Corns are hardened bumps of skin that can appear on your feet. You may get corns in response to friction from your shoes rubbing against an area of skin, being on your feet for prolonged periods of time, walking barefoot, or as a consequence of structural or biomechanical deformities in your feet. Corns get their name from their physical appearance, which is similar to a corn kernel. Much like a corn kernel, a foot corn is rough, yellowish, and bumpy.
Corns usually develop between or on top of the toes, on the sides of the feet, or on the soles of the feet. Corns that form between the toes are often softer than those that form elsewhere on the foot. They can be sensitive to the touch and cause pain or discomfort when you wear your shoes, walk, or stand.
Corns may or may not cause pain or discomfort. Often, home treatments like soaking the feet and applying moisturizer can soften the corn. However, you should see a podiatrist if home treatments are ineffective, you want to remove a corn, or if you have other medical conditions like diabetes which can impair healing and increase your risk of infection.
