What Is Corn?
Corn is a small, raised bump on the skin with thick and hard areas. Corn develops due to abnormal pressure or friction on the skin. Generally, they develop on the outer skin layer of feet, toes, hands, and fingers and cause discomfort. By simply eliminating the cause, like pressure and friction, the corn may disappear. Corns are gray white yellow, or brown, depending on the site. Corns have a hard center and surrounding inflamed skin. These are present on the non-weight-bearing areas of the feet. Those are at the tops and sides of the toes or in between toes. Rarely, they may be present at weight-bearing places as well. Sometimes, if the patient is diabetic or has a poor blood supply, it causes a greater risk of complications from corns. In that case, it should be treated under the supervision of a doctor.
What Are the Types of Corn?
The different types of corn are:
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Hard Corn - It usually forms on the top of the toes, on the sole of the feet, or on the outside of the little toe. It is a compact lump with a thick core.
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Soft Corn - It is a small inflamed patch with a smooth center on the skin. It usually appears between the toes.
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Seed Corn - This is the least common type of corn that occurs on the heel or ball of the feet.
What Are the Causes of Corn?
Corns are caused by pressure and friction from repeated actions. Some of the reasons for developing corn include:
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Wearing tight-fitting footwear.
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Wearing high-heeled footwear.
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Structural deformities such as hammertoes, deformities since birth, and tailor’s bunions (the shape of the bone bows outwards, creating a bony bulge).
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Foot sliding forward due to shoes that fit too loosely.
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Bony prominence located between fingers.
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Perspiration of foot.
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Going barefoot.
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Walking in improper posture or walking too heavily on the outer or inner edge of the foot.
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Walking, running, or standing for long periods of time.
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Wearing shoes and sandals without socks.
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Playing instruments or using hand tools.
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Genetics can be a reason for developing corn.
What Are the Symptoms of Corn?
The symptoms of corn appear as:
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Rough and thick areas are present in the non-weight-bearing regions.
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In the center of the hardened skin is a rising bump.
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Pain or tenderness is present.
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Flakes and dry or waxy skin are present.
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Difficulty in walking, in case of painful corn.
How to Diagnose Corn?
It is not difficult to diagnose corn, and no major tests are required for its diagnosis. The doctor is likely to diagnose corns by examining the affected area to rule out other causes of hardened skin, such as cysts and warts. The doctor may cut an edge of the hardened skin to confirm the diagnosis. If the skin bleeds or reveals dried blood, it is a wart and not corn. The doctor will also ask the patient about his lifestyle and check his footwear. The doctor might also recommend an X-ray if he suspects an underlying bone structure problem.
How to Treat Corn at Home?
Corn can be treated at home by following the below-mentioned steps:
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Soak the corn in warm water for about ten minutes or until it becomes soft.
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With the help of a wet pumice stone, file the corn gently with circular or sideways motions to remove the dead skin.
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Apply moisturizing oil or cream to the area. Use products that contain salicylic acid, urea, or ammonium lactate. The products with ingredients soften the skin over time.
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Use padding to protect from further irritation. Apply a cold pack for not more than ten to 20 minutes at a time to reduce pain and swelling in case of painful corn.
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Use proper size shoes.
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Trim the toenails properly. Never try to cut or remove the corn with a sharp object.
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Commonly, corns gradually disappear when pressure and friction stop.
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One should avoid treating corn himself if suffering from diabetes, heart disease, or problems with blood circulation.
What Are the Homeopathic Treatment Options for Corn?
Corns can be easily managed through homeopathic medicines. The homeopathic treatment alleviates the pain and prevents the recurrence of corn. Homeopathy offers a safe long-term remedy. The major benefits of homeopathic medicines are that they are very easy to take, are inexpensive, and do not have any side effects as they are prepared from naturally occurring substances. The most commonly recommended homeopathic medicines include:
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Lycopodium - It is most effective in cases of corns with pressing pain. Such cases have an aching pain in the affected area.
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Antimonium Crudum - It is one of the most commonly used homeopathic medicines for corn. It is highly effective for corn in the feet. In such cases, the sole of the feet is mostly covered with corn, along with severe pain, which makes walking difficult.
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Silicea - It is another homeopathic medicine given for soft corns that usually appear between the toes. Silicea is very safe as it is a natural remedy.
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Sulfur - Sulfur is one of the best homeopathic medicines given in cases of burning pain in the soles of the feet due to corn. Painful corn is treated very quickly with sulfur.
What Are Some Potential Complications Associated With Corns?
Corns can lead to the below-mentioned complications
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Chronic pain.
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Infection and ulcer formation.
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Osteomyelitis (bone infection).
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Tinea pedis (fungal infection of the feet).
Complications after corn surgery may include numbness, infection, a floppy toe, swelling, stiffness of the toe or joint, and recurrence.
How Can Corns Be Prevented?
The following simple steps can be taken to prevent corn on hands and feet.
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Use pumice stone regularly and gently to remove hard skin.
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Wear well-fitting and comfortable shoes to prevent the development of corn on the feet.
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Wear padded gloves while using tools to prevent the occurrence of corn on the hands.
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Wear non-medicated corn pads, bandages, and felt pads over the areas that keep rubbing against the footwear.
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Avoid walking barefoot.
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Apply protective pads over the area where corn was developed previously.
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If prone to having corn, consult the specialist.
When to See a Doctor for Corn?
One should consider seeing a doctor for a corn if,
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It is causing severe pain or discomfort.
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It is infected, indicated by redness, swelling, warmth, or pus.
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One has diabetes, circulatory problems, or a weakened immune system.
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One has difficulty walking or performing daily activities due to the corn.
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Home treatments are not providing relief or the corn continues to worsen.
Conclusion:
The conventional procedure of treating corn involves surgery, but it is not a permanent cure as corns tend to recur. Corns treated successfully with homeopathy do not recur. Along with homeopathic treatment, certain simple precautions should be taken for existing corns which are given above.