Corn vs. Bunion - What’s the Difference?

Two of the most common foot pain offenders, especially in adults, are corns and bunions, which might seem similar but are actually very different. Understanding the corn vs bunion difference is crucial for foot health. Corns are usually small, circular areas of thickened skin that form on the tops or sides of your toes. On the other hand, bunions are bony bumps that develop on the joint at the base of your big toe.

Our feet are overworked parts of our body; it’s no wonder they develop various issues that always make it to the list of scary foot facts! What are the causes of these foot conditions? How do you treat them? Do footwear choices matter? Let us answer all these questions and more!

What is a Corn?

Let’s focus on one foot issue at a time. So, what exactly is a corn? It’s a thickened, rough area of skin that results from friction or pressure. Essentially, it’s your skin’s way of protecting itself from constant rubbing or squeezing. You can blame ill-fitting shoes that pinch or put pressure on specific areas of your feet or repetitive movements, like walking or running, in the same type of footwear.

Corns often come with pain and skin irritation, especially when you press on them or wear tight shoes. You can develop either of the types of corns:

• Hard corns, which usually form on the tops of your toes or the sides of your feet
• Soft corns, which are pliable and give a rubbery texture between your toes
• Seed corns, which usually pop up on the soles of your feet and can be quite painful due to their location

What is a Bunion?

Now, the other half of the foot corn vs bunion struggle: bunion. This condition involves a bony bump that forms on the joint at your big toe’s base, which pulls the tip of your big toe toward the smaller toes.

The common culprits include improper footwear like tight or narrow shoes, high heels, and arthritis. For some, it’s hereditary. Symptoms to watch out for include pain and tenderness around the big toe joint, swelling, and visible toe misalignment.

What makes bunions even more frustrating is that they come in two types: a regular bunion and a tailor’s bunion. The former forms on the big toe joint (the inner side of your foot), while the latter, also known as a bunionette, develops on the outside of the foot at the base of the little toe. They add a layer to the simple question, “What is a bunion vs corn?”

Corn vs. Bunion: Key Differences

Let’s summarize the bunion vs corn debate by highlighting their fundamental differences. Regarding location, corns affect the surface of the skin of your toes, while bunions affect the joint of your big toe. Friction or pressure causes corns, whereas structural issues cause bunions. If we look at the two, corns appear as thick, toughened areas of skin, while bunions are bony bumps at the joint.

Both corns and bunions cause discomfort but in different ways. Corns bring localized skin pain, discomfort, and tenderness, especially under pressure, while bunions cause joint pain, swelling, and inflammation. Treating corns involves methods you can do at home, while bunions need conservative treatments. Corns may not necessarily worsen, but bunions can progressively become more painful and deformed over time.

Lastly, both conditions are preventable through proper footwear. You may need to add adequate cushioning and foot moisturizing for corns and orthotics for bunions.

Tailor’s Bunion vs Corn: What Sets Them Apart?

Here are two subtopics that fall under our main bunion vs. corn discussion: regular or standard bunion vs. tailor’s bunion and tailor’s bunion vs. corn. As mentioned, a tailor’s bunion or bunionette forms at the base of your pinky toe, while a standard bunion forms on the base of the big toe. Now, what makes the tailor’s bunion vs. corn confusion a thing?

It’s possible to confuse the two because corns can also form on the pinky toe. Both can involve visible enlargements, but corns only affect the skin, while tailor’s bunion involves toe deformation. Symptoms of a tailor’s bunion include pain and swelling around the little toe. Corns, however, often have a yellowish appearance and can be painful or tender.

Treatment for tailor’s bunions often starts with conservative measures like wearing wider shoes and orthotic inserts. Corns, meanwhile, can usually heal by moisturizing and trimming away the thickened skin.

When Should You See a Doctor?

If you’re experiencing persistent pain or if walking becomes increasingly difficult, it’s time to seek professional medical help. If you’ve been using over-the-counter treatments with little to no success, that’s another signal to consult a doctor. At first glance, bunions and corns might seem similar, but doctors treat them differently.

Your doctor might recommend an X-ray to get a clear picture of the extent of a bunion’s bone deformation and plan the best course of treatment. Non-invasive methods like custom orthotics or even physical therapy can offer relief. In more severe cases, surgery might be necessary to correct the bone alignment. In contrast, medical professionals typically treat corns by trimming away thickened skin or providing more potent topical treatments than what you can buy over the counter.

Remember, it’s always better to address foot issues sooner rather than later to prevent long-term problems. Besides, who wants to suffer from foot pain?

Treatment Options for Corns

One positive aspect of corns is that you have a few go-to treatment methods that are both simple and effective. You can soak your feet in warm water to soften the skin, rub a pumice stone over the corn, and apply a good moisturizing cream.

If soaking and scrubbing aren’t cutting it, consider some over-the-counter salicylic acid liquids, gels, or pads. Apply these to the corn, but avoid getting anything on healthy skin. Salicylic acid softens and loosens the thickened skin, allowing for easier removal.

Of course, the best treatment is prevention. Always wear proper footwear that fits well. Look for options that offer both support and enough room for your toes to move freely. If the insides of a shoe rub on your toes, they’re probably too tight, and you should consider a different style. Cushioning pads can also save your feet!

Treatment Options for Bunions

Undeniably, bunions bring more challenge in the toe corn vs bunion fight, but dealing with bunions doesn’t always have to mean surgery right off the bat. You can start with bunion pads, orthotics (those custom-made shoe inserts), and toe spacers.

When these non-invasive measures aren’t enough, particularly if the pain is impacting your quality of life or mobility, surgical intervention might be the only answer. The good news is that modern surgical techniques are far less daunting than they used to be!

In terms of long-term management, maintaining a healthy weight to reduce pressure on your feet is crucial. Regular stretching exercises can also keep your feet flexible and relieve tension. Always opt for well-fitted footwear with plenty of toe room to avoid exacerbating the problem. And remember, catching it early on and taking proactive steps can simplify bunion management and prevent it from worsening over time.

How to Prevent Corns and Bunions

We can’t highlight prevention enough when it comes to corns and bunions. Again, the proper footwear is always the first step. Invest in shoes that fit well and provide both comfort and support. Your toes should always have a bit of wiggle room, too.

Foot care is another key factor. Keep your feet happy by regularly moisturizing and exfoliating. Dry, cracked skin can make you more prone to developing corns. Stretching exercises also play a significant role in foot health. Simple stretches can improve alignment and reduce tension, so flex and extend your toes or roll a tennis ball under your foot.

Speaking of stretches, there are a couple you can easily incorporate into your routine. Try standing on tiptoes to strengthen your arches or doing toe touches to enhance flexibility. These exercises help improve foot alignment and reduce pressure, making corns and bunions less likely to develop.

Experience Bunion and Corn Relief With KURU

Your feet carry you through life’s daily adventures; when you take care of them, they can take care of you, too! Unfortunately, there are many ways to develop foot problems, from aging and genetics to wearing improper footwear. Corns and bunions are two typical results of these factors, and they can make even simple tasks such as walking painful.

The corn vs bunion debate comes from the fact that both conditions cause discomfort and look similar. However, they are two different problems that require specific treatments. Corns are generally skin issues, while bunions are joint and bone problems. The former is treatable with home remedies or over-the-counter products, while the latter often requires medical intervention. Regardless, both need the right footwear choices for prevention and care.

At KURU Footwear, we design shoes that promote foot health and alleviate common foot problems. Our patented KURUSOLE technology provides superior arch support and cushioning, which helps distribute pressure evenly across the feet. This design reduces the friction and pressure points that contribute to corn formation. Additionally, our ergonomic designs encourage proper foot alignment, potentially alleviating the discomfort caused by bunions.

For those already dealing with foot issues, our men’s and women’s shoes offer the comfort you need to help reduce pain and facilitate better mobility. The high-quality materials we use in our footwear ensure breathability and durability, keeping your feet comfortable throughout the day.

Everyone deserves to walk pain-free. When corns, bunions, and other foot health issues interfere with your daily life, take action. With KURU, you can find the perfect pair to support your journey toward healthier feet.

Sourcing

• Corns and calluses. Mayo Clinic (May 2024)
• Bunions and Corns. Manhattan Foot Specialists (November 2023)
• How To Identify and Treat Seed Corns on Feet. Healthline (January 2021)

About Us

At KURU, we're on a mission to help you Heel Better™ with footwear technology designed to relieve foot pain, so you can live a life you love. Since launching our innovative technology in 2008, we’ve received more than 37,000 five-star reviews from thousands of customers who tell us their KURU shoes helped them get back to doing what they love.

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