Hard Skin, Callus & Corns Treatment in Islington
Hard skin builds where the foot takes pressure it was not designed to absorb. Removing it brings immediate relief, but the reason it formed matters just as much, otherwise it simply returns.
What to look for
- Small, round, raised bumps on the foot or between the toes
- Areas of thickened hard skin, often on the ball of the foot or the heel
- Dry, rough skin that catches on socks
- Tenderness when pressed or when walking
The difference between corns and callus
Callus is a broad, diffuse area of thickened skin that develops over a wider area of pressure. It is usually painless at first and becomes uncomfortable as it builds.
A corn is more concentrated. Pressure is focused into a small area and the thickening develops a firm central core that presses downwards into the tissue beneath, which is why corns tend to be sharply painful rather than just uncomfortable.
Soft corns form between the toes, where moisture keeps the skin macerated. Seed corns are small and often appear in clusters on the sole. Because a seed corn can look very like a verruca, it is worth having the lesion identified before treating it.
Treatment at the clinic
Your podiatrist removes the hard skin and enucleates the corn using a sterile scalpel. This is a skilled, precise procedure and it is not painful, because the tissue being removed has no nerve supply. Most people notice the difference immediately on standing.
Removal alone is only half the job. Your podiatrist will look at why pressure is concentrating where it is, which may involve footwear, foot shape, toe position or the way you load your foot when you walk, and will advise on padding, footwear changes or biomechanical assessment as appropriate. Where callus builds under the heel alongside heel pain, both are considered together.
Please do not treat these at home
Over-the-counter corn plasters generally contain salicylic acid, which does not distinguish between hard skin and healthy skin. Blades and files bought for home use carry a real risk of cutting too deep and introducing infection. If you have diabetes or reduced circulation or sensation in your feet, home treatment should be avoided entirely and you should be seen professionally.
Practitioners
Qualifications, registration numbers and clinical interests are set out on each team member’s profile.
Fees
A 30-minute podiatry appointment is £65, whether it is your first visit or a review, and a 15-minute nail trim is £40. Our other treatments are priced on the fees page.
Questions
Will my corn come back?
It will if the pressure causing it continues. That is why your podiatrist looks at footwear and foot mechanics rather than simply removing it.
How often do people come in?
Many patients with recurring hard skin attend every six to twelve weeks, though this varies considerably.
Is treatment painful?
No. Removing callus and corns is comfortable and most people find their foot feels significantly better straight away.
