Therapeutic pedicure in Coimbra
Corns and calluses in Coimbra
Hyperkeratosis and helomas
Debridement takes the pain away the same day. What stops the corn coming back is understanding where the pressure comes from — and that is what the appointment assesses.
What it is
Calluses and corns are thickenings of the skin (hyperkeratosis) that the foot creates to defend itself against repeated pressure or friction. They are a normal, protective response; they become a problem when they grow too much and start to hurt.
A callus is a broad, diffuse plaque of hardened skin, usually on the sole under the ball of the foot or on the heel. A corn (heloma) is smaller and round, with a central core that pushes into the skin and hurts like a stone in the shoe. There are hard corns, on the top and tips of the toes, and soft corns, between the toes, where sweat keeps them white and soft.
Signs and symptoms
- An area of thick, yellowish or greyish, dry skin, sometimes with cracks.
- Pain when standing or wearing shoes that eases when you take them off.
- A “stone in the shoe” feeling at one precise spot on the sole or a toe.
- A whitish, soft lesion between two toes, painful when the toes are pressed together.
- Unlike a plantar wart, a corn keeps the skin lines and has no black dots.
Most common causes
- Unsuitable footwear: tight, narrow-toed, thin-soled or high-heeled shoes that concentrate load on the forefoot.
- Foot and toe shape: claw or hammer toes, bunions (hallux valgus), high or flat arches, which create abnormal pressure points.
- The way you walk and load the foot, or one leg slightly shorter than the other.
- Dry skin and loss of the fat pad under the sole with age.
- Long hours standing, sport or walking in the wrong shoes.
- Frequently walking barefoot on hard surfaces.
How it is treated
At the appointment the excess skin is removed with a scalpel and a micromotor, precisely and painlessly — thick skin has no nerve endings. With a corn, the central core is removed as well, as that is what causes the pain. Relief is immediate: you leave walking better.
But debridement treats the consequence. If the pressure stays in the same place, the corn returns within weeks. That is why the appointment includes an assessment of what is causing the pressure — footwear, loading, toe shape — and measures to reduce it: silicone or felt offloading pads, toe separators, footwear advice and moisturising.
Never cut a corn at home with blades or use acid-based “corn removers” without guidance: they burn the healthy skin around it and, in people with diabetes or poor circulation, can cause serious wounds.
What happens at the appointment
- 1Assessment of the skin, pressure points, footwear and how you load the foot.
- 2Painless debridement of the callus and enucleation (core removal) of the corn.
- 3Protective padding or offloading to relieve the area, when indicated.
- 4Moisturising and advice on the right cream, usually one with urea.
- 5Maintenance plan: on heavily loaded feet, an appointment every 6 to 10 weeks keeps the pain away.
What you can do at home
- Moisturise your feet every day with a urea cream (10 to 25%), especially heels and soles.
- Wear shoes with room for the toes, a cushioning sole and a low, wide heel.
- A foot file or pumice stone, used gently after bathing, keeps the skin under control between appointments — without overdoing it, as skin responds to aggression by thickening more.
- Avoid blades, sharp “callus removers” and salicylic-acid plasters, especially if you have diabetes.
- Socks without thick seams, always dry; silicone separators if the toes rub against each other.
When not to wait
Book without delay — or see a doctor — if you notice any of these signs:
- The corn has opened, bleeds or has pus, or the surrounding area is red and warm.
- You have diabetes, poor circulation or little sensation in your feet: any callus must be treated by a professional, never at home.
- The pain is out of proportion to the size of the lesion, or there are black dots — it may be a plantar wart rather than a corn.
- The corn returns quickly despite treatment: a sign that the mechanical cause needs another approach (insoles, orthopaedic assessment).
Frequently asked questions
Does removing a corn hurt?+
No. Thick skin has no sensation, and debridement is done with the right instruments down to healthy skin without injuring it. What you feel is relief.
Will the corn come back?+
If the pressure that created it remains, yes — usually within a few weeks. That is why the cause is assessed and footwear adjusted or offloading fitted. On heavily loaded feet, the realistic goal is to keep the skin under control with regular appointments.
Can I use pharmacy corn plasters?+
We do not recommend them. Salicylic-acid plasters cannot tell corn skin from healthy skin and frequently cause burns or wounds. They are contraindicated for anyone with diabetes or circulation problems.
How do I know if it is a corn or a wart?+
A wart interrupts the skin lines, has small black dots and hurts more when squeezed from the side than when pressed. A corn has a central core and hurts on direct pressure. As the treatment differs, it is best to assess before treating.
This information is general and meant to help you understand the problem. It does not replace an individual assessment or medical follow-up. If in doubt, book an appointment. Content reviewed by Priscila Arantes, registered nurse (Ordem dos Enfermeiros no. 117508).
Other problems we treat
Plantar wart
A plantar wart looks like a corn, but it is a viral infection — so the treatment is different. Confirming what it is first saves weeks of treating the wrong thing.
Learn more →Cracked heels and fissures
Cracks start as dry skin and end up as splits that hurt and bleed. The skin is treated and, more importantly, whatever is drying it out and splitting it is corrected.
Learn more →Podiatric risk
With diabetes, and other conditions that affect circulation or sensation, the feet need monitoring even without complaints — because the problem is often that you stop feeling. The appointment is there to see what you cannot feel and to treat safely what would be a risk at home.
Learn more →Ingrown toenail · Nail fungus · Thick or deformed nails · Wounds and dressings