Do you have a growth of hard skin on your foot? You may be having a corn or a wart. Unfortunately, these two conditions are often misdiagnosed as their appearance can look very similar to the untrained eye. It is important to have an accurate diagnosis in order to ensure it is resolved fully.
Caption: Wart (Left) and Corn (Right)
| Appearance/Symptom | Differences | |
| A lump or bump on the foot | Corn | Wart |
| 1) Circular in shape | 1) Cluster of small bumps, irregularly shaped | |
| 2) Yellowish in colour
when it is dry |
2) Pale-coloured, more white than yellow | |
| 3) No black dots, has smooth
skin lines |
3) Dry, crusty surface with small black dots, no visible skin lines | |
| Multiple lesions on feet | 4) Appears in the same region on both feet | 4) Different spots on the feet, often only on one foot and not the other. |
| 5) Does not spread,
no adjacent lesions |
5) There can be more than one lesion in close proximity to each other due to spreading of wart infection. | |
| Pain | 6) Pain on direct pressure | 6) Pain on pinching the area |
| Base of lesion | 7) No bleeding during removal | 7) Bleeds profusely on removal of hard skin |
| 8) Core of lesion can be thoroughly removed by a podiatrist, but hard skin will recur due to excessive pressure on area | 8) Once the ‘root’ is removed and the wart is treated fully, there will not be any hard skin growing on that area | |
| Management Plan | 9) Requires regular treatment by podiatrist to prevent pain | 9) Average of 4-8 weekly sessions of debridement, application of acid and cryotherapy for complete resolution |
Warts
Warts are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). The virus hides within, divides and replicate within human cells . The virus attacks the skin through direct contact, entering through possibly tiny cuts and abrasions in the outermost layer of skin.
Photo of a Wart
After infection, warts may not become visible for several weeks or months until it grows big enough to pinch on the underlying nerves to cause pain or discomfort. Treatment varies. At Physio & Sole Clinic, we engage in sharps debridement and the application of concentrated salicyclic acid and cryotherapy, which is the most effective evidence-based practice in treating warts.
Corns
Corns are specially-shaped callus of dead skin. Corns and calluses generally form when the skin tries to protect an underlying area from injury, pressure or rubbing.
Unsure whether the lesion on your foot is a wart or a corn? We can help! Feel free to snap a photo of the affected area and send it to us by Whatsapp. Just click on the button below!
