corns

What are corns: causes and symptoms? What are different home remedies available for treatment?

Corns are localized thickening of the skin. A corn is a highly concentrated callus that occurs at a pressure point, such as the top of the toe or under a toe joint.
- Corns are usually regular in shape and can be white, gray, or yellow.
- It generally happens when there is excessive pressure and friction feet.It happens on the dry area of the feet.
- Corns are formed in order to protect the skin and the structures below them. Thus, they protect the damage and injury to the inner layers of the skin. But if the corns are not treated on time, they can become really painful.
- Some corns get entangled with skin nerves and cause much pain. It can cause swelling and inflammation of skin.

Types of Corns

- Hard corns that develop as a result of ill fitting shoes or toe distortion and most often occur on the tops and tips of the toes.
- Soft corns are much rarer and are caused as a result of bone abnormalities in the toes and occur mostly as a result of wearing shoes that are too tight.

Causes of Corns

- Wearing too tight or loose shoes or very high heels, tight socks, deformed toes.
- Walking on a hilly track.
- Abnormality in walking.
- Surgery to lower extremities.

Symptoms of Corns

- Found over the joints of the toes and on the soles of the feet.
- It is in the shape of a pyramid.
- The apex points inwards.
- They are tender when touched.
- It is sometimes painful.

Prevention of Corns

- Keep your feet clean and dry.
- Wear clean and dry socks.
- Always try shoes that have a natural shape to them.
- Avoid wearing shoes that are tight from toes.
- Try to wear extra padded shoes.
- Talk to a podiatrist if corns re-occur.
- Surgery should be done in extreme cases.
- Avoid wearing shoes at home.
- Eat balanced diet rich in green vegetables and fruits.

Home Remedies for Corns

- Soak feet in plain lukewarm water and then use a pumice stone to gently rub of the dead skin a little at a time.
- Apply castor oil.
- Rub papaya juice on corn affected area.
- Apply lemon on corn affected area and allow to rest for sometime.
- Pineapple juice is also applied to corn affected areas.
- Apply pulp of raw potato on corn affected area and cover it with a bandage.
- Soak a small piece of cloth in vinegar and bind it to the toe, leave it for a day and night.
- Soften corns with a mixture of crushed aspirin tablets and half a teaspoon each of lemon juice and water and wear cotton socks over them for a quarter of an hour. Rub off the softened corns with the use of a pumice stone. Moisturize with lotion afterward.
- For corns between the toes, dab on vitamin E oil and place a clean piece of cotton or a cotton ball over it.
- Make a compress with hot epsom salts, place on area overnight.

NOTE: Persons suffering from diabetes, or artherosclerosis should not treat a corn on their own, as it can increase the risk of infection.

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Calluses – Are you thick skinned?

Callusus are your skin’s way of protecting itself against repeated friction or pressure. This can be obtained from wearing sandals, shoes with no cushioning, or shoes that do not fit well, or if you have certain foot problems and with age you may get more of them as the fat pads on your feet thin out. Though unsightly, calluses are usually not a problem. Ones that form on your hands if you play tennis, or on your fingers if you play a string instrument, can actually be helpful. But if a blister forms underneath or if calluses becomes too thick and crack, they can be painful. Calluses that develop a thick center are called corns and usually develop on toes, where they are particularly tender.

If you get hard calluses on your feet :
- Scrub them away: Use a pumic stone regularly after showering or soaking your feet in warm water. Follow up with a thick moisturizer.
- Wear properly fitting shoes: Use shoes inserts, especially if you have an underlying foot problem.
- Use a cream: Prescription creams and ointments containing urea or lactic acid, at 40 to 50% strength, are most effective. Called keratolytic agents, they chemically break down and soften the thick skin of the callus. Over the counter products often contain the same chemicals as prescription products, but at lower concentration, so they may be less effective or not effective at all. Those containing salicyclic acid may be harmful if not used correctly, so follow the label directions carefully.
- Beware of corn cutters: If you scrape too hard or use the file on wet skin, you can end up abrading healthy skin and risking infection. Use it cautiously or not at all if you have diabetes or circulatory problems.