Dr. Nazmul Hasan BHMS

In our day to day activities as we walk around or work sometimes a great force is applied to our hands and feet. Due to this, our skin is exposed to frequent friction and pressure. Skin often protects itself by building up corns and calluses i.e. thick, hardened layers of skin.

Cause:

• Corns and calluses are caused by frequent pressure or friction on skin. A corn is usually caused due to shoes that do not fit properly. It is a thickened skin on the top or side of the toe. Too tight shoes or shoes with high heels compress the areas of your feet and give rise to corns.
• Wearing shoes without socks can lead to repeated friction of your feet and cause corns and calluses.
• Farmers and rowers usually get calluses while working with tools in the fields which cause repeated pressure on their bare hands.
• More common in diabetic patients and athletes, as they has to run or walk more than others which increase the friction over the pressure points.

Signs and Symptoms of Corns:

• Corns are smaller in size with a hard center surrounded by inflamed skin. They usually develop on the top or side of toes.
• Calluses usually develop on the soles of the feet, under the heels or balls, on the palms or on the knees. Calluses are larger than corns.

Signs and Symptoms of Callosities:

• Thick and hardened skin with rough area
• Flaky, dry or waxy skin
• A hardened raised bump
• Dull aching pain or tenderness may be present

Complications:

Complications of corns and calluses are rare except in diabetic patients who are more prone to ulcers and infections.

Diagnosis:

Diagnosis can be made by examination of the skin by a doctor. CBC (Complete blood count) to exclude any infection. The X-ray to rule out other causes of hardened skin and also to know whether any physical abnormality is causing corns and calluses.

Treatment:

Eliminating the cause can be helpful in treating corns and calluses such as changing non fitting shoes. Calluses on the hand can be treated by wearing gloves during gardening or during activities that cause friction. If calluses are due to bunions (A bunion is when big toe points toward the second toe which causes a bump on the edge of foot, at the joint of big toe.) then it has to be treated accordingly. In case of diabetics’ skin should be protected and taken care to ensure that there is no infection.

Homeopathic Management:

Homeopathic medicines offer permanent cure for corns and calluses. Homeopathy also prevents its recurrences. It offers a painless and non-surgical cure for corns and calluses leaving behind no scar. A homeopathic doctor while examining the patient, will consider the location, sensation – whether there is any burning sensation or itching present. The individualization of the patient is important part of Homeopathy, considering the patients nature, his mental symptoms, desires and aversions and many more things. After that a homeopathic remedy is prescribed which leads to permanent cure.