The first time you see it, panic hits. A hard, yellow bump on your toe… from someone else’s shoes. Your mind races: infection, fungus, something worse. It hurts when you walk. It looks ugly. And it showed up fast. Is it dangerous? Will it spread? Should you throw the shoes away or your
That sudden yellow bump after wearing second-hand shoes is usually your skin’s alarm system, not a medical disaster. Most of the time, it’s a corn or callus: thickened skin formed where your toe has been repeatedly squeezed or rubbed inside a shoe shaped for someone else’s foot. The pressure focuses on one small area, and your body responds by building a tiny “shield” of hard skin that looks yellow and feels like a pebble underfoot.
The fix is almost always simple: stop wearing the offending shoes, switch to well-fitted footwear with room around the toes, and gently soften the thick skin with warm soaks, a pumice stone, and moisturizer. Pads or gel protectors reduce friction while it heals. If the bump becomes very painful, red, swollen, or shows signs of infection, a podiatrist can safely remove the thickened skin and check for deeper problems, ensuring you walk away comfortable and reassured.
