A corn on your foot is a thickened area of skin that develops as a protective response to repeated pressure or friction. It is usually found on the top or side of toes. Corns are typically small, round, and hard, and they often have a painful, cone-shaped core that can press against the underlying tissue or nerves. This makes walking or wearing shoes uncomfortable. The most common cause of corns is poorly fitting shoes that rub against the skin. Corns can be hard or soft; soft corns often occur between the toes and tend to be more pliable. Corns are distinguishable from calluses in that corns tend to be smaller, round, and have a defined center, whereas calluses are larger, more diffuse, and occur mainly on the soles or other weight-bearing areas of the feet. In summary, a corn is a localized thickening of the skin on the foot caused by pressure or friction, often from shoes, and can be painful due to its inward-directed core pressing on the tissue beneath.
