As we transition from sandals to shoes and then to boots, many people start to notice that their feet don’t look as healthy as they did in the summer. Switching to fall and winter footwear can sometimes significantly impact the health of our feet. Our certified master pedicurists frequently receive inquiries about whether a patch of skin is a callus or not. Often, the answer is yes, it is a callus, but sometimes it’s a corn that is developing. So before you come in for a Clinical Medical Pedicure (CMP), here’s how to tell the difference between a callus and a corn.
Callus
Almost everyone will develop a callus at some point. A callus is a hard, dry, and tough patch of skin that forms due to repetitive friction. You might develop calluses along the sides of your fingers from using pencils and pens or on the tops of your palms from tools or barbells. The most common areas for calluses are along the big and pinky toes, the outside of the foot, and the heel. Generally, calluses shouldn’t be painful unless they become so large that they make your shoes feel tight. If that’s the case, our Clinical Medical Pedicure (CMP) will safely reduce the callus to a healthy level. We don’t want to remove all the callus, as taking too much off can lead to discomfort and create a cycle of thicker calluses. During our Foot Fix pedicure, we’ll also smooth out any callus you have, focusing on maintaining overall foot health.
Corns
Some people may never develop corns. Corns are similar to calluses in that they are patches of dry and tough skin, but they differ in that corns are more pinpointed areas of tough skin that cause pain when pressure is applied. This is due to their hard and deeper center compared to calluses. Corns are typically found on the tops of the toes or the sides of the feet. Many people start to notice corns as they switch to fall and winter shoes, which are often closed-toe or tighter than summer sandals. With our CMP pedicures, the master pedicurist can safely remove the core of the corn and smooth down any rough skin around it, allowing your feet to be pain-free!
Our master pedicurists will also take the time to answer any questions you may have about caring for your feet and preventing corns and calluses from returning quickly. They can help address any cracking in your heels caused by the colder weather, ensuring you put your best foot forward this winter season!