Definition:

Corn is a horny induration and thickening of the stratum corneum (the outermost layer of the skin). Corns appear on the surfaces of the skin which is frequently subjected to friction, like soles and palms. It may be single or multiple. Sometimes it is so painful that patient cannot even walk.

A corn (or clavus, plural clavi) is a specially-shaped callus of dead skin that usually occurs on thin or glabrous (hairless and smooth) skin surfaces, especially on the dorsal surface of toes or fingers. They can sometimes occur on the thicker palmar or plantar skin surfaces.

The hard part at the center of the corn resembles a barley hare, that is, a funnel with a broad raised top and a pointed bottom. Because of their shape, corns intensify the pressure at the tip and can cause deep tissue damage and ulceration.The scientific name for a corn is heloma (plural helomata). A hard corn is called a heloma durum, while a soft corn is called a heloma molle.

The location of soft corns tends to differ from that of hard corns. Hard corns occur on dry, flat surfaces of skin. Soft corns (frequently found between adjacent toes) stay moist, keeping the surrounding skin soft. The corn’s center is not soft, however, but indurated.

Causes:

Corns usually show up on the bony area on the top of the toes and the skin in between the toes. Corns feel hard to touch, are tender and have a rounded appearance.
Corns are formed to prevent injury to skin that is repeatedly pinched, rubbed or irritated.

The most common causes of corns’ are:

• Shoe that are too tight or too loose or have a very high heels, tight socks, deformed toes.
• Walking on hilly area or standing or walking on a hard surface for along time.
• Performing jobs that cause steady or recurring pressure on the same spot in the feet.

Preventing of Corns on Feet:

Prevention is more important in case of corns

• Formation of corns on feet can be prevented by using properly fitting shoes, use of rubber pads or cotton to cushion the part causing pressure.
• Selection of footwear with a wide toe box and low heel is beneficial.
• Avoid walking on hills or on a hard surface without proper shoes and for long durations.

Home Remedies for Corns:

• Easy method to relieve corns is to soak feet in plain lukewarm water and then use a pumice stone to gently rub of the dead skin a little at a time. After rubbing it off, apply castor oil to keep your feet soft.
• Soak a small piece of cloth in vinegar and bind it to the toe, leave it for a day and night. The corn will come out by the root.
• Another method is to soak the feet in a shallow pan of warm water with half cup of vinegar in it and rub down the corn with a clean pumice stone.
• Another natural remedy is to soak the feet in warm water for15 minutes, apply a small piece of the inside of lemon peel or skin of ripe banana to corn and tape it and leave it overnight. In 3 days the corn should lift off.
• Milky juices of raw papaya, pulp of raw potato and oil from outer shells of cashew nuts are all very helpful in corns as external applications.

How can Corns be cured?

Conventional system of medicine (Allopathy) treats Corns by removing it surgically. But surgical removal does not solve this problem permanently. Recurrence is very common after surgical removal. Moreover further appearance of corns on same or another foot cannot be prevented with surgery.

Suggestion about homoeopathy treatment:

There is effective treatment for Corns in homeopathy. Surgery can be avoided and corns can be cured without surgery with homeopathy. Once treated successfully with our research based homeopathic medicines and methods, recurrence does not take place. Homoeopathic treatment for Corns is completely painless and safe. Non medicated pads can be used to give soft support to soles and toes till it disappears totally with homeopathic treatment. A shoe insert which is made with materials that will absorb shock can be used.

Many people try to remove corns by cutting or trimming them with a sharp instrument like knife. This may worsen the condition resulting in unnecessary injury. Diabetics especially should never try this type of treatment. Such methods should not be used when safe and effective homeopathic remedy is available for corns.

Homeopathic treatment is highly recommended especially when other options have failed. All homeopathic medicines are safe, natural, easy to administer and without any side effects.

What are advantages of Homeopathic Treatment for Corns?

• No Surgery
• No creams, no lotions or other local applications
• No medicated pads
• Only oral medicines in the form of sweet pills
• No dietary restrictions
• No recurrence once treated successfully with homoeopathy

What is total duration and cost of Corns Treatment?

Three months of homeopathic treatment is given initially. Most of the cases are cured completely and permanently within this period of three months. However few cases may require treatment longer than three months. Relief from pain is achieved within 3 to 4 weeks in most of the cases.

Cracked heels:

Cracked heels are a common foot problem that are often referred to as heel fissures. Cracked heels are commonly caused by dry skin (xerosis), and made more complicated if the skin around the rim of the heel is thick (callus). For most people this is a nuisance and a cosmetic problem but when the fissures or cracks are deep, they are painful to stand on and the skin can bleed – in severe cases this can become infected.

What does a cracked heel look like:

The skin is normally dry and may have a thick callus which appears as yellow or dark brown discolored area of skin, especially along the inside border of the heel. Cracks in the skin are usually obvious.

What causes cracked heels:

Some people tend to have a naturally dry skin that predisposes them to the cracks. The thickened dry skin (callus) around the heel that is more likely to crack is often due to mechanical factors that increase pressures in that area (eg the way you walk).

Other factors that can be involved in the cause of cracked heels include:

• prolonged standing (at work or home, especially on hard floors)
• being overweight (this increases the pressure on the normal fat pad under the heel, causing it to expand sideways – if the skin is not supple and flexible, the pressures to ‘crack’ are high)
• open back on the shoes (this allows the fat under the heel to expand sideways and increases the pressure to ‘crack’)
• some medical conditions predispose to a drying skin (eg autonomic neuropathy in those with diabetes leads to less sweating; an underactive thyroid lowers the body’s metabolic rate and there is a reduction in sweating, leading to a dryness of the skin)
• skin conditions (eg psoriasis and eczema)

What are the symptoms of cracked heels:

• If the cracks are bad enough there will be pain on weight bearing, that is not there when weight is off the heel.
• The edges or rim around the heel will generally have a thicker area of skin (callus).
• Wearing open or thin soled shoes usually make the symptoms worse.

Self treatment for cracked heel:

• Applying an oil based moisturizing cream twice daily is really important to get on top of this problem.
• A pumice stone can be used to reduce the thickness of the hard skin.
• Important to avoid open backed shoes or thin soled shoes.
• Never try to reduce the hard skin your self with a razor blade or a pair of scissors. There is a risk of an infection developing and taking too much off.

Suggestion about homoeopathy treatment:

There is effective treatment for cracks in homeopathy.Once treated successfully with our research based homeopathic medicines and methods, recurrence does not take place. Homoeopathic treatment for Cracks is completely painless and safe.
Homeopathic treatment is highly recommended especially when other options have failed. All homeopathic medicines are safe, natural, easy to administer and without any side effects.