Causes and risk factors:
Repeated friction or pressure leads to formation of callus or corns Activities like playing instrument, driving, using hard tools can lead to formation of corns. Callus on heel or toe are commonly caused due to wearing of tight fitting shoes. People who do heavy weight lifting exercises, rock climbing, ballet dancing are more prone for development of corns and callus. They are commonly found in carpenters also.
Clinical presentations:
Hardening of the skin is the main symptom seen. However the corns are tender to touch while callus rarely cause pain. Corns are usually seen on the dorsal aspect of hands and in-between the fingers of extremities and on toe or lateral side of the toe. Calluses are more commonly seen heel, soles and palms. The person complaints of hard raised bump which is either painless and it causes pain on touching. Corns on heels can cause pain on wearing shoes leading to difficulty in walking. Constant pressures on the corns can lead to scaling of the skin of the corn. It can then facilitate secondary bacterial infection. Corns in diabetic patients often lead to complications of infection sometimes spreading to surrounding and underlying tissues.
Diagnosis and investigations:
Diagnosis is done of the basis of the symptoms narrated by the patient and the local examination is carried out by the doctor .No investigations are required for corns or callus.
Treatment:
Corns are usually treated by the doctor by trimming of the thickened area under aseptic precautions or removing it. Callus removing medications like topical medications containing salicylic acids, patches or gels are available over the counter. Wearing of proper fitting shoes or use of cushions for comfort is the measure to be implemented. Gloves or protective pads must be used while performing weight lifting exercises or during carpenting.
Other Modes of treatment
The other modes of treatment can also be effective in treating corns. Homoeopathy is a science which deals with individualization and considers a person in a holistic way. This science can be helpful in combating the symptoms.
