Have you noticed lumps, lesions or bumps along the bottom of your feet? You are most likely familiar with calluses developing along your skin, especially if you do a lot of walking or running. However, certain bumps can be indicative of the development of plantar corns or warts. But how can you tell these apart? And what can you do to treat them?
While they may seem similar, there are a few key differences you can look out for. In this article, we’ll help you understand what sets plantar corns apart from plantar warts and how they should be treated.
For personalized advice, contact our team at Step Right Foot Clinic today and book an appointment.
What is a corn?
Much like calluses, corns develop due to excessive pressure placed on an area of the foot. Friction and rubbing cause the skin to harden and thicken. As these calluses grow larger however, they can develop into concentrated areas of thick skin that can be much more painful to walk on.
Often, it is described as having a pebble under your foot. The corn will look like callus with a small translucent centre that looks much deeper. Generally, corns can be removed or enucleated but they may often return if the same pressure persists.
What is a plantar wart?
A plantar wart is similar to a corn in that it can often appear as small lumps along the bottom of your feet. However, rather than pressure, they develop as a result of a superficial viral infection. Plantar warts often grow in groups and can quickly spread without the right treatment.
One of the easiest ways to determine the difference is their appearance. Though plantar warts can appear as small lumps, they may sometimes usually develop small black or brown dots called “Petechia” within those lumps. These are a sign of damaged skin tissue and do not occur with plantar corns.
Identifying the differences
There are several key differences between plantar warts and corns. Here, we’ll outline each so that you can feel confident identifying your foot concerns to pursue the right help.
Growth
Though they both appear as lumps, corns are often singular developments. In opposition to this, plantar warts are a viral growth that can quickly spread. If you’ve noticed large or spreading sections of lumps, you likely have plantar warts.
Similarly, where they develop is also a clue. Plantar warts can occur anywhere, while plantar corns usually develop in high-pressure areas. These are often the bottom of your heel or the balls of your feet.
Pain
Corns tend to cause more discomfort from pressure when walking or in shoes. Plantar warts may or may not be painful when walking but cause the most pain when they are squeezed.
Causes
As mentioned earlier, corns occur due to pressure and friction against the feet. This can be caused due to ill-fitting or tight shoes or sub-optimal biomechanics. Plantar warts can develop after exposure to the HPV virus, in combination with another preceding factor such as abrasion, a lowered immune system, stress or excessively sweaty feet. However, even perfectly healthy people get warts sometimes.
Treating your concerns
Because of these differences, corns and warts also need to be treated differently. Here, we’ll outline the most common treatments for each so that you know how to manage your concern.
Treating corns
Treating corns is fairly simple. However, you will still need professional support. First, the overlying skin on top of the corn must be removed. This can be achieved through careful scraping or debridement. Then, the centre of the corn can be carefully enucleated. This may seem scary, but this process is usually painless because skin is made of keratin, similar to our hair! At the end of the treatment the chiropodist may apply some topical medication and/or recommend a cream or ointment.
Corn prevention
To help prevent plantar corns from developing, your chiropodist will likely make a few recommendations. Shoewear changes, orthotics and even padding can help relieve the pressure on your feet and reduce the chances of developing plantar corns.
Treating plantar warts
Plantar warts are initially treated in a similar way, though there are also a few more options available. The dead skin around the wart must first be removed, with debridement. There are several different options to treat the warts depending on size, location, how long you have had them, costs and more. We will go through all options appropriate to your situation.
Many people may have used cryotherapy to treat warts in the past. We do not use this at our clinic as we have methods that are more effective. Cryotherapy works well on warts on the hands and face, however the skin on the feet is much thicker and does not respond as well to this method. However, regardless of the treatment method, you may likely need to undergo several treatment sessions.
Plantar wart prevention
The best way to prevent plantar warts from developing is to keep your feet as clean and dry as possible. You’ll also want to reduce the chances of exposure. For instance, shower shoes in public spaces can help limit exposure.
Treating foot concerns the right way
If you’ve noticed any lumps developing on your feet, book an appointment at the Step Right Foot Clinic today. Our team of experienced chiropodists can assess your concerns and quickly identify the cause. With this knowledge, we can then tailor the right treatments for you. Don’t hesitate to put your health first and get the care you need.
