The Difference Between A Verruca And A Corn
Many people believe that verrucas and corns are the same things, when in fact, they are two very different conditions. Verrucas are caused by a virus and are therefore contagious, whereas corns are caused by pressure or friction and are not infectious. This mistaken belief often leads to people self-diagnosing and treating the wrong condition, which can have serious consequences.
What's the difference between a verruca and a corn?
A verruca is a type of virus that is highly contagious and mostly found on the soles of the feet. If it is scratched or knocked, it can spread to other parts of the body. They tend to thrive in moist areas like swimming pools, communal changing rooms, and showers. While verrucas are more common in children and young adults, anyone can develop one. Those with severe immunosuppression – meaning an inability to fight off infections and diseases – are more susceptible to creating large, persistent verrucas.
A verruca is a wart-like growth that can occur on the skin. They are caused by a virus and can take more than a year to incubate. Some people experience no pain from verrucas, while others may experience pain and discomfort for the entire time the virus is present.
If you are unsure whether a skin lesion is a verruca or a corn, there are some key differences to look for. Verrucas tend to disrupt the normal lines of the skin, appearing as broken or interrupted lines. You may also see tiny black dots and blood vessels in the verruca tissue. If you gently press on the skin around the lesion on either side and feel any pain, it is likely a verruca.
Corns are a type of callus that commonly forms on areas of the body subject to repeated pressure or friction, such as the joints of the toes and feet. They typically develop slowly, becoming yellow in colour from constant exposure to shoes or socks. A corn gradually builds up layers of thickened, dead skin in order to protect itself from further irritation.
A recent study has found that people with drier skin are more likely to develop corns. It is not yet clear why this is the case, but it does not seem to matter whether a person is young or old, or has oily or dry skin. If left untreated, a corn can become quite painful, hot and swollen.
Are foot corns contagious?
Corns are not like warts and won't spread from one person to another or around other parts of your body. Corns are, however, similar to calluses as they are both caused by friction.
Avoid getting corns by wearing footwear that fits properly and is comfortable, and try not to go barefoot. You may also need to watch your workload if you spend a lot of time on your feet.
While not contagious, corns can get infected. The skin around the corn can crack, and infection can occur. An infected corn will often appear red and swollen and can ooze pus.
In some more severe cases, corns can become ulcerated, meaning it has developed into an infected open sore. If you have a corn that appears to be infected or is causing you concern, you should consult a podiatrist.
Conclusion
If you're feeling unsure about what medical condition you might have, don't hesitate to ask your doctor or podiatrist for help. They are qualified professionals who can assist you with all of your foot care needs!
*This blog contains general information about medical conditions and is not advice. You must not rely upon the information in this blog as medical advice. Medical advice should always be sought from an appropriately qualified podiatrist such as ourselves.