Treatment of corns and calluses

Who among us has not rubbed calluses at least once? I don't think there are any! Today I propose to understand in more detail why they appear, and what are the methods of treatment of corns and calluses.

Calluses and corns are thickened areas of the skin that form as a result of friction or pressure on the skin. Despite the fact that we perceive them solely as a negative phenomenon, in fact, calluses and corns develop naturally in order to help protect the skin underneath.

For many, corns and calluses are synonymous, but this is not at all the case.

Calluses are smaller than corns and have a hard center surrounded by inflamed skin. It develops in places where there is constant friction and can be painful when pressed.

Calluses are rarely painful. It differs from calluses in size and shape and most often occur in places that are under the pressure of your weight, such as on the heels and forefoot.

Causes of corns and calluses

Some calluses and corns on the feet develop from poor walking, but most of people are caused by improper footwear. High-heeled shoes, unfortunately, are not our friends at all. :( It puts pressure on the toes and make women four times more likely than men to suffer from foot problems. But, as the saying goes, beauty requires sacrifice. :)

Other triggers for the development of calluses or corns include: deformity of the foot and wearing shoes without socks or sandals made of poor quality materials, which leads to friction on the feet.

If you or your child develops a callus that does not have a clear source of pressure, it is best to consult an orthopedist, as it may be a wart or inflammation caused by a foreign body, such as a splinter, that has got under the skin. Feet spend most of its time in an enclosed, moist environment that is ideal for fungal and bacterial infections to thrive. Therefore, you need to be especially careful.

How to prevent corns

Wear properly fitting shoes. A common cause of calluses and corns, as I have already mentioned, is shoes that do not fit in the size and shape of your foot.

To best fit shoes, I suggest trying this on at the end of the day, when your feet may be slightly swollen.

Use adhesive tape. Do not wait for the moment when you already rub your leg. Place a band-aid where the shoes are likely to rub, especially if it's new.

Check out the pedicure. Toenails that are too long can put extra pressure on your shoes and cause calluses.

Treatment of corns and corns

At the moment, there are many medications with which you can treat corns or calluses that bother you.

All of these products have the same active ingredient - salicylic acid.

Salicylic acid is a keratolytic, which means that it dissolves the protein (keratin) that makes up most of the skin. The use of salicylic acid will help to “dry out” the top of the skin, which will then allow for painless removal of dead tissue.

But not everyone can safely use salicylic products. People with diabetes or poor blood circulation should refrain from such treatments, as in these situations, the use of salicylic acid can potentially lead to the formation of skin ulcers.

Do not attempt to cut or shave off calluses and corns at home. This can lead to a dangerous infection of the surrounding tissues. This must be performed by an orthopedist or other medical professional.

In order to remove dead skin tissue, first soak your feet in warm water for 10 minutes, and then gently, in a circular motion, rub your feet with a pumice stone.

Apply a moisturizing lotion or cream to the affected area daily.

There are also folk remedies for the treatment of corns and calluses. These include:

• Apple vinegar. It is added to baths to soften corns.
• Castor oil. It also has a softening effect.
• Onion. Soak a slice of onion in table vinegar for several hours, and then apply to the corn, securing with adhesive tape. Leave this compress overnight, and use every night until the corn softens.
• Bread. Soak half a slice of stale bread in apple cider vinegar and secure it to the affected part of your leg with a Band-Aid. Wrap with plastic wrap and put on cotton socks. Your callus or corn should be gone by morning.
• Soda. To treat your corns with baking soda, mix water, baking soda, and lemon juice to make a paste. Apply the paste on calluses or corns and leave overnight. This remedy exfoliates dead skin cells and prevents infection.

Most calluses and corns gradually disappear when the friction or pressure that causes it stops. However, if you're not sure what's causing the callus, or if you're experiencing excessive pain, or if you're diabetic, it's worth seeing a board-certified dermatologist.