Our Services / Corns

If you have a foot-related health problem like arthritis, bunions, or a hammertoe, you’re also more likely to experience corns. At NYC Footcare PC, foot and ankle surgeons Paul Drucker, DPM, Jarret Drucker, DPM, AACFAS, and the team, provide safe and effective treatments to remove corns. The practice has multiple offices on the Upper East Side at 60th and 70th Street in New York City, with additional offices in Jamaica, Queens, and Plainview, New York, and a surgical center in Fair Lawn, New Jersey. Schedule your appointment by calling the nearest office or booking online today.

What are corns?

A corn is a buildup of hard, thickened skin that forms on the toes, heels, or soles of your feet. Corns occur due to excess friction. If your skin regularly rubs up against your shoes or socks, it’s only a matter of time before a corn develops.

Corns typically aren’t something to worry about, but if they cause you pain or interfere with your quality of life, contact the team at NYC Footcare PC right away.

What are the types of corns?

At NYC Footcare PC, the team treats several types of corns, including:

Hard corns

A hard corn is a small popcorn kernel-shaped bump that forms on the top of your toes. Hard corns look similar to blisters, but there’s no fluid inside the bulge.

Soft corns

Soft corns are different from hard corns in that they form between your toes. They’re much squishier than hard corns and appear white or gray.

Seed corns

Seed corns are smaller than hard corns and soft corns. They form on the bottoms of your feet, typically near the sole.

Who is at risk of experiencing corns?

Anyone can experience corns, but several factors may increase your risk, including:

• Having a condition that affects the alignment of the bones in your feet
• Walking around without socks
• Wearing narrow shoes 
• Smoking cigarettes

You’re also more likely to experience corns if you run or play sports that require frequent pivots or changes in direction.

How are corns diagnosed?

The team at NYC Footcare PC diagnoses corns during an in-office visit.

Usually, visual observation is enough to make a diagnosis, but your provider might also ask questions about your job, how often you exercise, and the amount of walking or standing you do.

If the corn is on your foot or between your toes, your provider might also have you walk around the exam room so that they can observe your gait and posture. 

How are corns treated?

At NYC Footcare PC, the team treats corns using conservative, noninvasive methods. Often, removing the excess skin is enough to provide lasting relief. To do that, the team recommends soaking your feet in warm water for 10-15 minutes and then using a pumice stone or an emery board to file down the dead skin carefully. 

If you have more than one corn and they interfere with your mobility, the team might recommend:

• Wrapping your corn with padding
• Wearing shoes that have plenty of room for your toes
• Keeping your toenails trimmed
• Applying ice to reduce pain and swelling

If you have diabetes or another health problem that affects your circulation, contact the team immediately. These issues increase your risk of infection and other more serious issues.

To explore the various treatment options for corns, make an appointment at NYC Footcare PC by calling the nearest office or booking online today.