Corn vs Wart: Symptoms, Causes, and Effective Treatments

Alice Von Holt

Podiatrist

Alice von Holt has been working as a podiatrist in both private practice and residential care homes around Brisbane since 2020. Joining the Advance Foot Clinic team in 2023, Alice brings with her a wealth of experience in treating many different foot and lower limb complications.

Have you ever noticed a small, uncomfortable growth on your foot and wondered if it’s a corn or a wart? While both can cause pain and look similar, their causes and treatments differ significantly. Understanding the difference between a corn and a wart is crucial for choosing the right treatment, as the wrong treatment can have disastrous effects! Today we’ll talk about how to identify each condition, what causes them, and the most effective treatments to keep your feet healthy.

Corn vs Wart: What are the key differences?

Corns and callus treated by podiatrist

At first glance, corns and warts might seem alike, but they are distinct in their symptoms, appearance, and origins. Here’s how to tell them apart:

What Is a Corn?

  • Cause: Corns are areas of thickened skin that develop due to friction or pressure. They usually form on the tops or sides of toes or the soles of the feet.
  • Appearance: Round or cone-shaped with a hard center surrounded by inflamed skin and callus. They feel rough and are often yellowish.They look like little dots.
  • Skin striations: If you look very closely, the striations (lines) in your skin will continue through the corn, rather than travelling around it. 
  • Symptoms: Corns can cause sharp pain when pressure is applied, such as while walking or wearing tight shoes. They will be the most painful with direct pressure right on top of them vs warts which hurt more when squeezed. 

What is a wart?

  • Cause: Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which leads to rapid skin cell growth. They are contagious and can spread through direct contact or shared surfaces.
  • Appearance: Warts are pink, flesh-colored or whitish and may have tiny black dots (clotted blood vessels) on the surface. They often grow in clusters and have a rough texture. Often the appearance is described as ‘cauliflower like’. 
  • Symptoms: Warts can feel tender when pressure is applied, but often pain will be worse when the sides of the wart are squeezed together. They may also itch or bleed vs corns.
verrucae or plantar wart has a cauliflower appearance vs a corn which looks more like normal skin

Symptoms of Corns vs Warts: How to Identify Them

If you’re unsure whether you’re dealing with a corn or a wart, it’s always a good idea to consult a podiatrist for a professional diagnosis.

Symptoms of Corns

  • A thickened, rough patch of skin.
  • A small, hardened core in the center.
  • Pain when pressure is applied, such as during walking or wearing tight shoes.
  • Dry, waxy or inflamed skin around the affected area.

Symptoms of Warts

  • Raised, rough growths that may appear in clusters.
  • Tiny black dots on the surface (known as “wart seeds”).
  • Tenderness or pain when squeezed or pressed.
  • Occasional itching or mild bleeding.

Causes of Corns and Warts

Understanding what causes corns and warts can help you prevent them in the future.

Causes of Corns

Corns are primarily caused by repetitive pressure or friction on the skin. Common contributing factors include:

  • Wearing ill-fitting or tight shoes.
  • Walking barefoot on hard surfaces.
  • Abnormal foot structure, such as bunions or hammertoes.
  • Gait issues that increase pressure on certain parts of the foot.
  •  
what-are-plantar-warts-2

Causes of Warts

Warts, on the other hand, are caused by the HPV virus, which enters the skin through small cuts or abrasions. Common risk factors include:

  • Walking barefoot in public areas like pools, gyms, or showers.
  • Sharing shoes, socks, or towels with an infected person.
  • Weakened immune system, which makes you more susceptible to infections.

Effective Treatments for Corns and Warts

Choosing the right treatment depends on whether you’re dealing with a corn or a wart. Let’s explore the best approaches for each condition.

Corn Treatment Options

1. Professional Treatment for Corns

  • Corn Removal by a Podiatrist: A podiatrist can safely remove the thickened skin using a scalpel. This process relieves pain and prevents further complications.
  • Padding and Strapping: Protective padding reduces friction and pressure, helping the area heal.
  • Custom Orthotics: If corns are caused by biomechanical issues, orthotics can correct foot alignment and reduce pressure.
effective podiatrist treatment for corns

At-Home Remedies for Corns

  • Warm Foot Soaks: Soak your feet in warm water for 10–15 minutes, then gently exfoliate with a pumice stone to remove dead skin.
  • Moisturizing Creams: Apply a thick foot cream to keep your skin soft and reduce friction.
  • Wear Proper Shoes: Choose footwear with a wide toe box and good cushioning to prevent pressure points.
  • Please do not use ‘corn pads’ or acid on the corn! These treatments are dangerous to the surrounding skin, leading to blistering, pain and infection which drastically lengthens recovery time. Come and see a podiatrist for safe treatment and quick resolution.

Wart Treatment Options

1. Professional Wart Treatments

  • SWIFT microwave therapy: A new and gold-standard wart treatment available only at selected podiatry clinics (including Advance Foot Clinic). Learn more about SWIFT.
  • Salicylic Acid: Podiatrists have access to strong Salicylic paste, which can be applied directly to the wart while using padding to protect the surrounding skin. While this treatment takes much longer than SWIFT, it is generally painless and well-tolerated by children.
  • Surgical Removal: For stubborn warts, minor surgery may be necessary to remove the growth and activate the body’s immune system. Our podiatrists use Faulkner’s needling technique, which can be performed in-rooms under local anaesthetic.

2. At-Home Wart Treatments

  • Salicylic Acid Products: Over-the-counter creams, gels, or patches containing salicylic acid can dissolve the wart gradually. Be sure to follow instructions carefully. 
  • Duct Tape Method: Covering the wart with duct tape can deprive it of oxygen, potentially causing it to shrink over time.
  • Avoid Picking or Scratching: To prevent spreading the virus, avoid touching the wart and wash your hands thoroughly after any contact.
  • Diet and supplements: Maintain a healthy diet with adequate vitamin intake to ensure your immune system is healthy. In particular, Zinc intake has been shown to sometimes help the body fight off warts, so you may wish to consider a Zinc supplement. 

When to See a Podiatrist Corn vs Wart

While some corns and warts can be treated at home, professional care is essential if:

  • The condition is causing severe pain or affecting your mobility.
  • You have diabetes or circulation issues, which increase the risk of complications.
  • Home treatments aren’t working, or the condition seems to be worsening.
  • You’re unsure whether you’re dealing with a corn or a wart.

A podiatrist can provide an accurate diagnosis and recommend the most effective treatment plan tailored to your needs.

Preventing Corns vs Warts

Prevention is always better than treatment. Here are some simple tips to keep your feet healthy and free of corns and warts:

Tips to Prevent Corns

  • Wear properly fitted shoes with adequate cushioning.
  • Use protective padding in areas prone to friction.
  • Keep your feet moisturized to prevent dry, rough skin.
  • Trim your toenails regularly to prevent pressure points.

Tips to Prevent Warts

  • Avoid walking barefoot in public areas like pools, gyms or shared showers.
  • Keep your feet clean and dry to reduce the risk of infection.
  • Don’t share personal items like shoes, socks, or towels.
  • Boost your immune system with a healthy diet and regular exercise.

Healthy Feet Start with the Right Care

Whether you’re dealing with a corn or a wart, identifying the condition correctly is the first step toward effective treatment. Corns are caused by friction and pressure, while warts result from a viral infection. Each requires a unique approach to treatment and prevention.

If you’re unsure about what’s causing discomfort in your feet, don’t wait to seek help. Contact Advance Foot Clinic Podiatry today for expert advice and care. With five clinics across Brisbane and Mount Isa, the team is here to help you get back on your feet, pain-free.

Take the first step towards happy and healthy feet.

Ready to give your feet the care they deserve? Book your appointment online or call us and experience our expert podiatry services at any of our six clinic locations.