When you experience pin-point pain or discomfort in your foot, particularly when walking, you may notice a hard bump on your skin. This is a common issue, but the challenge lies in understanding exactly what you’re dealing with—corns or warts? While they might look similar at first glance, these two conditions are vastly different in how they develop and how they should be treated.
At M Maddocks Inc, we see countless patients every year with foot concerns, many of whom have attempted self-diagnosis and treatment. Unfortunately, this can lead to ineffective or even harmful remedies. Let’s dive deeper into the key differences between corns and warts, and why it’s essential to seek professional podiatric help for proper diagnosis and treatment.
What Is a Corn?
Corns are small, thickened areas of skin that develop due to excessive pressure or friction, usually caused by ill-fitting shoes or abnormal foot structure. They tend to form over bony areas of the foot like the tops of toes or under the balls of the feet, often becoming hard and painful over time.
The body creates corns as a defense mechanism to protect the skin from injury caused by repeated pressure. While they can be uncomfortable, corns aren’t contagious and typically only become a problem when they cause pain or inflammation. For many people, corns can be managed or even prevented with better footwear or by addressing the underlying cause of foot pressure.
Symptoms of a Corn:
- Small, hardened area of skin that is often painful when pressed
- A bump that appears on the top, sides, or between the toes
- May feel tender, particularly when walking or wearing shoes
What Is a Wart?
Warts, on the other hand, are caused by a virus (the human papillomavirus, or HPV). They usually appear on the soles of the feet (known as plantar warts) and can spread to other parts of the foot or even to other people. Warts may have tiny black dots (blood vessels) visible on their surface.
Plantar warts often develop on weight-bearing parts of the foot, such as the heels or balls of the feet, which can make walking painful. Unlike corns, warts are contagious and thrive in warm, moist environments, making communal areas like showers or pools high-risk places for transmission.
Symptoms of a Wart:
- Area of thick skin with a rough texture
- Black dots on the surface (which are little blood vessels)
- Pain when squeezed from the side
How to Tell the Difference Between a Corn and a Wart
While corns and warts can look alike, there are a few tell-tale signs that differentiate the two.
- Texture and Appearance: Corns tend to be smoother, and you’ll often find them in areas where your foot experiences pressure. They typically don’t have any black dots. Warts, in contrast, have a rougher texture and may display those tiny dark dots mentioned earlier.
- Cause: Corns are caused by pressure and friction, often from ill-fitting shoes, bony prominences or structural deformity. Warts are viral in nature, meaning they can spread and are contagious. If you notice similar bumps on your feet and hands, it’s more likely you’re dealing with warts rather than corns.
- Pain: Both corns and warts can cause discomfort, but the type of pain is different. Corns tend to hurt when direct pressure is applied, while warts can be painful when squeezed from the sides.
The only way to get a definitive answer is to see a podiatrist. At M Maddocks Inc, we perform a thorough examination of your feet to ensure the correct diagnosis and treatment.
Why Proper Diagnosis Is Essential
It may be tempting to try over-the-counter treatments or home remedies to resolve corns and warts, but doing so without the correct diagnosis can worsen your condition. Misidentifying a wart as a corn—or vice versa—means you won’t be using the right treatment. Worse still, incorrect treatments can lead to more pain, prolonged discomfort, and even infection.
That’s why it’s so important to get a professional opinion. With over ten years of experience in podiatric care, our team at M Maddocks Inc knows the ins and outs of foot health. We provide evidence-based treatments that aim to not only alleviate your symptoms but also tackle the root cause of your issue.
Treatment Options for Corns
Treating a corn is often a matter of reducing the pressure that caused it in the first place. Depending on the severity, our podiatry team may recommend one or more of the following treatments:
- Footwear Prescription: Wearing properly fitted shoes with enough toe room and padding can prevent future corns from forming.
- Custom Foot Orthotics: We may suggest orthotic inserts to redistribute pressure and offload the bony area that is under such high pressure.
- Debridement: Our podiatrists may carefully trim away the thickened skin using sterile instruments. This procedure reduces pressure on the corn and can bring immediate relief.
- Padding: Cushioning devices can help protect the area and prevent irritation.
Treatment Options for Warts
Warts can be more challenging to treat than corns due to their viral nature. At M Maddocks Inc, we offer various treatment methods based on the size, location, and persistence of the wart:
- Topical Treatments: Prescription-strength topical solutions may be applied to the wart to destroy the virus over time.
- Cryotherapy: This involves freezing the wart with liquid nitrogen. It’s a quick procedure but may require several sessions to fully remove the wart.
- Needling Procedure: A more aggressive and minimally invasive technique used to target and destroy the wart tissue, and stimulate and immune response for the body to also fight the virus from the inside out
As with any viral infection, warts can be difficult to eliminate completely, and recurrence is always a possibility. That’s why professional treatment and consistent follow-ups are crucial.
FAQs
Q: Are corns contagious?
A: No, corns are not caused by a virus, so they can’t spread to other people. They result from pressure or friction on your skin.
Q: Can I treat a wart at home?
A: While there are over-the-counter wart treatments, it’s always best to consult a podiatrist first. Professional treatment ensures you’re using the right methods for your specific condition, reducing the risk of complications.
Q: How can I prevent warts?
A: To prevent warts, avoid walking barefoot in communal areas like gyms, pools, or locker rooms. Wearing proper footwear and keeping your feet clean and dry also reduces the likelihood of infection.
When Foot Health Matters, Trust the Experts at M Maddocks Inc
Whether you’re dealing with a painful corn or an unsightly wart, it’s important to have a professional diagnosis and treatment plan. Here at M Maddocks Inc, we pride ourselves on delivering quality, evidence-based care that prioritises your comfort and mobility. With over ten years of experience and a highly specialised team, we’re here to help you get back on your feet—literally.
If you’re experiencing foot discomfort, don’t hesitate to reach out. Call us today at 072 046 5001 and visit our clinic at UMED Sandton Medical Suites, 134 Grayston Dr, Sandown, Sandton, 2196. We’ll help you understand your foot health and provide the best treatment options for long-term relief.
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