Dry calluses on the feet or, as they are also called, calluses are one of the most common problems of the skin of the feet. Not only do they not look aesthetically pleasing, the corns also cause discomfort when walking.
Where do they come from
The mechanism of the formation of corns is associated with the reaction of the skin to strong and (or) prolonged pressure on a certain area of it. Both of these factors affect the skin of the feet when wearing tight shoes. This is a kind of defensive reaction invented by nature. Another reason for the formation of corns is the predisposition of the skin to excessive keratinization - a thickening of the stratum corneum of the epidermis. This situation occurs, for example, in cases of a deficiency in the body of vitamin A. They can cause excessive keratinization and other metabolic disorders, for example, diabetes mellitus. Dry calluses appear with flat feet. This is due to the fact that the foot is in contact with the support in areas not intended for this. In addition, some diseases, including psoriasis and fungal skin lesions, can be the reasons for the formation of dry calluses. These pathological conditions, as a rule, are accompanied by other symptoms characteristic of them.
How to deal with corns
It is not only their unaesthetic appearance that forces us to fight corns. Once formed, they begin to cause a lot of problems. Severely thickened, coarse skin makes it difficult to wear familiar shoes. In addition, the areas of thickening often become painful and cause severe discomfort when walking. Dry calluses found on the foot are a signal for action. One should not expect that they will "pass by themselves." Over time, they can only progress. If the skin on the feet has become dense, hard, rough, thickened, but there are no painful sensations yet, then the process has not gone too far and is at one of the initial stages. At this stage, a simple and affordable way to deal with corns at home can help - these are foot baths. For effective action, 1 tablespoon of soda, liquid soap and ammonia are added to a basin with two liters of water. You can also add a teaspoon of sea salt. The water temperature should be around 40 degrees. This composition helps to soften the hardened skin. When the corns become soft, they should be treated with a pumice stone or a special nail file. At the end of the procedure, it is recommended to rinse the feet with cool water and, as a final step, lubricate with a nourishing cream and let it fully absorb. There are several more folk recipes that are suitable for already formed corns, which have already begun to cause discomfort, but are still painless. Alternative methods of treatment are to apply compresses to the problem area. The following can act as a remedy for such a compress:
- onions chopped in a blender;
- fresh celandine herb chopped with a meat grinder;
- grated potato tubers;
- fresh, cut lengthways aloe leaves.
One of the ingredients is used for one procedure. Some sources recommend leaving this compress overnight, wrapping the foot with plastic wrap or wax paper. However, it will be safer to focus on the individual sensitivity of the skin of a particular person to each of these components. Before starting the procedure, you should make sure that the person is not allergic to the product with which the compress is supposed to be made. To do this, a small amount is applied to a limited area of the skin (on the wrist or in the elbow). After 10-15 minutes, the result is evaluated. The absence of negative reactions on the skin and extraneous sensations will indicate the absence of hypersensitivity. Regardless of the active component of the compress, after the time of exposure, it should be removed, rinsed with water, walk over it with a pumice stone, and then apply a nourishing cream. An effective result is observed with regular repetition of the procedure with a frequency of one to two times a week. From a number of remedies proposed by traditional medicine for combating corns at home, everyone can choose the most effective for themselves. However, having got rid of the already existing dry corns, it is necessary to take measures to prevent their formation in the future. The simplest and most obvious preventive measure is the selection of comfortable shoes with thick or medium-thick soles. In this case, the main damaging factor is excluded - excessive pressure on certain areas of the skin.
