Returning patients: Please call the office to book an appointment.

Kissing Corns: A Painful Love Affair On The Foot

Dr. Donald Pelto on what are "kissing corns" or soft corns and calluses on the foot, causes and treatments available in Worce

Kissing Corns: A Painful Love Affair On The Foot

 

“Kissing corns” are calluses or corns that develop between the toes, usually between the fourth and fifth (pinky) digits. The pain happens because the toe bones rub against each other creating little corns that “kiss.” They are also called soft corns or calluses.

Despite the name, it’s a very painful kind of callus on the side of the foot, and the pain is made worse when someone wears a tight shoe. They also happen when someone is doing a lot of activity where the toes rub together, increasing the friction between the toe bones.

Because “kissing corns” are located between the toes, they are generally not as hard as other corns and calluses on the bottom or side of the foot due to the natural humidity in the area. These soft calluses can be whitish or yellowish and tend to look spongy.

 

Change your shoes

The best recommendation to those suffering from soft corns is to wear shoes with a wide toe box (try the shoe liner test). More space for the toes means less contact between toe bones. Toe spacers are another solution available on the market.

People try to soak the corns and lightly file them down at home with a pumice stone or a nail file. Trimming foot corns at home is not recommended as it can be dangerous and cause sores and infections, especially if the person has diabetes.  

 

Surgical procedure

When the “kissing corns” are recurrent, there’s a small procedure that can be done in our offices in which we make a half-inch incision and shave down the bone slightly, so they stop their “love affair'' of rubbing against each other.

Call 508-757-4003 to be seen by a foot and ankle specialist at Central Massachusetts Podiatry, in Worcester and Westborough. Same-day appointments might be available.

 

Author
Dr. Donald Pelto Dr. Donald Pelto Dr. Donald Pelto is a Podiatrist at Central Massachusetts Podiatry, in Worcester and Westborough. Author of several books on foot health, he also speaks Portuguese and English. He likes to go on family hikes and loves learning and talking about health related topics and healthy life hacks. Watch some of his interviews about health and video lectures on youtube.com/drpelto.

You Might Also Enjoy...

Best treatments for Plantar Fasciitis

Almost everyday a patient comes in with excruciating heel pain, after trying every tip and spending hundreds of dollars in shoes and products that promise a solution for Plantar Fasciitis. Watch this free CMP webinar before you google or buy anything.

Learn how foot neuromas are treated

Neuromas main symptoms are a shooting pain between the toes and the ball of the foot and abnormal sensations, like having a pebble inside the shoe or if the sock is bunched up in that area. Learn how these are treated in this webinar with the CMP doctors

Watch this webinar if you have bunions

Take advantage of the extra time during the holidays to learn “All About Bunions”: what causes bunions, shoe choice and non-surgical options, bunion surgery, how is post-operation recovery and the possibilities of recurrence. Access the recording here.

Webinar: All About Achilles Tendonitis

During last year, Dr. Feldman, Dr. Pelto and Dr. Saviet sat down for a virtual roundtable with patients and went over “All About Achilles Tendonitis”. In case you missed it, we recorded that session, which is now available to be watched.