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General Medicine

Corns and Calluses

Sandra N New, DNP and Jon S Parham, DO, MPH, FAAFP Reviewed 04/2024
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Corns and calluses are pressure-generated hyperkeratotic skin conditions of the feet or hands.

  • A callus (tyloma [Greek]) is a diffuse area of hyperkeratosis, usually without a distinc...

DIAGNOSIS

  • Visual examination of entire foot and focal lesion(s)

  • History of activities that incite focal pain

  • Examination of footwear typically worn for excessive wear areas

HISTORY

  • Engage patient in ident...

TREATMENT

Local debridement of hyperkeratosis and focal pressure/friction alleviation are key steps 

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Management can be done in home:

    • Soak affected skin areas in warm water

    • Using pumice st...

ONGOING CARE

Periodic assessment of feet for signs of corns or callouses, hyperkeratosis, and general skin/nail health by patient or professional 

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Daily foot skin care with ove...

REFERENCES

1
Freeman DB. Corns and calluses resulting from mechanical hyperkeratosis. Am Fam Physician. 2002;65:2277-80.
2
Bailey J. Nail and foot procedures. Prim Care - Clin Office Pract. 2022;49:63-83...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons: http://www.acfas.org/

  • Theodosat  A. Skin diseases of the lowe...

CODES

ICD10

L84 Corns and callosities 

SNOMED

  • 201038005 Corn - lesion (disorder)

  • 201040000 Callosity (disorder)

  • 201037000 Corns and callus

  • 394999002 Callosity on hand (disorder)

  • 403172005 Plantar callosity (...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Most therapy for corns and calluses can be done as self-care in the home using debridement, then padding over the affected area, and friction/pressure source-correction of the shoe.

  • Cry...

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Related Images
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<bold><italic>Figure 14.72.</bold></bold><bold>A.</bold> Callus. <bold>B.</bold> Corn.

 

<bold><italic>Figure 14.72.</bold></bold><bold>A.</bold> Callus. <bold>B.</bold> Corn.

 

<bold><italic>Figure 14.72.</bold></bold><bold>A.</bold> Callus. <bold>B.</bold> Corn.

 

<bold><italic>Figure 14.72.</bold></bold><bold>A.</bold> Callus. <bold>B.</bold> Corn.

 
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