Corns and calluses are areas of tough, thickened skin caused by pressure or friction. They may cause tenderness or pain under the skin. Calluses usually appear on the palms, fingertips, or soles of the feet.
Corns are smaller and form on the toes.
Calluses are often associated with certain types of work and sports. Tennis and baseball players develop calluses on their hands, manual laborers on their hands, joggers on the soles of their feet, and violinists and guitarists on their fingertips. For some activities it may be good to have calluses because they help keep you from getting blisters. If a corn or callus doesn t heal and is painful, your doctor may refer you to a foot doctor or orthopedic surgeon to remove the thickened skin with a scalpel or fit you with a special shoe insole. Corns and calluses usually go away in 1 to 4 weeks after ceasing the activity that caused the friction responsible for the callus or after problem shoes are discarded.