Warts vs. Corns: How to Tell the Difference (and Why It Matters)

Foot pain often begins with something small—a tiny bump, a rough patch of skin, or a spot that hurts when you walk. At first glance, it can be hard to tell whether you’re dealing with a wart or a corn, and many people mistake one for the other. But knowing the difference is essential because the two conditions require very different treatments.

Here’s how to recognise each one—and why proper diagnosis matters for your comfort and long-term foot health.

What Are Corns?

Corns are areas of thickened, hardened skin that develop due to constant friction or pressure. They tend to appear on places where the skin rubs against shoes or neighbouring toes, such as the tops or sides of toes, between toes, or under the ball of the foot.

A corn usually has a firm, hard centre surrounded by inflamed skin. It may be tender when pressed directly but often doesn’t bother you at rest. Importantly, corns are not caused by infection and are not contagious.

Why Corns Form

Common reasons include:

• Tight or poorly fitting footwear

• Toe deformities, such as hammer toes

• Regular use of high heels

• Excessive pressure on certain parts of the foot

Anything that increases rubbing or compressive forces can trigger a corn.

What Are Warts?

Warts on the feet—known as plantar warts—are completely different. They are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which infects the outer layer of skin. Because they are viral, warts can spread, either to other parts of your own foot or to other people.

Plantar warts often appear on weight-bearing areas like the heel or the ball of the foot. They have a grainy, rough texture, and may contain tiny black dots, which are actually small clotted blood vessels.

Why Warts Form

Warts develop when HPV enters through small breaks or weak spots in the skin. You’re more likely to get them if you:

• Walk barefoot in public places such as gyms, swimming pools, or communal showers

• Have sweaty feet that soften the skin

• Have a lowered immune response

• Share footwear or socks with someone who has warts

Warts can be painful, especially when pressure causes them to grow inward.

How to Tell the Difference

Corns and warts may look similar, but several clues can help you distinguish between them.

A corn is caused by pressure, feels firm and raised, and usually hurts most when you press directly on it. Your natural skin lines typically continue through a corn, and you won’t see any black dots.

A wart, on the other hand, is caused by a virus. It often has a rough surface, may be flat or raised, and tends to hurt when you squeeze the sides rather than press straight down. Warts interrupt your normal skin lines and may show those characteristic black dots.

A simple rule of thumb:

• Pain with direct pressure → more likely a corn

• Pain when squeezed from the sides → more likely a wart

Why It Matters: Different Problems Need Different Treatments

Treating Corns

Because corns develop from pressure and friction, treatment focuses on reducing these forces. This may involve:

• Safely removing the hardened skin

• Using pads, toe spacers, or cushioning

• Fixing issues with footwear

• Using custom orthotics to redistribute pressure

• Addressing underlying toe deformities

Treating a corn like a wart can prolong discomfort and fail to fix the underlying cause.

Treating Warts

Warts require treatments that focus on the viral infection. Options include:

• Cryotherapy (freezing the wart)

• Prescription topical treatments

• Needling therapy

• Laser therapy

• Boosting the local immune response

Trying to cut or pick at a wart at home can lead to infection or help the virus spread.

When to See a Podiatrist

You should seek professional help if:

• The spot is painful, growing, or spreading

• You can’t tell whether it’s a wart or a corn

• Home treatments haven’t worked

• You have diabetes, circulation issues, or reduced sensation

• The area is changing in colour or shape

A podiatrist can make an accurate diagnosis and recommend the right treatment to fix the problem effectively.

Final Thoughts

Warts and corns may appear similar, but they come from very different causes and require different approaches. Understanding how to tell them apart can save you pain, prevent complications, and ensure you receive the right care from the start.

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