Medford Foot & Ankle Clinic, P.C., in Medford, OR, serves patients from Grants Pass and Central Point, OR, with careful diagnosis and treatment for painful skin and nail problems. Corns may look like small patches of thickened skin, but they can cause sharp pressure, burning, or tenderness when shoes rub against the toes or feet.

Corns form when the skin protects itself from repeated friction or pressure. They often develop on the tops or sides of toes, between toes, or on weight-bearing areas of the foot. A hard corn usually feels dense and raised, while a soft corn often appears between toes where moisture keeps the skin flexible.

These areas can become painful because thickened skin presses into deeper tissue. Some patients compare the feeling to stepping on a pebble or having a small object stuck inside the shoe.

Footwear often contributes to the problem. Tight shoes, narrow toe boxes, high heels, worn-out shoes, and seams that rub the skin can create repeated pressure. Foot structure also plays a major role. Hammertoes, bunions, curled toes, flat feet, high arches, or uneven gait patterns can place extra force on specific spots.

We also see corns in patients who spend long hours standing, walk on hard surfaces, or wear shoes that do not match their foot shape. When the same area absorbs pressure every day, the skin continues to build up.

We begin with an exam to confirm the diagnosis and identify the pressure source. We may gently trim the thickened skin in the office to reduce pain and pressure. Patients should not cut corns at home, especially if they have diabetes, poor circulation, neuropathy, or a history of slow healing.

Treatment may also include padding, toe spacers, shoe changes, custom orthotics, or recommendations for wider shoes with better support. If a hammertoe, bunion, or other deformity causes repeated rubbing, we may discuss long-term options to reduce recurrence. Our goal is to relieve discomfort and correct the mechanical issue that caused the skin to thicken.

Patients should schedule an appointment when pain affects walking, the skin cracks, redness appears, drainage develops, or the same spot keeps returning. People with diabetes should seek care early for any painful callus, corn, or open area on the foot.

Medford Foot & Ankle Clinic, P.C., in Medford, OR, welcomes patients from Grants Pass and Central Point, OR, who need treatment for corns, shoe-related pressure, and related foot concerns. To schedule an appointment, call (541) 770-1225.