|
A corn
is a localised area of hard, horny skin which forms as a result of constant rubbing or
pressure. A calluses are larger versions.
What to look for
Corn...
an area of hard, thick
skin, which may look a yellow colour
Corns between the toes can
be soft
Callus...
A callus is an area of
hard, dead skin up to an inch wide on the soles of the feet, the palms of the hands, or
any area subject to friction.
Corns and calluses are formed
to protect the skin against friction or pressure. Corns generally occur on the toes and
balls of the feet, while calluses can develop on hands, feet, or anywhere there is
friction.
Causes
These are likely to develop
whenever there is pressure or excessive wear on the skin. Most are caused by ill-fitting
shoes. If your child develops a callus that has no clear source of pressure, it may be
hereditary. Feet spend most of their time in a closed, moist environment ideal for
breeding bacteria; staph infections can start when bacteria enter corns through breaks in
the skin and cause the infected corn to give off fluid or pus.
Calluses are usually easy to
fix.
Traditional Treatment
When the friction or excess
pressure is gone, the callus or corn will usually disappear as well. Always wear shoes
that fit you well, and usually leather will mould with the foot better than synthetic
materials.
You can buy over the counter
ointments and topically applied corn plasters, however be careful of the healthy tissue
surrounding the corn. Oral antibiotics are available if your corn is infected.
It is a good idea to scrap the
excess dead skin with a sharp scraper or scalpel knife. Do this until you
can see the soft skin underneath. Be very careful not to scrape away too
much skin as this can cause bleeding or introduce infection
Alternative/Natural
Treatments
Herbal Therapies -
Apply a
calendula (Calendula
officinalis) salve
two or three times a day to corns or calluses to soften tissue and prevent inflammation.
Personal Care -
The best solution to this problem is to remove the cause of the friction, but until
you do that you can follow the remedies below for good results.
Soak yourself in a bath to
soothe and soften the skin, then use a pumice stone to rub over the corn..
Apply hydrocortisone cream
or a calendula-based ointment to a cracked callus. Aloe cream is also good for soothing
and healing the skin.
Elevate your feet and
expose them to fresh air whenever possible.
When you go to sleep, place
a crushed
comfrey leaf over the corn and put on an old
sock. Repeat for 3 nights.
Prevention
Buy appropriate and
comfortable shoes and beware of tight, high heels. If you wear high or otherwise
constricting shoes for fashion reasons, try to take them off whenever possible during the
day to give your feet a rest. You can also wear other more comfortable shoes to and from
work.
When to seek further
professional advice
you cut a corn or callus
a corn discharges pus or
clear fluid; it is infected or ulcerated.
you develop a corn and you
suffer from
diabetes, Atherosclerosis, or other Circulatory Problems.
|
