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Corns

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A clavus (corn) is an area of thick, hardened, hyperkeratotic tissue usually found where your toes rub together. The inner core of a corn may be soft or hard. A soft corn often shows up between the toes, while a hard corn usually forms on the bony part of, most commonly, the little toe.

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Causes of Corns

  • Friction or pressure on the feet, often when toes rub against the inside of your shoe
  • Hammertoes
  • Wearing ill-fitting shoes
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Types of Corns

  • Hard corns have firm and thick surfaces
  • Soft corns look like open sores
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Treatments for Corns

At New Orleans Podiatry, we do not treat corns by shaving or debriding them — this is not a service we perform. Instead, we focus on correcting the underlying structural cause, which is often the true source of pressure and pain.

Common bone deformities that create corns include:

  • Hammertoes
  • Mallet toes
  • Claw toes
  • Bony prominences/bone spurs
  • Deviated or rotated toes

If you are interested in corrective surgery to address these issues at their root, a surgical option may be the solution to providing long-term relief and preventing recurrence.

Think It’s a Corn? Maybe Not.

Corns are often confused with several other skin conditions. A proper diagnosis is essential because each requires a different treatment approach. Conditions that may look similar include:

  • Calluses – Thickened skin from pressure or friction; usually broader and less painful than corns.
  • Porokeratosis (PPK / IPK) – Deep, painful plugs often on weight-bearing areas; can mimic corns but are treated differently.
  • Plantar Warts – Caused by HPV; may have black dots (capillaries), are tender with side-to-side pressure, and often disrupt skin lines.
  • Intractable Plantar Keratosis (IPK) – Very focused, painful lesion under a metatarsal head; often tied to bone alignment.
  • Callus Under a Metatarsal Head – Thick skin caused by high pressure from biomechanics or deformity.
  • Foreign Body Reaction – Tissue build-up from a splinter or embedded object.
  • Fungal Infection – Can cause thickened, flaky, or rough skin that may mimic callusing.

If you’re unsure, we can help determine what it is and create a treatment plan that addresses the root cause of your condition.

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Your Journey Begins Here

Step Into a Higher Standard of Foot Health x Whole-Person Care

This is more than an appointment. It’s the start of a personalized journey toward relief, clarity, and care that feels effortless. We take the frustration out of medicine—supporting our patients through every step, from managing prescriptions to providing direct access to our team without the stress.

At New Orleans Podiatry, we deliver concierge-level care that extends well beyond the clinic. Whether it's managing your appointments, clarifying your care-plan, or simply seeking advice from your doctor, your team is in your pocket daily via text.

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