Corn, Callus on your Toe? Here is relief!
Dermatologically, a callus is an especially toughened area of skin, which has become relatively thick and hard (or callous) as a response to repeated contact or pressure. Since repeated contact is required, calluses are most often found on hands or feet. Calluses are generally not harmful, but may sometimes lead to other problems, such as infection. Shoes that fit tightly can often form calluses on the feet.
Corns
Corns (also called clavi) are specially-shaped calluses that usually occur on
thin or glabrous (hairless and smooth) skin surfaces, especially on the top of
toes or fingers. They can sometimes occur on the thicker palmar or plantar skin
surfaces. Corns form when the pressure point against the skin traces an
elliptical or semi-elliptical path. This forms a swirl of tissue, the center of
which is at the point of pressure, gradually widening. If there is constant
stimulation of the tissues producing the corns, even after the corn is removed
or the pressure surgically removed, the skin may continue to grow as a corn.
The name corn comes from its appearance under the microscope. The hard part at
the center of the corn resembles a barley seed, that is, a funnel with a broad
raised top and a pointed bottom. "Corn" used to be a generic term for grain, and
the name stuck. The scientific name is heloma. Hard corns are called heloma
durum, while soft corns are called heloma molle.
The place of occurrence differentiates between soft and hard corns. Hard corns
occur on dry, flat surfaces of skin. Soft corns (frequently found between two
toes) stay moist, keeping the surrounding skin soft. The corn's center is not
soft, however.
Development
Although usually found on the foot (where the most pressure occurs), calluses
can occur anywhere on the body as a reaction to moderate, constant "grinding"
pressure. It is the natural reaction of the palmar or plantar skin.
For example, players of string instruments will develop calluses on their
fingers with frequent play. This actually helps the player as the thicker skin
protects the fingertips - extended play is often painful before the calluses
appear. If a beginning player plays too hard, however, a blister may be produced
instead.
People with bunions may find painful calluses behind the second or third toe.
These are caused by unequal pressure placed on the smaller toes. Such
pressure-induced calluses can be very painful and often do not respond to
trimming of the callus, soft materials, or orthotic devices. It is not the
callus that causes pain, but rather the severe imbalance in the function of the
foot that is taking its toll.
Shoes can produce corns by rubbing against the top of the toes or foot.
Continued irritation may cause pain. Stretching the rubbing area of the shoe may
reduce the pressure and stop the pain, but the corn may remain. If a toenail or
a fingernail rubs against the skin, pinching it between surfaces for a period of
time, a corn can form at the edge of the nail. These are difficult to treat
because frequently the nail is the primary cause.
Sometimes a callus occurs where there is no rubbing or pressure. These
hyperkeratoses can have a variety of causes. Some toxins, such as arsenic, can
cause thick palms and soles. Some diseases, such as syphilis, can cause
thickening of the palms and soles as well as pinpoint hyperkeratoses. There is a
benign condition called keratosis palmaris et plantaris, which produces corns in
the creases of the fingers and non-weight-bearing spaces of the feet. Some of
this may be caused by actinic keratosis, which occurs due to overexposure to
sun, or with age and hormonal shifts.
Treatment
A common method, often done by a podiatrist, is to shave the calluses down, and
perhaps pad them.
For calluses on the feet an inexpensive home remedy is to dissolve a foot soap
powder composed of borax, iodine and bran in warm water and soak the feet in the
water for 15 to 20 minutes. This softens the calluses so that layers of dead
skin can be rubbed away with a cloth towel. Repeated soaking over a period of
several days can often allow removal of even the core with nothing more than the
friction of the cloth towel.
Most corns and calluses located under the foot are caused by the pressure of the
foot's bones pressing against the skin, possibly preventing it from moving with
the shoe or the ground. While well-fitting shoes will help some of these
problems, occasionally some other degree of intervention is required to
completely rid the foot of the problem. The most basic treatment is to put a
friction-reducing insole or material into the shoe, or against the foot. On some
cases, this will reduce the painfulness without actually making the callus go
away.
In many situations, a change in the function of the foot by use of an orthotic
device is required. This reduces friction and pressure, allowing the skin to
rest and to stop forming protective skin coverings.
At other times, surgical correction of the pressure is needed.
Diabetes
People with diabetes face special skin challenges. Because diabetes affects the
capillaries, the small vessels which feed the skin its blood supply, thickening
of the skin increases the difficulty to supply nutrients to the skin.
Additionally, the shear and pressure forces that cause corns and calluses may
tear the capillaries, causing bleeding within the callus or corn.
Often, bleeding within the calluses is an early sign of diabetes, even before
elevated blood sugars. Although the bleeding can be small, sometimes small pools
of blood or hematoma are formed. The blood itself is an irritant, a foreign body
within the callus that makes the area burn or itch. If the pool of blood is
exposed to the outside, infection may follow. Infection may lead to ulceration.
Luckily, this process can be prevented at several places, but such infections
can become life-threatening. Diabetic foot infections are the leading cause of
diabetic limb amputation.
The source of this article is
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The text of this
article is licensed under the
GFDL
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