Should I Use Corn Pads?
- My Family Podiatry Team
- 24 hours ago
- 2 min read
Should I Use Corn Pads?
Not to bury the lead — the simple answer is no.
Before explaining why, let’s quickly cover what a corn actually is.
What Is a Corn?
A corn is an area of thickened hard skin that forms due to repeated friction or pressure. It develops a dense central core that presses into the skin, causing pain and discomfort, particularly on weight-bearing areas such as the soles of the feet.
These are hard corns. Soft corns can also appear between the toes where moisture builds up, making them softer but just as painful.
What Causes Corns?
Excessive pressure or friction can result from:
Poor-fitting footwear (too tight or too loose)
Excessive foot pronation or flattening of the arch
High arches and rigid feet
Long periods of standing
Bony prominences like bunions or clawed toes
Foot structural changes from arthritis or injury
Dry skin that loses flexibility
Common Symptoms
A small corn might cause little more than a rough patch of skin at first. As it thickens, you may feel:
A hard patch that feels like a pebble under the skin
Pain when pressing directly on it (unlike warts, which hurt when squeezed from the sides)
The sensation of a small rock in your shoe
Corns between the toes that appear hard and yellow or soft and white
Because corns can look like warts, ulcers, or even splinters covered by skin, it’s best to have them properly diagnosed by a podiatrist.
Professional Corn Treatment
A podiatrist can remove a corn safely and painlessly using a scalpel to scoop out (enucleate) the central core and remove any overlying callus. This is painless because it’s dead skin with no nerve endings — and instantly relieves that “rock in your shoe” feeling.
If the corn keeps returning, your podiatrist will look for the underlying cause such as pressure or gait issues.
We also recommend:
Using a urea-based foot balm to soften and hydrate skin (try Revive Daily foot cream, available in clinic)
Gently sanding hardened skin with a pumice stone
Checking shoe fit and support
Addressing pressure through orthotics, padding, or modified insoles
Why Corn Pads Can Be Dangerous
Corn pads — the small doughnut-shaped plasters impregnated with salicylic acid — are designed to soften skin around the corn so it “falls out.”
In theory it sounds good, but in practice you’re applying acid to healthy skin in a high-pressure area. That’s a recipe for trouble. The acid often damages surrounding skin, leading to wounds, ulcers or infections — without even removing the corn’s core.
So don’t have rocks in your head trying to remove the “rock” under your foot. Let a podiatrist handle it safely.
Prevention Tips
Choose properly fitted shoes with enough width and depth
Keep skin moisturised with a urea cream
Address foot posture issues with orthotics or supportive footwear
Use protective padding if prone to pressure spots
Avoid DIY treatments or blades at home
Why Choose My Family Podiatry
Our podiatrists in Albany Creek are experienced in diagnosing and treating corns, calluses, and other painful skin conditions. We focus on comfort, prevention and long-term results — so you can walk pain-free again.
Tired of that “pebble in your shoe” feeling? Book a professional corn removal appointment today.
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