildup of dead skin with a hard center core that develops on or between your toes. It is your body’s protective response to repeated friction or pressure, typically caused by two toes rubbing together or a toe rubbing on your shoe. Corns on the tops of toes, or on the outer edge of the smallest or largest toe, form a hard crusty surface. Corns formed between toes are kept moist and soft by the protective area they grow in, and are known as soft corns.



A podiatrist can help you determine the cause of the corn so you can deal with the problem directly. Corns are most often caused by footwear that doesn’t fit properly, excessive use of high heels, toe deformities, or problems with your posture or gait that pressure areas of your feet.

Follow the podiatrist’s recommendations for corn management. These may include a change in footwear, padding to protect the area from friction or pressure, foot orthotics to change the pressure distribution on your feet, or surgical correction for foot or toe problems.



Remove a corn at home:

Soak your foot in comfortably hot water for 5 to 10 minutes to soften the corn.



Sand the corn gently using a pumice stone or another sanding object, like a skin file.



You may need to repeat the treatment several times before the corn is fully removed.



Get silicone foam wedges for corns on the toe(s). Specially-made silicone foam wedges will help relieve the pressure and friction between toes.



Use over-the-counter medications and pads to get rid of the corn. Follow package instructions carefully. Most corn removal products contain salicylic acid, which could irritate or burn your foot. Talk to your doctor about using antibiotics in conjunction with other methods. Antibiotic ointments are a common way to prevent infection, which is a common risk you run when treating corn at home.



Take action to prevent corns from returning. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.



Wear properly fitted, well-padded, shoes that have a wide toe box. Bring your shoes to a cobbler to have the toe box stretched in the area where you develop corns.



Choose thick socks to absorb pressure on the foot. Make sure the socks fit loosely and do not cause your shoe to be too snug. Also make sure that your socks don’t have seams that rub against any corns or places where you might get corns.



Washing your feet every day with soap, water, and a scrubbing brush. When your feet are dry, apply a foot cream (not just normal lotion) to rehydrate.



Go shoe-shopping later on in the day. Feet naturally swell as the day progresses. That means that shoes bought early in the day might not fit you later on in the day.



Change your socks daily and use a pumice regularly. When using a pumice stone, be careful not to scrape away dead skin too forcefully.