Corn or verruca? How to tell the difference

Corns and verrucas are two of the most commonly confused foot problems — they can look similar, but they are caused by completely different things and need very different care.

What is a corn?

A corn is a small, concentrated area of hard skin caused by pressure or friction — often from footwear or the way you walk. Corns are not infectious. A handy clue: a corn is usually most painful when you press straight down on it.

What is a verruca?

A verruca is a wart on the foot caused by a virus (HPV), so unlike a corn it can spread — to other parts of your foot and to other people, often picked up in places like swimming pools and changing rooms. Verrucas often have tiny black dots in the centre and tend to hurt more when pinched from the sides.

Quick ways to tell them apart

• Cause: a corn is pressure; a verruca is a virus
• Does it spread? a corn does not; a verruca can
• Black dots? usually only verrucas
• Pain: a corn hurts pressed down; a verruca hurts pinched from the sides
• Skin lines: the lines of your skin run over a corn, but around a verruca

Because they are so easily mixed up, it is well worth having a professional take a look rather than guessing. I can check which you have and advise on the best treatment, at the Hessle clinic or on a home visit across Hull, Hessle and East Yorkshire. Get in touch or read more in the FAQs.