These refer to non-contagious localized areas of thickened skin that form in response to pressure or friction. Corns are typically smaller, while calluses are larger.

Calluses: Found on large weight-bearing area (Example: soles of feet), they are generally painless and cover a larger area with ill defined borders. Symptoms can include:

• Thickened, hardened skin, may be discoloured yellow or grey
• Dry, rough or flaky in texture, may cause mild discomfort with prolonged pressure

Corns: Found over pressure points, commonly seen on or in between toe, these are typically smaller and have a central core that presses inwards and can irritate the underlying nerves. They can be hard or soft, the soft corns are commonly found on the tips of toes and are firm, dry and well defined borders while soft corns commonly occur between the toes and are whitish or rubbery in texture. Symptoms can include:

• Pain or tenderness with direct pressure
• Redness on the surrounding skin
• Localized thickened skin with a central core