Health Topics A-Z

What Are the Symptoms?

A hard corn is a compact patch of hard skin with a dense core, located on the top of a toe, the outside of the little toe, or the bottom of the foot.

A soft corn is a reddened, tender area of skin up to one-half inch in diameter. It has a thin, smooth center. It's found on the side of a toe.

A seed corn is a plug-like circle of dead skin on the heel or ball of the foot.

A callus is a patch of compact, dead skin up to an inch wide on the bottoms of the feet, the palms of the hands, or any area subject to friction.

A plantar callus is compact dead skin up to an inch wide on the bottom of the foot, with a distinctive white center.

A hereditary callus is an area of dead skin up to an inch wide occurring where there is no apparent friction or pressure, such as on the bottom of the foot or the palm of the hand. This condition runs in families and is usually seen in children.

Call Your Doctor If:

• You cut a corn or callus. The break in the skin invites infection.
• A corn discharges pus or clear fluid. This means it is infected or ulcerated. Both conditions require medical attention.
• You develop a corn and you suffer from diabetes, heart disease, or other circulatory problems. You run the risk of developing a infection.