That bump on your toe won't go away. You've tried everything. Different shoes, padding, waiting it out, but it's only gotten worse. A bump on your toe could mean anything from a simple corn to a bunion needing treatment.

Nearly 1 in 3 adults have bunions, and that's just one type of toe bump. Add corns, calluses, and other foot growths, and bumps on toes are incredibly common.

At Summit Health, we help patients understand their foot problems and develop treatment plans that restore comfort and mobility. Many people delay care because they're unsure what they're dealing with.

Different types of bumps on your toes develop for different reasons, which is why diagnosis matters.

Common Toe Bumps: Bunions vs. Corns vs. Other Foot Growths

Bunions (Hallux Valgus)

A bunion is a bony bump that forms on the inside of your big toe joint. 

The bump itself is actually the misaligned bone: your big toe gradually shifts toward your second toe, pushing the joint outward and creating a visible, often painful protrusion.

Key facts about bunions:

• Bunions are overwhelmingly more common in women. Some studies show women are up to 15 times more likely to develop them than men
• The condition is progressive, meaning it worsens over time if you don’t treat it
• Over time, the skin around the bunion may become inflamed, swollen, and tender
• Some people develop a bursa (a fluid-filled sac) beneath the skin, increasing discomfort
• Bunions are rare in populations that traditionally go barefoot, suggesting that footwear plays a big role

Corns

A corn is a small, round, hardened bump of skin that typically forms on the top or side of your toes, often over a joint. Unlike bunions, corns develop from repeated friction or pressure, usually from poorly fitting shoes. 

Corns have a hard, yellowish center with a pointed tip, unlike calluses, which are flat and spread across a wider area.

There are three types of corns:

• Hard corns: Most common type; appear on the outer edge of your pinky toe or on the tops of toe joints
• Soft corns: Develop between toes where moisture creates a whitish, rubbery texture. A common area prone to blisters and infections
• Seed corns: Tiny, painless bumps that form on the soles of your feet

Calluses

Calluses are broader, flatter areas of thickened skin that usually appear on the ball of your foot, heel, or sole. 

Unlike corns, calluses spread across a wider area and typically don't have a central core. They develop naturally when your skin thickens to protect against constant rubbing.

• Some degree of callus formation on the bottom of your feet is actually normal
• Calluses spread across wider areas compared to corns
• They often develop in weight-bearing areas like heels, balls of feet, and sides of feet
• Calluses are often painless unless they become thick and irritated
• They form as a protective response to repeated friction

Other Toe Bumps

Other than bunions, corns, and calluses, other bumps can appear on toes:

• Hammertoes: Bent toes that form a hammer-like shape; often develop corns on top. Learn more about bunions, hammertoes, and treatment options
• Cysts: Small, fluid-filled sacs that can form near toe joints
• Warts: Viral growths that sometimes appear on toes
• Lipomas: Fatty growths that occasionally create toe bumps

What Causes Bumps on Toes and How to Prevent Them

Understanding what triggers toe bumps helps you prevent them or slow their progression.

Bunion Risk Factors and Causes

Bunions develop from a mix of factors, most beyond your control:

• Genetics: If your parents had bunions, you're more likely to develop them
• Foot structure: Flat feet, high arches, or loose joints in your foot increase the risk
• Footwear: High-heeled or narrow shoes for extended periods accelerate development
• Age and gender: More common in women and increases with age

Corn and Callus Risk Factors

Corns and calluses develop from friction and pressure. The main triggers are:

• Poorly fitting shoes: Poorly fitting shoes (too tight, too narrow, or with irritating seams that rub)
• Deformities: Foot deformities like hammertoes or bunions that push toes into abnormal positions
• High physical activity without proper footwear: High activity levels (runners and dancers are especially susceptible without proper footwear)
• Dry skin: This makes friction more likely to cause damage
• Rubbing or pressure: Repeated rubbing or pressure from activities or equipment

Prevention Strategies

The foundation for preventing most toe bumps is proper footwear and foot care. Key prevention steps include:

• Footwear fit: Wear shoes with adequate toe room and a wide toe box to prevent friction and pressure that cause corns and calluses while slowing bunion progression
• Heel height: Avoid high heels, especially for daily wear, which accelerate bunion development and increase pressure on forefoot areas
• Shopping timing: Buy shoes at the end of the day when your feet are slightly swollen to ensure a proper fit that won't become tight as the day progresses
• Socks: Wear socks to reduce the friction that creates corns and calluses
• Foot care: Moisturize your feet regularly and trim toenails straight across to prevent pressure against the shoe interiors

Treatment Options for Toe Bumps

Toe bump treatment depends on the type of bump and its severity. Most bumps on toes are manageable with conservative care, better footwear, padding, orthotics, and regular foot care. 

Conservative treatment options include:

• Footwear changes: Shoes with roomier toe boxes and lower heels relieve pressure and pain
• Padding and orthotics: Donut pads protect bumps, while cushioned insoles and custom orthotics redistribute pressure for immediate relief
• Skin care: Soak feet in warm water, use a pumice stone gently, and moisturize regularly to soften hardened skin
• Medications: Over-the-counter creams containing salicylic acid or urea can help soften and reduce corn and callus thickness (avoid if you have diabetes or neuropathy)
• Professional care: Regular visits with a podiatrist for debridement and monitoring prevent progression and catch problems early

For severe cases, surgical correction is highly effective, though it's less common than conservative approaches.

Can bunions go away on their own?

No, bunions don't go away on their own. The condition is progressive (meaning it gets worse over time). Early intervention with proper footwear and orthotics can slow progression and sometimes eliminate the need for surgery.

When to See a Doctor About Toe Bumps

Contact Summit Health if you experience any of the following:

• Persistent pain from a toe bump that affects daily activities
• Difficulty walking or wearing normal shoes
• Visible deformity that's worsening over time
• A bump that becomes red, warm, or shows signs of infection
• Any foot problems if you have diabetes (people with diabetes face a higher risk of infection from skin damage)
• Corns or calluses that don't improve with self-care after several weeks

Go to the emergency room immediately if you have:

• Severe pain that you can't tolerate or that suddenly worsens
• Signs of serious infection with fever (103°F or higher), warmth, and spreading redness
• An open wound or ulcer on your foot that won't stop bleeding or shows pus
• Inability to bear weight or walk due to severe swelling and pain
• Signs of circulation problems (pale, cool skin or numbness in your foot)

Solving Foot Issues at Summit Health

Summit Health's primary care physicians and podiatry specialists can evaluate your toe bump, determine what's causing it, and recommend the right treatment plan. 

Whether through in-person visits, virtual appointments, or home-based care, we're here to help you get back to comfortable walking.

Contact your nearest Summit Health practice to get started with a podiatrist today.