Is glycolic acid effective for treating corns on the feet?

Glycolic Acid for Corns on Feet: Not Recommended

Glycolic acid is not an appropriate treatment for corns on the feet and should not be used for this indication. The evidence shows glycolic acid is only studied and recommended for facial plane warts, not for corns or plantar lesions 1.

Why Glycolic Acid Is Wrong for Foot Corns

Evidence Limitations

• Glycolic acid has only Level 3 evidence (case series) with Strength of Recommendation D for facial plane warts, not corns 1
• The British Association of Dermatologists specifically studied glycolic acid 5-15% only for facial flat warts in children, with no data on corns or plantar lesions 1
• Glycolic acid is listed as an alternative treatment for plane warts and facial warts in guideline tables, but is completely absent from recommendations for plantar lesions or corns 1

Corns Require Different Treatment

• Corns have a hard, yellow keratin plug extending downward in a cone-shaped point that causes sharp pain—this requires mechanical removal, not chemical peeling 2
• The pathology of corns (localized hyperkeratosis with central core) is fundamentally different from warts (viral lesions), making wart treatments inappropriate 2, 3

What Actually Works for Corns on Feet

First-Line Treatment: Professional Debridement

• Manual debridement or paring with a scalpel by a trained podiatrist is the primary treatment for corns 2, 3
• After debridement, apply emollients and non-adherent dressings to protect the debrided skin 2, 3

Second-Line: Salicylic Acid (Not Glycolic Acid)

• 40% salicylic acid plasters under podiatrist supervision are effective, with 34% complete resolution at 3 months versus 21% with scalpel alone 4
• Salicylic acid plasters prolong time to corn recurrence and reduce pain more than scalpel debridement alone 4
• A combination of 1% cantharidin, 30% salicylic acid, and 5% podophyllin after tangential excision achieved 79.2% success in one session 5

Address Underlying Causes

• Properly fitting footwear with adequate toe box width and height reduces pressure and friction 2, 3
• Toe separators or silicone orthotic devices redistribute pressure for soft corns between toes 2, 3
• Therapeutic shoes or custom insoles are mandatory when foot deformity is present 2

Critical Safety Warnings

Never Use Chemical Corn Removers at Home

• Never allow patients to self-treat with chemical corn removers or plasters—this increases infection and ulceration risk, especially in diabetic patients 2, 3
• Seven diabetic patients developed severe foot ulceration and sepsis after applying corn cures, with four requiring forefoot surgery 6

High-Risk Patients Require Specialist Care

• Diabetic patients or those with peripheral arterial disease require conservative debridement due to higher complication risk 2, 3
• Corns are pre-ulcerative lesions in patients with PAD and require aggressive preventive management 2
• Referral to a foot care specialist for ongoing surveillance every 1-3 months is mandatory for high-risk patients 2

Prevention Strategy

• Daily foot inspection, especially between toes, to identify early lesions 2, 3
• Daily washing with careful drying between toes prevents moisture buildup 2, 3
• Never walk barefoot, in socks only, or in thin-soled slippers 2
• Apply emollients to dry skin, but never between the toes (increases maceration risk) 2