Callus & Clavus
Calluses & Corns
Hard skin is the skin's protective response to pressure. If you simply remove it without eliminating the cause, the problem returns within a few weeks.
How it develops
Pressure creates hard skin – every time
If an area of skin on the foot is subjected to constant pressure or friction, the epidermis thickens its horny layer. Initially this is a sensible response. Beyond a certain thickness, however, the hard skin itself becomes a source of pressure: it transmits the pressure inward, the tissue beneath becomes inflamed, and with a corn a hard core grows into the depths, pressing on nerve endings with every step.
This is why simple removal is not enough. Podiatric treatment always includes asking why pressure is occurring at exactly that spot – and what can be changed about it.
Types
What we distinguish
Callus
A broad, yellowish thickening on the heel, ball of the foot or outer edge. Initially painless, but with increasing thickness it becomes pressure-sensitive and prone to cracking.
Corn (Clavus)
A pinpoint area of hardened skin with a central core that extends into deeper skin layers and presses on nerve endings. Typically found on the top of a toe, the tip of a toe, or between the toes.
Fissures (Rhagades)
Deep cracks on the heel, usually associated with very dry, thick hard skin. They hurt when walking and provide an entry point for germs.
Soft corn (Clavus mollis)
Develops in the moist space between the toes, appears whitish and swollen, and is frequently mistaken for athlete's foot.
Causes
Common triggers
- Shoes that are too tight, too loose or too hard, and high heels
- Toe deformities such as hallux valgus, hammer toes and claw toes
- Splay, flat or valgus feet with altered pressure distribution
- Gait pattern and excess weight
- Dry skin and insufficient moisturising
- Seams, wrinkles in socks, or walking barefoot on hard floors
Treatment
What we do during your appointment
- Assessment of the extent, location and cause of the hard skin
- Gentle removal with scalpel and burr – precise, without injuring healthy skin
- Complete removal of the corn's central core
- Pressure relief through individually moulded silicone orthoses, padding or felt relief
- Moisturising aftercare and specific recommendations for use at home
- Advice on footwear, insoles and, where necessary, referral to an orthopaedic specialist
Important note
Steer clear of corn plasters
Most plasters and tinctures contain salicylic acid. It softens the horny layer – but not only at the desired spot, also all around it. On sensitive skin this can cause chemical burns and open wounds. For people with diabetes, circulatory disorders or nerve damage, such products are expressly unsuitable. Cutting hard skin at home with a plane, razor blade or scissors also regularly leads to injuries and infections.
Sensible options for home use instead include a mild file, a urea-based cream (usually 5–10%, or more for very dry skin), and shoes that leave enough room at the front.