Difference Between Callus and Wart (With Table)

People often get confused about certain medical ailments. If we look deeper, often people get confused with skin allergies since they more or less look the same. This happens because of similar appearance, discoloration, and other similar factors. Callus and Wart are two such examples. Callus and Wart develop on the skin surface of the foot region.

Tight shoes or sandals impose severe friction on the underside of the feet, and it gradually develops into a callus. The Callus is one of the most common skin diseases that occur across the world. The rubbing and pressure from the shoes create calluses on the skin. This disease is also known as Tyloma. As the disease does not heavily impact the skin with pain, the treatment for calluses can be quite simple.

People affected with calluses can try out natural remedies like soaking the foot in hot water. After consulting doctors, one can also apply the prescribed creams to heal these patches. 

What is Wart?

The term Wart is quite confusing for a non-native English speaker. As a lot of people tend to interchangeably use the terms Callus and Wart, it is necessary to understand the significant differences between these two words. Wart is used to describe the skin disease that occurs when one’s skin is exposed to several issues.

The Wart is a skin disease that is found at the surface of the skin. The appearance of a wart can be small and bulgy. The round and bulgy warts tend to be a little away from the surface of the skin. More than often, warts are found in the bottom region of the foot. 

Warts are usually known to be more painful when compared to calluses. But this is solely when warts become much more dangerous. Commonly warts do not create much harm to the skin and fall off on their own. The primary cause of warts is when a person very often walks out barefooted. 

This disease is caused by HPV or the papillomavirus. The virus pushes warts to grow in size when in contact. If warts fail to fall off and persist, it is better to consult a doctor. Medication, surgery, and cryotherapy can be used to remove these diseases. 

Main Differences Between Callus and Wart

  1. The Callus is a kind of skin disease that develops from friction in the foot. Meanwhile, the Wart is caused by the HPV or the human papillomavirus. 
  2. Speaking of the pain it induces, the Callus is less painful, whereas the Wart is more painful.
  3. In terms of appearance, the Wart is usually identified as it looks separated from the skin surface. It is bulgy. On the other hand, the Callus is a solid and thick group of dead cells. 
  4. One may get Callus if their foot is exposed to friction and extreme pressure. On the other hand, one may get a wart if they walk barefooted in a public place.
  5. One should wear comfortable footwear to avoid Callus, whereas one should not walk barefoot in public. 

Conclusion

Callus and Wart both are skin diseases that may develop on the skin surface due to several reasons. The main reason is the friction on foot and wearing uncomfortable footwear that leads to pressure and walking barefooted in public places. 

People who get any of the two skin infections must surely visit the doctor for further consultation. One may also try natural home remedies to revive their skin, like the soaking of foot in warm water and applying the doctor-prescribed creams. When speaking of pain, the Callus is less painful when compared with a wart as it is not only painful but can be difficult for people. 

References

  1. https://www.dermveda.com/articles/is-it-a-callus-or-a-wart
  2. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/adc.80.1.97