Corns and calluses are areas of hyperkeratosis, or overgrowth of skin tissue. The skin thickens & hardens. Calluses most commonly form on the soles of the feet and sometimes on the hands or knees. Corns are small cone shaped areas of skin overgrowth that most often form on or between the toes. They can be either soft or hard. If they form between the toes, the moisture of the area keeps them soft; corns that form on top of the toes are typically hard.
Having a hammer toe or mallet toe may lead to a more severe form of callus called intractable plantar keratosis. This calluses forms as a result of a serious imbalance in weight bearing, with considerably more pressure being placed on one area of the foot than on others.
These growths can cause inflammation & pain. Corns especially may ache and be tender to the touch. Both corns & calluses usually form in response to repeated friction or pressure, such as from wearing ill-fitting shoes or performing certain tasks repeatedly. Other factors that may be involved include staphylococcus- or streptococcus-type infection, and an acid/ alkaline imbalance in the body
SYMPTOMS
Corns are usually found over the joins of the toes and on the soles of the feet. Symptoms include hard growths on the skin in response to direct pressure. Corns may be extremely sore and surrounded by inflamed, swollen skin. Some of the common symptoms of corns are:
* A hard growth on the skin of the toes.
* Pain when pressure is applied against the corn.
* White and rubbery bumps of skin.
* Sometimes redness and swelling around the corn, with severe discomfort.
CAUSES
Corns are usually formed as a result of pressure on the toes and skin surfaces of the feet, through incorrect footwear. The toes are malformed from the same cause. Here are some common causes of corns are include:
* Seam or stitch inside the shoe, which rubs against the toe.
* Wearing tight shoes.
* High heeled footwear
* Not wearing of correct fitting shoes.
NATURAL HOME REMEDIES
* Raw papaya is beneficial in the treatment of corns. Its juice is an irritant and it is, therefore, a useful application in this condition. Half a teaspoon of raw papaya juice may be applied thrice daily. Benefits in the treatment of calluses.
* Use alternate applications of alcohol-free goldenseal extract and tea tree oil to keep down infection and speed healing.
* Lemon is another valuable remedy for corns. A fresh slice of lemon should be tied over the painful area at night and allowed to remain there the whole night.
* For corns between the toes, dab on vitamin E oil & place a clean piece of cotton or a cotton ball over it. Make sure to use 100-percent cotton, not synthetic cosmetic puffs. Put on clean white cotton socks & leave them on overnight after treatment. Vitamin E oil mixed with a crushed garlic clove is good for softening corns and calluses.
* The milky juice of green figs is valuable for corns of long duration. It helps to soften them. Half a teaspoon of this juice may be extracted from the fruit & applied two or three times daily.
* Medicated pads are available that are supposed to treat corns and calluses. Most of these products are fairly aggressive, however, and may attack good tissue as well, provoking an allergic reaction.
* Compresses made from hot Epsom salt is good.
* The pulp of raw potato is also useful in the treatment of corn. It should be placed on the corn and secured with a bandage and allowed to remain for two or three hours.
* Rub castor oil onto the affected area for two or three minutes twice a day.
* Apply the juice of green figs to get relief from corns.
* Chalk powder has also been found beneficial in the treatment of corns. A small piece of chalk may be ground into a paste with water and applied over the affected area.
* Aloe cream is an effective skin softener, & two or three daily applications of calendula salve can soften skin and prevent inflammation.
Prevention tips for corns.
* For soft corns, which usually occur between the toes, the feet should be washed daily.
* Always wear properly fitting shoes.
* Never use a knife or any sharp instrument to cut the hardened area away, as infection can result. If you suffer from diabetes, you may need to consult a doctor. In people with diabetes, poor circulation can lead to problems with the feet. You should also consult a professional if the area becomes infected.
