CORNS AND CALLOSITIES
- WHAT IS CORN?
Corn is a small, thick, round area of skin having hard canter surrounded by inflamed skin. It usually appears t less weight-bearing sites of feet such as toes and their tops and sides. Sometimes it may appear on weight-bearing areas too.
- WHAT IS A CALLUS?
A callus is a hard, thick patch of skin that is relatively larger in size having an irregular shape. Usual sites of callus formation are weight-bearing areas of the bottom of the feet such as the big toe, ball of the foot, heel, etc.
Calluses are also often seen on hands. For instance, calluses form where there is repeated friction or rubbing of hands– like on the tips of fingers of guitar players or the hands of gymnasts, weightlifters, or craftsmen.
- WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CORNS AND CALLUS?
Corn and callus are often confused with each other. However, corn and callus both are hard, thickened areas of skin, the distinguishing characteristic that differentiates between the two is that the callus is a widespread superficial thickened area of skin that is not painful, while corn is round shaped generally a size of a pea, that is deep and usually painful.
- WHAT CAUSES IT?
Corns and calluses develop from repeated friction, rubbing or irritation, and pressure on the skin. Corns and calluses typically form on the bony or prominent areas of feet. On the hands, they (more likely calluses) form on the areas where there is ongoing rubbing against the skin.
The hardened layers of skin of corns and calluses are actually your body’s way of protecting the underlying skin from irritation and pressure.
- HOW CAN WE PREVENT IT?
Feet are an often overlooked part of the body until a problem develops. With a little bit of attention and care, most cases of corn or calluses can be prevented. Things to keep in mind include:
- Wear shoes that are comfortable and fit well. Shoes should support your feet, be well-cushioned, and have shock-absorbing soles. The toe area of shoes should have enough length and width so toes are not rubbing against the shoe or other toes.
This would also mean avoiding high-heeled narrow-toed shoes that push the toes forward causing them to rub against the shoe or each other.
- Avoid hard-soled or leather-soled shoes unless they have enough padding (or you add padding) to cushion your feet.
- Wear socks with your footwear. Make sure socks are snug enough that they don’t bunch up under your feet.
- Use cushioned or padded insoles. If you have had corns or calluses in the past, you may want to ask your doctor about customized insoles. These inserts can even out weight-bearing forces on the bottom of your foot to prevent calluses from forming.
- Use lamb’s wool (not cotton) between your toes to relieve friction and soften corn.
- Wear gloves when you are doing manual labor or working with heavy or rough materials that can damage the skin on your hands or fingers.
- Inspect your feet daily and keep them clean. Wash your feet in warm soapy water, dry them and apply a moisturizing foot cream. This helps keep your skin soft and supple.
- Keep your toenails trimmed.
- Don’t walk barefoot.
- Apply a daily foot powder to keep your feet dry if you have sweaty feet.
- MANAGEMENT AND CARE OF CORNS AND CALLUS:
- Surround your corn or callus with donut-style adhesive pads or make your own donut pad from moleskin. (The corn should be in the center hole area of the donut.) Moleskin padding and other corn and callus products can be purchased at your local drugstore. Padding helps protect the corn or callus from irritation and relieves pain and pressure.
- Wear properly sized and shaped footwear. Wear shoes with increased width and height in the toe area. Consider buying footwear at the end of the day when your feet are slightly swollen.
- Keep your toenails trimmed. Long toenails can make your toes push against the top of your shoe causing friction and increased pressure. Cut toenails straight across. Do not round the corners.
- If your corns or calluses are painful, apply a cold pack to reduce the pain and swelling for no more than 10 to 20 minutes at a time.
- Never try to cut out, shave away or remove corns or calluses with a sharp object.
- Do not try to cut/ trim corns or calluses if you have diabetes/ have poor circulation/ are prone to infections / have delicate skin.
- HOW HOMEOPATHY HELPS:
Homeopathic medicines are ultra-diluted potentized (energized) micro medicines that are safe and effective. The medicines reduce the hardening of the skin and thus the size and area of corn/ callus gradually reduce in size and vanishes without leaving any scar.
Well-chosen Homeopathic remedy, selected on the basis of the totality of symptoms after detailed case-taking of the patient gives the desired result.
- ANTRIM CRUD: Indicated in painful large corns. The horny appearance of feet. Digestive disturbances are often associated with corn. The patient has a thick white-coated tongue.
- SEPIA: Indicated in inflamed corns of feet with offensive perspiration of feet with the coldness of legs and feet. The patient is usually a weak, yellow-complexioned woman who is very sensitive to cold and gets angry very easily.
- SILICEA: Indicated in painful corns that are very sore and sensitive to touch. The patient has icy cold sweat on their feet that have an offensive smell. The patient is extremely sensitive to colds. Also indicated in infections developed in corn.
- LYCOPODIUM: Indicated in painful corns and callosities of soles with offensive and viscid foot sweat. The patient is usually presented with either digestive disturbances or urinary disturbances. The patient has severe flatulence.
- GRAPHITES: Indicated in painful corns of soles and callosities of hands. The patient is usually obese having severe constipation. The skin is very unhealthy that suppurates readily.
- AGARICUS: Indicated in corns with severe burning of soles. The patient has needling pain inside the corns. Corns associated with itching of soles.
- CARBO ANIMALS: Indicated in painful corns that are sore to the touch. The patient has profuse and offensive-smelling night sweat with great debility.