What's the Difference Between a Corn and a Wart?
It’s happened to many of us: you notice a painful, small bump on your foot. Maybe it’s on the sole, or perhaps on the toes. At first glance, it’s easy to wonder, “Is this a corn or a wart?” They might look similar, but they’re not the same—and knowing the difference is crucial for proper treatment and relief.
In this blog, we’ll dive into how to identify whether it’s a corn or a wart, debunk common myths about treating them, and give you the information you need to help manage corn or wart.
How to Tell if It's a Wart or Corn?
Warts and corns may appear similar, but they come from very different causes.
Warts are caused by a virus—specifically, the human papillomavirus (HPV). They are an infection of the skin and often appear as small, rough growths. You’ll frequently find them on weight-bearing areas like the ball of the foot or heel.
A telltale sign of a wart is the presence of tiny black dots (which are actually blood vessels) within the growth. Warts also tend to interrupt the natural skin lines on your feet.
Pro tip: Corns tend to hurt when pressed directly on the centre, while warts like this may feel tender when squeezed from the sides.
Corns, on the other hand, are caused by friction or pressure. They form as a protective response to repeated rubbing or compression. Corns tend to have a hard, circular centre and are surrounded by thickened skin.
Unlike warts, corns don’t contain black dots, and they won’t bleed when scraped.
Can I Use Wart Remover on a Corn?
This is a very common question—and the short answer is: no, you shouldn’t.
Wart removers, like those containing salicylic acid, are designed to target infected skin tissue. Using these treatments on a corn is not only ineffective but can also damage the healthy skin around the corn, leading to irritation and potentially skin ulceration and more pain.
Corns are best treated by addressing the source of the friction or pressure. This could mean adjusting your footwear, adding orthotic support, or having a podiatrist safely remove the corn in the clinic.
If you’re unsure whether you have a corn or wart, it’s always best to consult a podiatry professional (like us!) to avoid unnecessary discomfort or complications.
What Does a Corn Look Like?
A corn is usually round and small, and its centre may look like a tiny plug of hard skin. Corns often appear on the tops or sides of toes, or on areas where your shoes rub. They can also form under areas of high pressure like the balls of your feet.
Corns can be classified into four main types:
- Hard Corns: These are dense, tough patches of skin that form on weight-bearing or high-friction areas.
- Soft Corns: These tend to develop between the toes where the skin stays moist. They often appear white and rubbery in texture.
- Seed Corns: These are tiny little corns that usually form on the bottom of the feet. They are the size of sesame seeds (hence the name!).
- Neuro-vascular Corns: These extremely painful corns are like a hard corn but may contain nerve and blood vessel tissue and can feel and look very similar to the untrained eye.
If you’re struggling to tell whether the bump on your foot is a corn or something else, it’s always better to have it checked by a podiatrist. What might seem like a harmless corn could sometimes be another condition, like a plantar wart or even a foreign body stuck in the skin.
Do Corns Go Away on Their Own?
Corns won’t resolve without addressing the cause of the pressure or friction.
If you keep wearing shoes that rub against the same area of your foot, the corn will persist—or even worsen. However, with proper care, such as switching to well-fitting shoes, using cushioning pads, and avoiding repetitive friction, small corns can sometimes shrink or disappear over time.
For stubborn or painful corns, it’s a good idea to seek professional treatment. Podiatrists can remove corns safely and effectively, often providing immediate relief. We can also help you identify any underlying issues—like foot biomechanics or poorly fitted footwear—that might be causing the problem in the first place.
We Are Here to Help
If you have developed a "lump" on your foot and are unsure if it's a corn or a wart, the first thing to do is book an appointment with one of the Podiatrists at Complete Podiatry for a comprehensive assessment to identify what the diagnosis is.
Once this is done, we will develop a structured management plan that outlines our best advice for how to help you return to doing the things you love to do without needing to worry about the corn or wart troubling you in the long term.
Just call us on 8330 0004 or book online.
I'll love to talk to you about how we can help you build an amazing life from the feet up!
Anthony Robinson
Director of Complete Podiatry