We have moved to a new site

We are now located 100 yards up the road next to Pleck Health Centre

14 Oxford Street,
Walsall,
West Midlands,
WS2 9HY
Ok
pleck pharmacy logo
We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience. By clicking 'I Understand and Accept', you consent to our use of cookies.
I understand and accept
No, I don't want to use cookies
My Account
Control Panel
An example toast message
Do Something
Login
en
en
pleck pharmacy logopleck pharmacy logo
Menu
en
en
Change Language
Login
My Account
Control Panel
Home
Pharmacy First
Pharmacy Services
Contact Us
Health Advice
Order
Log Out
Login
Login
en
en
Do Something
Login
en
en
pleck pharmacy logopleck pharmacy logo
Menu
en
en
Change Language
Login
My Account
Control Panel
Home
Pharmacy First
Pharmacy Services
Contact Us
Health Advice
Order
Log Out
Login
Login
en
en
Corns and calluses

Corns and calluses are hard or thick areas of skin that can be painful. They're not often serious. There are things you can try to ease them yourself.

Check if you have a corn or callus

You mostly get corns and calluses on your feet, toes and hands.

A corn on the toe of a person with white skin. There's a small, round, pink lump of hard skin with dry skin in the middle.

Corns are small lumps of hard skin.

Calluses on the feet of a person with white skin. There are rough, yellow patches of skin on the balls of both feet.

Calluses are larger patches of rough, thick skin.

What you can do about corns and calluses

If you have diabetes, heart disease or problems with your circulation, do not try to treat corns and calluses yourself.

These conditions can make foot problems more serious. See a GP or foot specialist.

Corns and calluses are not often serious.

There are some things you can try to get rid of them yourself and stop them coming back.

Do

  • wear thick, cushioned socks

  • wear wide, comfortable shoes with a low heel and soft sole that do not rub

  • use soft insoles or heel pads in your shoes

  • soak corns and calluses in warm water to soften them

  • regularly use a pumice stone or foot file to remove hard skin

  • moisturise to help keep skin soft

Don't

  • do not try to cut off corns or calluses yourself

  • do not walk long distances or stand for long periods

  • do not wear high heels or tight pointy shoes

  • do not go barefoot

A pharmacist can help with corns and calluses

You can ask a pharmacist about:

  • heel pads and insoles
  • products to treat corns and calluses
  • different types of pain relief

See a GP if:

You think you have a corn or callus and:

  • you have diabetes
  • you have heart disease or problems with your circulation
  • it bleeds, or has any pus or discharge
  • it has not improved after treating it at home for 3 weeks
  • the pain is severe or stopping you doing your normal activities
What we mean by severe pain
Severe pain:
  • always there and so bad it's hard to think or talk
  • you cannot sleep
  • it's very hard to move, get out of bed, go to the bathroom, wash or dress
Moderate pain:
  • always there
  • makes it hard to concentrate or sleep
  • you can manage to get up, wash or dress
Mild pain:
  • comes and goes
  • is annoying but does not stop you doing daily activities
Treatment for corns and calluses

A GP can check if you have a corn or callus.

They might:

  • give you antibiotics if a corn or callus is infected
  • refer you to a foot specialist if they think you need further treatment

Treatment from a foot specialist

A foot specialist, such as a podiatrist, may be able to offer treatments such as:

  • cutting away the corn or callus
  • patches to help soften the hard skin so it can be removed
  • specially made soft pads or insoles to take pressure off the painful area of your foot

Referral to a podiatrist on the NHS may not be available to everyone and waiting times can be long. You can pay to see a podiatrist privately.

Self-refer to a podiatrist

If you have corns or calluses, you might be able to refer yourself directly to a podiatrist without seeing a GP.

To find out if there are any services in your area:

  • ask the reception staff at your GP surgery
  • check your GP surgery's website
  • contact your integrated care board (ICB) – find your local ICB
  • search online for NHS podiatrists near you
Common causes of corns or calluses

Corns and calluses are caused by pressure or rubbing of the skin on the hands or feet.

For example, from:

  • wearing high heels, uncomfortable shoes or shoes that are the wrong size
  • not wearing socks with shoes
  • lifting heavy weights
  • playing a musical instrument
Last Reviewed
08 December 2023
NHS websiteNHS website
pleck pharmacy logo
14 Oxford Street,
Walsall,
West Midlands,
WS2 9HY
Company Registration: 07893857
Premises GPhC Number: 1038515
Superintendant: Bilal Shah (2061734)
Menu
Pharmacy First
All Pharmacy First Services
Earache
Impetigo
Insect Bite
Shingles
Sinusitis
Sore Throat
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
Home
Pharmacy Services
Contact Us
Order Prescriptions
Health Advice
Useful Links
NHS Choices
Patient UK
Fit For Travel
Opening Hours
Store Hours Unavailable
No store selected for opening hours
Loading Open Hours...
Pleck Pharmacy © 2024
Privacy Policy