Corns occur most frequently on the feet, where they are usually due to the irritation
of badly-fitting shoes. The shoes or boots may be either too small and compress feet
or they may be too large so that they chafe and irritate them in walking.
When corns occur on the under surface of the feet, they are due to friction against the sole of the boot or shoe,
but when they make their appearance on the upper surface, it is of course the upper leather or material which is
at fault.
High heels, by throwing the weight of the body unduly on the toes, are a fruitful source of corns; and so are
patent-leather shoes which hinder the escape of the perspiration. In a smaller degree, tight socks and stockings
favor the formation of corns by crowding the toes together and preventing their even spread in walking.
Corns are not always confined to the feet. In tailors and seamstresses, they may be found on the palm of the
hand and on the knuckles, and are then due to the friction of the thimble. Occasionally, people who play
musical instruments or write alot suffer from corns.
Corns may be roughtly divided into hard corns and soft corns. Soft corns generally occur
between the toes, their most common situiation being one one side of the fourth toe. They
differ from hard corns in being more sensitive and in the rapidity of their growth. Their
rapid formation is due to the warmth and moisture of the foot. There is a special from of a
watery corn which occurs only on the sole of the foot. It is usually small in size and round in
shape. It is extremely sensitive to touch and may become the source of great pain and
may prevent walking.
The pain of a corn is usually most severe in damp weather. Sometimes corns become inflammed and matter
forms beneath them, giving rise to intense pain. The best thing to be done in the treatment of corns is to remove
as best as possible, the cause on which they are dependent.
In the case of corns on the feet, it is very essential to have well-fitting boots or shoes, and it may well be
advisable to have them made of some material other than leather. Anything that mechanically protects the corn
from pressure, proves advantageous. It can be useful to add some zinc oxide to the corn.
In the case of hard corns, the feet should be well soaked in hot water and then it should be carefully pared down
with a knife, avoiding however, making it bleed. The corn is then painted with an anti-corn ointment. This usually
causes the gradual disappearance of the corn. Soft corns usually will disappear with this method. A natural
solution can be made by adding 30 drops of the tincture of arnica to a wine-glass of water. It can be applied with
a cotton ball and should be renewed 2 to 3 times a day.
| CORNS |
