Corns and warts are among the most common plantar lesions – a lot of us will experience one of these conditions throughout our lives. But how can we tell the difference between a corn or a wart on the bottom of the foot? These two growths are much alike, which is why you need to look for subtle differences that can point you in the right direction – we’ve explained it all in this text.
Corn or Wart on the Bottom of Foot – What Is What?
For someone who isn’t a medical professional, a corn and a wart can seem like the same thing. While they do give similar symptoms – pain and discomfort at the touch – they are caused by different things and should be treated differently.
What Is a Wart?
A plantar wart is a rough, flat skin growth caused by HPV with a black pinpoint in the center. It’s often skin-colored, but it can be gray, brown, or black. The virus enters the skin through a cut, which is why warts are common in children since they are prone to getting hurt. Warts can develop months after being exposed to the virus or don’t have to develop at all if your immune system is strong enough. Keep in mind that warts are contagious and can occur in other parts of the body as well.
What Is a Corn?
Corns are thickened, hardened parts of the skin formed in the areas that are exposed to frequent pressure and friction – this can be the weight-bearing part of the foot, but also the side of the foot, top of the toes, or the part of the skin between the toes. Corns have hard centers, and they can go deep into the skin – there is a root shaped like a cone, which makes deep corn removal complex. The lesion is flaky and raised and shouldn’t be confused with a callus.
How to Tell the Difference Between These Skin Growths?
The best way to be sure which skin growth you’re dealing with is to consult with a medical professional, but if you’re curious, there are a few ways you can tell the difference between corn vs. wart on your own – let’s take a look.
Timing Can Be Crucial
Considering that a wart is a viral infection, the onset is quite quick compared to a corn, which can take months or even years to occur and cause any symptoms. Warts cover small areas, but they can develop in clusters – there is more than one on the foot. Meanwhile, there is usually one corn covering a small surface of the foot.
Pay Attention to the Area on Your Foot
Warts can occur on any part of the foot – the pressure doesn’t play a big role in their development as it does with corns. On the other hand, a corn will develop in areas where there is some pressure – the ball of the foot or on top of a bunion, for example.
Try the Push-Squeeze Test
Both corns and warts are painful when you press them, but the way you do that can help you tell them apart. Corns are the most painful when you directly push them with a finger, while warts are more painful if you squeeze them – the pain occurs at side-to-side pressure.
Check Wrinkles Around
If the lesion is a corn, the wrinkles will pass right through the growth – corns involve the skin line. Warts, on the other hand, don’t involve any wrinkles. They will simply pass around the wart. This can help you tell them apart.
Consult Your Surgeon in Miami and Schedule the Removal Procedure
Whichever skin growth you have, reaching out to a medical professional and having it removed is in your best interest. If you want to have skilled and experienced doctors by your side during the corn removal procedure, our Luxe Foot Surgery clinic is the right place for you. Contact us to book your appointment.
FAQ
Can I Dig a Corn Out of My Foot?
No, you shouldn’t dig a corn on your own. Instead, try to soak it in water and try to file the skin with a pumice stone once it has softened a bit.
Will a Corn Eventually Fall Off?
If the pressure and friction to the corn are removed, it can go away on its own after some time in some cases.
References
- Cleveland Clinic – Corns and Calluses: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16896-corns-and-calluses
- Cleveland Clinic – Warts: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15045-warts
- Healthline – What’s the Difference Between a Wart and a Corn?: https://www.healthline.com/health/wart-vs-corn
- Warner Orthopedics & Wellness – 4 Ways to Tell If You Have a Corn or a Wart: https://warnerorthopedics.com/4-ways-to-tell-if-you-have-a-corn-or-a-wart/
