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What’s the Difference Between a Corn and a Verruca?

Updated: Aug 6

If you’ve ever noticed a painful lump or rough patch on the bottom of your foot or in between your toes, you might have wondered: WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?! And then Googled furiously to find you have A Corn. Or maybe - A Verruca. But what's the difference?


a verruca has a warty appearance - and hurts when you squeeze it
a verruca has a warty appearance - and hurts when you squeeze it
















Although they can look quite similar, corns and verrucas (also known as plantar warts) are two very different conditions that require different treatments.


Understanding the difference is the first step toward treating the problem effectively.

What Is a Corn?

A corn is a small, thickened area of skin that forms as a result of pressure or friction. They are most commonly found on the tops or sides of toes or the balls of the feet—anywhere your foot might be rubbing against shoes or bearing excess weight.

Key signs of a corn:

  • Hard, dense centre (often cone-shaped)

  • May feel like you're “walking on a pebble”

  • Skin around the corn is usually dry

  • Caused by mechanical pressure or ill-fitting shoes

  • Not contagious

  • Painful on direct pressure (push on it)


    an enormous corn! this had been treated with a corn plaster - that had made things a lot messier.
    an enormous corn! this had been treated with a corn plaster - that had made things a lot messier.

What Is a Verruca?


A verruca, on the other hand, is caused by a viral infection—specifically, the human papillomavirus (HPV). Verrucas usually appear on the soles of the feet (although they can occur on and in between the toes too) and can spread from person to person through direct contact or shared surfaces, such as communal showers or swimming pools.


Key signs of a verruca:

  • Often has tiny black dots in the centre (blood vessels)

  • Typically painful when pinched or squeezed from the sides

  • Skin over the verruca is often rough or cauliflower-like

  • Caused by a virus

  • Contagious


Verrucas can vary in size and number, and in some cases, they may resolve on their own—though this can take months or even years.


How Can You Tell the Difference?


It can be tricky to tell a corn from a verruca, especially when they appear in similar areas of the foot. Here are a few clues: -

Feature

Corn

Verruca

Cause

Pressure/friction

Viral infection (HPV)

Appearance

Hard, dense centre

Black dots, rough surface

Pain

Hurts with direct pressure

Hurts when pinched

Contagious?

No

Yes

Common sites

Tops/sides of toes, pressure points

Soles of the feet

Skin lines

Run through the corn

Skin lines often disrupted

If you're unsure what you're dealing with, a podiatrist can assess it quickly and accurately. At Oxfordshire Chiropody & Podiatry, I use a dermatoscope (close-up skin microscope) to confirm diagnosis.

Why Does It Matter?

Because they have different causes, corns and verrucas need different treatments. For example:

  • Corns are best treated by reducing pressure, gently removing the thickened skin, and adjusting footwear alongside using protective pads or silicone devices. Corn plasters are a huge no-no; they contain acid that will damage the skin causing scar tissue - guaranteeing the reoccurrence of the corn!

  • Verrucas are in the top layer of the skin, where there are no circulating immune cells. Most treatments are aimed at damaging the skin to stimulate the immune system - so that the body gets rid of the virus.

Trying to treat a verruca like a corn—or vice versa—will most likely be ineffective and potentially make the problem worse.

When to See a Podiatrist

If you have a painful spot on your foot that isn’t improving, or you’re unsure whether it’s a corn or a verruca, it's best to seek professional advice. A podiatrist can help with an accurate diagnosis and recommend a treatment plan tailored to your needs.

Need help with a corn or verruca? Book an appointment with Felicity today!


Disclaimer: the advice in this blog is for information only and is not a replacement for medical advice.


 
 
 
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