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Calluses and Corns

A corn that hurts with every step doesn't have to be cut, picked, or ignored. At our Orleans pharmacy, a licensed pharmacist can assess corns and calluses, prescribe a keratolytic treatment when appropriate, and — just as important — flag when your feet need a professional's care instead. Free with your Ontario health card.

Corns and calluses are thickened, hardened patches of skin that build up where there's repeated rubbing or pressure — the skin's way of protecting itself. The fix is removing the source of pressure and gently thinning the hardened skin — never cutting it yourself.

Corns vs. calluses

Corns are small, usually on the tops or sides of the toes, often with a hard centre that hurts when pressed. Calluses are larger and flatter, typically on the soles, and usually painless. Both are almost always caused by footwear or friction — foot deformities like bunions or hammer toes, altered gait, or simply shoes that don't fit. Foot pain affects about 30% of people and meaningfully impacts balance and mobility, so persistent lesions are worth treating properly.

Foot pain affects roughly 30% of the general population and increases with age — and poorly fitted footwear is the most common contributor to corns, calluses, and other foot problems. If you have diabetes, never self-treat foot lesions: see the note below.

Common signs and symptoms

Thick, hardened, raised patch of skin on toes, soles, or palms
A corn's hard central core that's painful with direct pressure
Flattened, rough, yellowish callus over pressure points
Discomfort with standing or walking

Treatments our Orleans pharmacist can prescribe

For your information only: in Ontario, our pharmacist can assess this condition and, when appropriate, prescribe from the medications listed below. This information is provided for educational purposes — it is not an offer to sell. These are treatments that require a pharmacist assessment, and the right option is chosen for you.

Keratolytic (skin-softening) agents: Salicylic acid

Self-care that helps

Salicylic acid corn/callus removers (pads, liquids, or plasters)
Cushioning corn pads and moleskin to take pressure off the sore spot
Pumice stones, callus files, and foam insoles
Urea-based softening creams for thick, dry skin
Properly fitted footwear — the single most important fix

Browse related over-the-counter options in our Calluses and Corns self-care collection, or ask us in store — our pharmacists will point you to what actually helps.

How the assessment works

1. Walk in or callNo appointment or referral needed. Drop by our pharmacy on St-Joseph Blvd in Orleans during opening hours, or call ahead.

2. Private consultationA licensed pharmacist reviews your symptoms, health history and medications in a short, private assessment.

3. Prescription in handIf appropriate, we prescribe and fill your treatment on the spot — you leave with what you need.

Frequently asked questions

Can I just cut or shave a corn off myself?

No — cutting skin at home risks wounds and infection, especially on feet. Safe options are gradual: salicylic acid to soften and thin the lesion, filing after soaking, and padding to relieve pressure. Our pharmacist can walk you through it.

I have diabetes — what should I do about calluses?

Never self-treat, and avoid OTC acid products entirely. Diabetic feet can develop serious complications from small wounds. We'll assess your feet and refer you to appropriate foot care — and it's a good prompt to book an annual professional foot exam.

Will the corn come back after treatment?

It will if the pressure source stays. Treatment thins the lesion; better-fitting shoes, insoles, or addressing a foot deformity keeps it from re-forming.

Is the pharmacist assessment covered by OHIP?

Yes. The minor ailment assessment is free with a valid Ontario health card. You only pay for the medication itself if one is prescribed, and that is often covered by your drug plan.

Do I need an appointment at your Orleans pharmacy?

No. Walk-ins are welcome during all pharmacy hours — Monday to Friday 9:00 AM–6:00 PM and Saturday 9:00 AM–3:00 PM. You can also call 613-824-3111 ahead of your visit.

When to see a doctor instead: If you have diabetes, poor circulation, or numbness in your feet, do NOT treat corns or calluses yourself — including with over-the-counter acid removers. See your pharmacist or a health-care provider first, as foot complications can become serious quickly.

Every step hurting?

Skip the walk-in clinic wait. Our Orleans pharmacists assess and prescribe for corns and calluses — free with your Ontario health card.

Call 613 · 824 · 3111 Hours & directions

Serving Orleans and east Ottawa — Fallingbrook, Avalon, Chapel Hill, Queenswood Heights, Blackburn Hamlet, Navan & Cumberland. 2746 St-Joseph Blvd, Unit 100, Orleans, ON K1C 1G5.