Anyone who’s ever gone for a walk, or spent more than a moment on their feet, will tell you that foot pain has a way of making every step a little more difficult than the last. A Durlacher corn in the foot is one of those somewhat obscure but truly painful conditions that can make walking particularly uncomfortable. The corn is named after Lewis Durlacher (1792–1864).

Among the myriad of possible conditions that can bring discomfort underfoot, a Durlacher corn in the foot is one of those conditions you hopefully won’t encounter too often, but understanding it can help you identify and address it properly.

It was named after the 19th-century chiropodist Lewis Durlacher, who was first to describe this condition and relate it back to certain types of shoe wear and pressure.

This particular kind of corn is formed on a specific part of the fifth toe, and that’s exactly what makes it worse than other foot conditions.

In this guide, we’ll examine what a Durlacher corn is, what causes it, how you can identify it, and what treatment options are available to treat the pain involved.

Understanding Durlacher Corn in the Foot

A Durlacher corn is often also referred to as a “hard corn of the fifth toe” and occurs on the outside or lateral aspect of the little toe, often in the vicinity of the toenail or along the lateral surface of the toe itself.

Distinct from a more typical corn that appears on the top or tip of the toe, this is found in a place that is continually moving against the inside of shoes as you walk.

Essentially, this area is growing a normal response in a terribly awkward place.

How is it different from your average corn?

Most people are familiar with corn as hardened patches of skin that develop in response to repeated pressure and shearing forces, but the specific location of this and the relationship with the shoes makes this unconventional.

In truth, it’s an extension of the same skin-hardening process; it’s just happening on an area that is being repeatedly pushed in and shoved from the outside.

The foot skin there is quite a bit thinner, so the thickening presses quite aggressively onto underlying tissue and nerve endings, producing painful sensations with even light pressure.

Why is the fifth toe extra prone?

Outward projection isn’t usually your toes’ favorite thing, but the little toe just sits out a little farther from the rest and gets hit with more lateral shoe forces as a result.

Casual or overly tight shoes with high heels may also contribute to this, along with man-made materials or narrower footwear squeezing the toes laterally.

Repeated irritation causes thickening of keratin, which is the hard component of your skin cells, and this is how a corn begins.

Spotting Durlacher Corn in the Foot Symptoms

It’s unlikely you’ll miss this one if it pops up on your toe.

The consistently hardened patch of skin will feel roughly round, and it may be discolored slightly yellowish or grey due to the accumulated keratin.

You’ll also note that it seems to sit just below the skin surface without going through it, and relative to the rest of your foot it has a quite delicate texture.

Describe what kind of pain patterns you experience

Most commonly reported is a localized, sharp, stabbing sensation, from which many liken it to walking with something lodged like a small stone in the side of their small toe.

The pain is more likely to occur, or be intensified, when wearing enclosed footwear but ease when in sandals with an open toe area.

Touching the bump with a finger will generate a similar sensation immediately, and you may find that tapping or squeezing another part of your foot causes the pain to radiate to your toe.

When to contact a podiatrist

The good news is Durlacher corn is practically self-diagnosable, but the complex structures of your feet mean that visiting a podiatrist to get an expert opinion is always worth-while.

Of particular importance is that you have a podiatrists’ diagnosis if you are diabetic, you have increased symptoms of cellulitis, or you feel abnormal sensations such as numbness and tingling.

The podiatrist can confirm or exclude certain diagnoses and point you in the right direction for treatment options.

Treatment and management options

The key to successful long-term Durlacher corn treatment is twofold: Relief of the pain and solving the underlying problem preventing the occurrence re-occur.

Dealing solely with the immediate pain without addressing the underlying pressure contributors is a little more than a band-aid solution.

Immediate pain: what to do after diagnosis

A podiatrist will be able to relieve the bump pain by carefully and gently paring down the growth with a scalpel, causing just limited discomfort and a relatively quick healing period.

Over-the-counter anti-corn plasters (warts and verruca plasters can sometimes be used around the affected area for added protection, but caution should be taken) containing salicylic acid may help address the keratinous covering.

Constant abrasive pads can also wrap the area to prevent sole friction and pressure.

This type of treatment can be useful in reducing the granular kertain, but alone it is unlikely to prevent pumatic growth.

Focus on the footwear that caused it in the first place

Once a Durlacher corn has developed on a certain shoe, a substitute that is variable and accommodating as opposed to tight and stiff is a great amount of relief.

Knockers with a broad, rounded toe box that don’t squeeze the toes laterally are ideal, while highly variable shapes are best avoided.

Adding cushioning such as foam or silicone services helps put a handle on the friction and pressing experienced.

Supporting and realigning with shoe inserts, insoles, or custom orthotics is also a good idea, as is set, routine preventative foot care: such as launder and rotate your shoes and keep your toenails cut short to avoid injury or irritation to the surrounding tissue and skin.

If surmises persist regardless, a minor surgical procedure to excise the extra bony bump causing the pressure may need to be undertaken, which is also infrequently indicated on occasion.

If your footwear is causing issues, it will be apparent in this type of painful circumferential growth.

This is an overview of the causes, symptoms, how to treat it and prevent its recurrence.