Calluses and Corns - Exams and Tests

Exams and Tests
Calluses and corns—areas of thick, hardened, dead skin—generally are diagnosed during a physical exam. If the calluses or corns are on your feet, you will be asked to take your shoes and socks off, and your feet will be examined. If you have calluses on another part of your body, such as your knee or elbow, your health professional will examine those areas as well.
Your health professional may also ask you questions about your work, hobbies, or shoes. If your health professional suspects a problem with the bones of the foot, he or she might do an X-ray of your foot.
If a callus or corn is not located over a bony part of the foot or a pressure point is not obvious, your health professional may look for another cause, such as skin cancer or a genetic cause.
If you have diabetes, peripheral arterial disease, peripheral neuropathy, or other conditions that cause circulatory problems or numbness, tell your health professional. These diseases affect your treatment options.
Author: Ralph Poore
Medical Review: Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine Alexander H. Murray, MD, FRCPC - Dermatology
Last Updated: February 16, 2006
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