What should I do if corns keep recurring?

Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
Updated on June 28, 2025
00:00
00:00

Corns are hyperplastic lesions formed after foreign objects enter the skin and are subject to prolonged friction and pressure. They mostly appear on the soles of the feet. In such cases, commonly used corn ointments can completely cure them.

For some patients who suffer from recurring episodes, corn ointments are generally effective. However, if the condition frequently recurs and appears in abundance, it may need to be considered as common warts, which are caused by a viral infection.

Therefore, in such situations, it is advisable to visit the dermatology department of a regular hospital for a further diagnosis by a doctor. If the condition is diagnosed as common warts, cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen may be required for treatment.

If it remains a corn, it is advisable to adjust one's lifestyle habits, such as wearing looser shoes more often and avoiding walking barefoot on dirty surfaces as much as possible.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Da Wei
General Surgery
51sec home-news-image

The difference between corns and calluses.

Firstly, a corn is a type of common wart, and it actually has clear differences from a callus. Common warts generally occur on the soles of the feet, or on the proliferative protruding surface, typically characterized by specific manifestations. In such cases, there usually are also prominent manifestations, and these conditions can also cause some minor pain. On the other hand, calluses are completely the opposite of corns. The surface of a callus is generally not protruding, meaning the skin is flat and usually quite smooth. In this respect, there is a fundamental difference on the surface. Moreover, calluses can potentially be caused by local compression factors. As for corns, they are usually caused by lowered immunity. That is, viral infections are what lead to the problem of corns.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
57sec home-news-image

What causes corns on the soles of the feet?

Corns are mostly caused by the prolonged and repeated friction and compression of a foreign object that has entered the skin, resulting in a hyperproliferative lesion. They are generally small and can be completely treated with common corn ointments. However, if a corn has been present for a long time and has grown larger, it is recommended to seek treatment at a formal hospital's dermatology department using the method of liquid nitrogen freezing, which usually resolves the issue in one or two sessions. Some corns can become larger and may be painful or show signs of inflammation and infection. In such cases, it is advisable to visit a surgical or dermatology department for a minor minimally invasive surgery to completely remove it. When wearing shoes, it is essential to choose loose and soft-soled footwear, and avoid walking barefoot on surfaces to prevent foreign objects from entering and causing the recurrence of corns.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Xu Jun Hui
General Surgery
36sec home-news-image

Is a corn the same as a callus?

Skin tags are not the same as corns; they are two completely different conditions. Skin tags generally refer to abnormally proliferating tissue at the nail area, and also commonly refer to warts. Corns usually result from localized abnormal friction, causing proliferative growth of the soft tissue, typically located on the sole of the foot. Skin tags and common warts can also occur on the bottom of the feet, but skin tags usually appear as proliferative, tumor-like protrusions on the surface of the skin, whereas corns generally do not protrude above the surface of the skin.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
54sec home-news-image

Can a corn be squeezed out?

Using squeezing as a method to treat corns is not effective, and it will not extrude them. Corns are mostly formed due to foreign bodies entering the skin and repeated friction. After the onset of this condition, walking can be painful and uncomfortable. The most standard and direct method is to use a corn plaster for local application. These corrosive medications can completely clear the corns. If the effect is not very good, one can also go to the dermatology department of a regular hospital to undergo cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen. After cryotherapy, blisters form locally, which gradually heal, causing the corn to necrose and fall off. Therefore, after this disease occurs, it is essential to seek proper treatment and not to use squeezing. This method can cause pain in the corns and may also lead to symptoms of redness and infection.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
32sec home-news-image

Corns are treated in which department?

Corn is a relatively common condition. If you suffer from corns, it is recommended to consult dermatology or surgery for treatment. Corns are mainly caused by prolonged standing, or by wearing shoes that do not fit properly or are too tight. They usually appear individually. It is advised to seek treatment promptly at the dermatology or surgery department of a hospital. The primary treatment involves topical medications, but methods like laser or cryotherapy can also be employed.