Corns and Calluses

Experience compassionate, comprehensive podiatric treatment from our
board-certified physicians

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(724) 482-4192

30+ Years of Excellence

Serving the Butler area with exceptional podiatric care since 1994

Expert Physicians

Four board-certified podiatrists with extensive surgical experience

Emergency Care

Serving the Butler area with exceptional podiatric care since 1994

Corns and calluses are the body's natural response to repeated friction or pressure, and while they are extremely common, they can become painful, unsightly, and even dangerous when not properly managed. Both are areas of thickened skin that develop as a protective mechanism, but they have distinct features. Calluses are larger, flatter areas of toughened skin, typically appearing on the soles of the feet, especially under the heel or ball of the foot. Corns are smaller, more localized, often have a hard center surrounded by inflamed skin, and most commonly form on the tops or sides of the toes. At Family Foot Care in Butler, PA, our podiatrists provide safe, effective treatment for these conditions and address the underlying causes that allow them to return.

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The most common cause of corns and calluses is mechanical irritation. Tight or poorly fitting shoes squeeze the toes and rub against bony areas, while high heels concentrate weight on the ball of the foot. Foot deformities such as bunions, hammertoes, and bone spurs create areas of high pressure where thickened skin readily forms. Abnormal walking patterns, flat feet, and high arches all change how weight is distributed and contribute to the problem. Even thin socks or going barefoot in certain situations can play a role.

While many people try to manage corns and calluses at home, this approach carries real risks. Over-the-counter medicated pads contain salicylic acid that can damage healthy skin, and razors and pumice stones can easily cause cuts or infections, particularly dangerous for patients with diabetes, neuropathy, or poor circulation. Many patients arrive at our office with infections or open sores that started as a do-it-yourself attempt to remove a corn.

In our office, treatment is quick, painless, and dramatically more effective. We use sterile instruments to carefully reduce the thickened skin, providing immediate relief. We then look for and address the underlying cause, which is the key to keeping the problem from coming back. This may involve prescribing custom orthotics that redistribute pressure, recommending specific footwear adjustments, providing padding or toe sleeves, or treating an underlying deformity such as a hammertoe or bunion. For patients with persistent or recurrent lesions, we may discuss minor surgical correction of the bony prominence creating the pressure.

For patients with diabetes, we strongly advise against any home treatment, since even minor breaks in the skin can lead to serious complications. Regular podiatric care prevents corns and calluses from becoming wounds. Whether your concern is comfort, appearance, or long-term foot health, professional treatment is the safer and more lasting solution.