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Clavus

Contributors: Noah Craft MD, PhD, Lindy P. Fox MD, Lowell A. Goldsmith MD, MPH, Michael D. Tharp MD
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Synopsis

Corns (clavi) are keratinous thickenings of the skin of the toes that are caused by repeated friction or pressure to the area. The base of the corn is seen on the surface of the skin while the apex points inward, causing discomfort. Corns are classified as either hard or soft, depending upon their location and appearance. Hard corns typically affect the tops of the toes and are composed of a dense core that presses on sensory nerves, causing extreme pain. Soft corns occur between the toes and are continuously softened by sweat. They are macerated and white in appearance.

Factors that can lead to and exacerbate corns include ill-fitting shoes, not wearing shoes, the bunching up of socks, bony prominences in the feet or other faulty foot mechanics, and repetitive physical activities that stress the skin.

Codes

ICD10CM:
L84 – Corns and callosities

SNOMEDCT:
201038005 – Corn

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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls

Hard corns may be mistaken for the following:

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Last Updated:09/21/2017
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Patient Information for Clavus
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Contributors: Medical staff writer

Overview

Corns are thickenings of the skin composed of keratin that are typically found on the toes caused by repeated friction or pressure to the area. The base of the corn is seen on the surface of the skin while the top points inward, causing discomfort.

Corns are classified as either hard or soft, depending upon their location and appearance. Hard corns typically affect the tops of the toes and are composed of a dense core that presses on sensory nerves, causing extreme pain. Soft corns occur between the toes and are whiter and softer in appearance due to the continuous softening by sweat.

Who’s At Risk

With the exception of non-weight-bearing infants, people of all ages may develop corns.

Signs & Symptoms

Corns are primarily located on the feet, particularly the toes. However, corns can appear anywhere that foot friction occurs, whether it is on top of the foot and even on the sole.

In the case of soft corns, well-circumscribed thickenings may be seen on the toes, and soft papules may be noted between the toes. Hard corns typically affect the tops of the toes or the side of the fifth toe, and appear like calluses.

Self-Care Guidelines

To best prevent corns, make sure that shoes fit properly.

When to Seek Medical Care

Corns are a benign condition and may not require medical evaluation. However, if corns become very painful, evaluation should be sought.

Patients with certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or connective tissue disease, have an increased risk of complications associated with corns, and they should seek medical evaluation.

Treatments

Your physician may advise you to soak corns in warm water and file them down with an emery board or pumice stone. Over-the-counter salicylic acid plasters may be recommended for treatment as well as keratolytic agents (such as urea cream) to help soften the thickened skin.

References


Bolognia, Jean L., ed. Dermatology, pp.1399. New York: Mosby, 2003.

Freedberg, Irwin M., ed. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 6th ed, pp.1247-1249. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2003.
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Clavus
A medical illustration showing key findings of Clavus : Macerated skin, Painful skin lesions, Web spaces of toes, Plantar foot
Clinical image of Clavus - imageId=150025. Click to open in gallery.  caption: 'A corn displaying a circumscribed plaque of thickened epidermis with a central scaly papule.'
A corn displaying a circumscribed plaque of thickened epidermis with a central scaly papule.
Copyright © 2023 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.