Corns and Calluses Treatment Melbourne

Suffering from painful corns or thick calluses on your feet? At The Lower Limb Clinic in Elsternwick, Melbourne, we provide effective treatment for these common foot problems, helping you walk comfortably and confidently again.

We run on time
Rapid, 48 hour turnaround
Unrivalled experience and expertise
After-hours appointments

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Types of Corns

Understanding the different types of corns helps with proper treatment:

Hard corns are the most common type, appearing as small, concentrated areas of hard skin with a dense core. They typically develop on the tops of toes, particularly the smaller toes, where shoes create pressure and friction.

Soft corns develop between toes where moisture from perspiration keeps the skin soft. These appear whitish and rubbery and can be quite painful due to their location in the sensitive skin between toes.

Seed corns are tiny corns that typically appear on the bottom of feet. They’re usually painless but can be numerous and give the skin a rough, bumpy texture.

Common Causes

Several factors contribute to the development of corns and calluses:

Ill-fitting shoes – The most common cause, including shoes that are too tight, too loose, or have seams that rub against your skin. High heels that force toes into a narrow toe box are particularly problematic.
Foot deformities – Conditions like bunions, hammer toes, or prominent bone structures create pressure points where corns and calluses commonly develop.
Gait abnormalities – How you walk can create uneven pressure distribution across your feet, leading to callus formation in areas that bear excessive weight.
Activities and occupation – Jobs requiring prolonged standing or walking, sports activities, or manual labour can contribute to pressure and friction on feet.
Age-related changes – As we age, the fat padding on our feet decreases, making bones more prominent and increasing pressure on certain areas.
Dry skin – Makes skin less flexible and more prone to thickening in response to pressure.

When to Seek Professional Help

While minor calluses might be manageable with over-the-counter treatments, professional care is recommended in several situations:

You should see a podiatrist if you experience:

Painful corns or calluses that interfere with walking or daily activities
Corns between toes that are difficult to treat safely at home
Signs of infection including redness, swelling, warmth, or discharge around corns or calluses
Bleeding or cracking in the thickened skin areas
Recurring corns or calluses that keep coming back despite home treatment
If you have diabetes, circulation problems, or reduced sensation in your feet

Important: People with diabetes should never attempt to cut or shave corns and calluses themselves, as reduced sensation and slower healing increase the risk of serious complications.

Our Treatment Approach

At The Lower Limb Clinic, we provide comprehensive assessment and treatment that addresses both the symptoms and underlying causes.

Professional Assessment

Dr Richard Chasen examines your corns and calluses to determine their type, severity, and underlying causes. This includes assessing your foot structure, examining your gait and walking pattern, reviewing your footwear, and identifying any biomechanical factors contributing to pressure points.

We’ll discuss your symptoms, daily activities, occupation, and any previous treatments you’ve tried. Understanding what activities make your corns or calluses worse helps us develop the most effective treatment plan.

Treatment Options

Professional debridement involves the safe removal of thickened skin using sterile instruments. This provides immediate relief and allows us to assess the underlying skin condition. The procedure is painless when performed by experienced professionals and dramatically reduces the bulk of corns and calluses.

Corn pads and cushioning provide protection and pressure relief for corns, particularly those on toes. We can provide medical-grade padding that’s more effective than over-the-counter options and show you proper application techniques.

Callus reduction involves carefully removing excess callused skin while leaving enough to provide protection. This requires skill to avoid removing too much skin, which could cause pain or injury.

Pressure redistribution through padding, strapping, or orthotic devices helps address the underlying cause by reducing pressure on problematic areas.

Custom orthotics may be recommended if biomechanical factors are contributing to abnormal pressure distribution. Orthotics can help redistribute weight more evenly across your feet, reducing pressure on areas prone to corn and callus formation.

Footwear assessment and recommendations address one of the most common causes. We’ll evaluate your current shoes and provide specific guidance on styles, sizes, and features that will reduce pressure and friction.

Home Care Between Visits

Proper home care helps maintain the results of professional treatment:

Daily moisturising keeps skin supple and less likely to thicken. Apply quality foot cream daily, avoiding the areas between toes where moisture can cause problems.
Gentle filing with a pumice stone or foot file when skin is soft can help manage minor callus buildup between appointments. Use gentle pressure and avoid aggressive filing.
Protective padding as recommended by your podiatrist can prevent corns from worsening. Replace padding regularly and ensure it’s positioned correctly.
Proper footwear is crucial for preventing recurrence. Wear well-fitting shoes with adequate room for toes and good cushioning in pressure areas.
Toe separators may be helpful for soft corns between toes, keeping the area dry and reducing friction.
Avoid cutting or shaving corns and calluses yourself, as this can lead to injury, infection, or make the problem worse.

Prevention Tips

Preventing corns and calluses is often easier than treating established ones:

Choose proper footwear with adequate length, width, and depth for your feet. Shoes should have a thumb’s width of space beyond your longest toe.
Replace worn shoes that have lost their cushioning or developed pressure points from wear patterns.
Use protective padding proactively in areas where you’re prone to developing corns or calluses, especially when wearing new shoes.
Maintain healthy feet through daily moisturising and regular foot checks to catch problems early.
Address foot deformities early, as conditions like bunions or hammer toes often lead to secondary corn and callus problems.
Rotate footwear to avoid wearing the same shoes every day, giving shoes time to dry and reducing repetitive pressure patterns.

Special Considerations

Diabetic patients require special attention when dealing with corns and calluses. Reduced sensation means you might not feel pain that would normally alert you to problems, while slower healing increases infection risk. Professional treatment is essential for diabetic patients.

Athletes and active individuals often develop sport-specific corns and calluses. We can provide advice on protective measures and appropriate footwear for your particular activities.

Occupational factors may require workplace modifications or specialised protective measures. We can advise on strategies to minimise occupational foot stress.

Elderly patients may have difficulty with foot care and are more prone to developing corns and calluses due to age-related changes. Regular professional care may be necessary to maintain foot health.

Why Choose The Lower Limb Clinic?

Expert Care – Dr Richard Chasen’s 22+ years of experience and qualifications including Master of Health Science (Podiatry) ensure safe, effective treatment using proper techniques and sterile instruments.

Comprehensive Approach – We identify and address underlying causes like biomechanical problems, footwear issues, or foot deformities, not just remove the current corns and calluses.

Safe Procedures – Professional debridement eliminates the risks of home treatment with razors or other inappropriate tools that can cause injury or infection.

Quality Products – Access to medical-grade padding, cushioning, and foot care products that are more effective than typical retail options.

Convenient Location – Easily accessible from Caulfield, St Kilda, Brighton, and surrounding Melbourne areas with convenient parking and public transport access.

Extended Hours – Flexible scheduling with after-hours appointments to accommodate your work and lifestyle needs.

Ongoing Support – Regular maintenance appointments and monitoring to prevent recurrence and maintain foot comfort long-term.

Ready to Treat Your Corns and Calluses?

Don’t let painful corns and calluses limit your daily activities or footwear choices. Professional treatment provides safe, effective relief and addresses underlying causes to prevent recurrence.

Contact The Lower Limb Clinic today:

Phone: 03 9532 7455
Address: 558 Glen Huntly Rd, Elsternwick VIC 3185
Gap-Free Assessments available for eligible patients

We provide thorough assessment and professional treatment, helping you achieve comfortable, healthy feet that don’t limit your lifestyle or activities.

If you have more questions or need to schedule an appointment, contact us at The Lower Limb Clinic in Melbourne. We’re here to help you find relief and get back to your daily activities.

The Lower Limb Clinic Difference

Rapid 48 Hour Turn-Around

Our in-house laboratory enables us to deliver quality orthotics within a dramatically shortened time-frame, so you can get back on your feet faster.

Unrivaled Experience & Training

Our experienced team is led by Dr Richard Chasen, with over 20 years of experience treating heel pain, and extensive qualifications in orthotics and podiatry.