Corn
A corn on the ball of the foot. The pale ring is the thickened skin and the denser spot at the centre is the core — that core is what presses inward and does the hurting, and it is why paring the surface alone gives only brief relief.
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Dermapedia / CompareConditions
Corn vs Bunion
A corn is a small patch of thickened skin over a pressure point. It can be pared down, and it goes away if the pressure does. A bunion is a change in the bone and joint at the base of the big toe. Padding and wider shoes can ease it, but only surgery changes the bone.
At a glance
| The difference | Corn | Bunion |
|---|---|---|
| What the bump is made of | Skin | Bone and joint |
| What your toe looks like | Normal | Angled inward |
| What it feels like | Sharp, localised | Aching, joint-deep |
Bunion
A bunion is bone, not skin. Look at the direction of the big toe rather than the size of the bump — here it angles clearly toward the second toe, which is the change that defines a bunion and the reason no amount of filing will alter it.
Side by side
The differences that matter
What the bump is made of
Corn
Skin
Layers of hardened skin with a hard core in the middle. It sits on the surface, and the skin over it moves when you press.
Bunion
Bone and joint
The joint at the base of the big toe has shifted. The bump is the head of the bone pushing out. It feels hard and deep, and it does not move.
Where it is
Corn
Anywhere pressure lands
Tops and sides of toes, between toes, the ball of the foot.
Bunion
Base of the big toe
Almost always the inside edge of the foot. A smaller version at the base of the little toe is called a bunionette.
What your toe looks like
Corn
Normal
The big toe still points straight ahead.
Bunion
Angled inward
The big toe points toward the second toe. Over time it may cross over or under it.
Does it change over time
Corn
Comes and goes
Better with different shoes, back again with the wrong ones.
Bunion
Slowly gets worse
Bunions are progressive. They do not reverse on their own.
What it feels like
Corn
Sharp, localised
Like standing on a small stone.
Bunion
Aching, joint-deep
Sore around the joint after standing or walking, and often worse in narrow shoes.
What helps
Corn
Take the pressure off
Wider shoes, padding, and paring by a professional gives relief the same day.
Bunion
Manage it, or fix it surgically
Wide, low-heeled shoes, bunion pads, toe spacers and orthotics reduce pain. They do not straighten the joint. Surgery is the only thing that corrects the alignment.
Can it be reversed without surgery
Corn
Yes
Remove the pressure and the skin returns to normal.
Bunion
No
Splints, spacers and exercises can ease symptoms. No published evidence shows they realign the joint. Products sold as bunion correctors manage comfort, so be wary of any that promise to straighten the toe.
Who tends to get it
Corn
- The pattern — Shoes that press in one spot, or a toe that sits proud.
Bunion
- The pattern — Often runs in families. More common in women. Narrow or high-heeled shoes make an existing tendency worse faster.
Related
Corn
- Corn vs callus
- Plantar wart vs corn
Common questions
Questions Patients Ask
Bunion vs corn — what is the difference?
A bunion is a change in the joint at the base of the big toe, so the bump is bone and nothing shaves off. A corn is thickened skin over a pressure point, and it can be pared down. A bunion often grows a corn or callus on top of it, which is why people treat the skin while the joint underneath keeps pushing.
How do I know if it is a bunion?
Look at your big toe from above. If it angles in toward the second toe, that is a bunion. Then press the bump — a bunion is hard, deep, and does not move.
Can I have both at once?
Yes, and it is common. A bunion rubs against the shoe, so the skin over it thickens into a corn or callus. People often treat the skin and miss the joint underneath.
Do bunion correctors work?
They can ease pain and are worth trying for comfort. No published evidence shows splints, spacers or exercises realign the joint. Be sceptical of anything promising to straighten the toe.
Will a bunion get worse?
Usually, slowly. Bunions are progressive and do not reverse on their own. They are much easier to manage early than to correct late.
Is surgery the only fix?
Surgery is the only thing that corrects the alignment. Shoe changes, padding and orthotics manage symptoms well for many people, and plenty never need an operation.
Why is my bunion suddenly red and hot?
An inflamed bunion joint needs assessment, and gout can look very similar in the same spot. That one is worth an appointment rather than a wait.