How do I get rid of a corn on my toe?

Understanding and Treating Corns: A Podiatrist's Guide

What Is a Corn?

A corn is a small, concentrated area of layers of thickened dead  skin (hyperkeratosis)  caused by shoe pressure or friction, usually from footwear. Most commonly, they appear on:

• The knuckle of the toe (proximal interphalangeal joint)

• Between the toes from adjacent toe pressure

There are two main types:

1. Hard Corns:

Found on the top of the toe or knuckle. These appear dry and thick. This can make the underlying and surrounding soft tissue  inflamed. This makes the corn very sore and painful. Having a corn is like having a rock stuck to your toe.

2. Soft Corns:

Form between the toes, typically appearing white and rubbery due to moisture. This macerates the dead skin ( hyperkeratosis). Despite being “soft,” they can still cause sharp pain.

Corn vs. Callus

While both are formed from dead skin ( keratin)due to pressure, calluses are broader and more diffuse and normally on places other than the toes. Corns are smaller and more focal and look like a kernel of corn hence the name. Corns are usually only on the toes.

Being so small, corns create a lot of force on a small area. Ouch!!

 

What Causes a Corn?

Corns result from underlying bone deformities:

• Hard Corns: Often due to pressure and friction of  hammer toes rubbing against footwear.

• Soft Corns: From pressure between prominent toe joints in between the toes, frequently involving bone spurs.

So the ROOT of the problem is the boney deformity/hammer toe deformity or prominent toe joints, possibly even a bone spur on the toe. The biggest culprit in creating the corn is shoe gear. I used to say shoes keep me in business which is partially true. Wearing flip flops , sandals , or going in barfeet would allow corns to resolve. However, for many it is not practical nor healthy to do this

 

TREATMENT

So why can't I just easily get rid of my corn? You may ask. " Just cut it out doc!" is what my patients tell me. It's not that easy...

Unfortunately to resolve the corn, one must resolve the root cause of the problem, the boney deformity. This involves surgery.

Temporary Treatments:

1. Debridement

A podiatrist can carefully shave off the dead skin using a scalpel. Podiatrist call this debridement. Don't worry, it does not hurt because the dead skin layers have no nerve endings in it. But unless the bone deformity is corrected, it will return.

2. Padding

Using non-medicated corn pads (like this one below) can help offload pressure. I usually recommend securing them with paper tape to keep them in place.

• Avoid medicated corn pads containing salicylic acid, especially if you are diabetic, have neuropathy, or poor circulation in which case NEVER use medicated corn or callus pads. Salicylic acid eats away the skin and can lead to wounds or infections. I have seen diabetics get toe amputations from medicated corn pads.

 

Other great options:: Gel pads, fabric covered gel toe sleeves, all gel tubes   cushion the toe and reduce rubbing.

3. Urea Cream

Urea helps break down the thickened skin (keratolytic). I recommend 40% urea cream for my patients, applied at night under a bandage. One good option available online contains urea, tea tree oil, aloe, and chamomile: Urea Cream on Amazon

Note: Some urea creams also contain salicylic acid—avoid these if you have diabetes, neuropathy, or poor circulation.

4. Cortisone Injections

Occasionally, the tissue around and under the corn is inflamed. If this inflammation does not resolve with debridement and offloading, I will inject a little steroid in the area with a tiny needle. Steroid injecitons can be like magic and make the foot feel like new!

5. Proper Footwear

Wear shoes with a high, wide toe box and a stretchy upper. For example, some styles by Dr. Comfort are helpful, though I prefer even more vertical room in the toe box.

If  the toe still continues to rear it's ugly head repeatedly and my patient cannot undergo surgery, a simple solution, if no shoe will work, is to simply cut a cross or slit in the upper of the shoe to let the offedning toe protrude.

Definitive Treatment: Surgery

If corns are persistent and painful despite all the above care, correcting the underlying bone deformity is the only way to truly get rid of a corn .

Hard Corns from Hammer Toes

• Surgical options depend on the type of hammer toe (there are four types).

• I often perform a fusion of the knuckle joint to prevent recurrence.

• Other options include tendon transfers or toe implants, which have longer recovery times and higher costs.

  • Arthroplasty (removing the knuckle bone/ head of the proximal phalanx): Shorter recovery (~4 weeks), but higher recurrence risk.

  • Fusion: 6–8 weeks recovery. Not typically done on the baby toe.

Soft Corns Between Toes

• Treated with arthroplasty or exostectomy (shaving the bony prominence). 

• Recovery: ~2–4 weeks, with return to shoes often by week 2.

In Conclusion

Corns are a painful result of toe deformities and shoe pressure. Conservative care—debridement, padding, urea cream, footwear changes, and cortisone injections—can provide relief.

But if your corn keeps coming back and is affecting your daily life, talk to your podiatrist about whether surgical correction is the right path forward.

Want More Foot Tips?

📺 Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for more advice.

Disclaimer

This blog is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice and does not replace the need to consult a healthcare provider. Always talk to your doctor before starting any treatment.

As an amazon affiliate, I earn a small commission when you click on an amazon link in this post.

For full disclaimer details, please see our Medical Disclaimer.

Thanks for reading,

Dr. Melissa Gaffney