Patches for dry calluses on toes

Calluses on hands and feet are an extremely unpleasant phenomenon that interferes with walking and doing your usual work, causes discomfort and pain, and spoils the appearance of the skin. At the same time, dry calluses cause the most trouble. A wet callus can be painful and fraught with spontaneous opening of the blister, but it is much easier to get rid of it than from keratinization, especially if it has also taken root. Today, there are many methods that allow you to cope with such a dense neoplasm. Many of them are quite intricate and not very convenient to use. Plasters for dry calluses are free of these disadvantages, which explains their popularity in solving this problem.

A useful and convenient invention

The problem of dry calluses on hands and feet is as old as the world. Even before the advent of shoes and transport, people suffered from pressing and painful compactions when they had to walk a lot on a hard, uneven surface and rub their hands, working hard with primitive hand tools. It was especially difficult for people whose skin was naturally tender and sensitive, as well as for those whose body lacks vitamins A and E. responsible for sufficient moisture and elasticity of the skin.

Previously, people had to look for methods of treating calluses on their own. And the search, it must be said, was conducted in different directions. The intelligentsia and the nobility, in order not to spoil the delicate white skin of their hands and feet, avoided manual labor in every possible way and ordered shoes made of soft materials. Caring for the skin for many of them was one of their hardest duties.

But the common people, barefoot or wearing wooden shoes or woven bast shoes that rubbed the skin and were too big, and engaged in heavy physical labor, were forced to seek help from Mother Nature. This is how the first remedies for corns and calluses appeared, and over time their number increased.

Our ancestors used to attach the mixtures prepared according to folk recipes to the corns using scraps of fabric, threads, ropes, and later bandages, which was still not very convenient. It is not surprising that most folk methods are recommended to be used at night so that the bandage does not slip while walking.

The advent of adhesive tape made folk treatment much easier. After all, now medical compresses on a small area of skin (and a callus is usually not very large) could be attached with its help. This helped to improve the fixation of medical compositions on the foot.

Folk remedies have been replaced by many pharmaceutical preparations (solutions, creams, sprays, ointments, pencils) with a stronger effect and pleasant aroma compared to some folk remedies, especially those based on garlic and onions. But even after applying many of these products, the callus had to be covered with a bandage, additionally fixed with a plaster. Many who have tried them on themselves know how firmly such structures can hold. Over time, they shift, can peel off and, in addition, are afraid of water.

But pharmaceutical science does not stand still. Having decided to combine the beneficial properties of the most effective drugs (for example, salicylic acid) and the fixing ability of adhesive tape, scientists invented special plasters for dry and wet calluses, which simultaneously treated and protected the diseased area of the skin.

Indications dry blister patches.

Dry calluses are the result of a specific protective reaction of the body that occurs in response to regular mechanical irritation of the skin: pressure or friction. The area of skin exposed to such an impact changes its characteristics: it becomes dry and dense. The keratinized layer is designed to protect the underlying tissues from damage.

And it wouldn't be so scary if the rough seal didn't stand out as an unaesthetic spot against the background of the rest of the skin and didn't cause discomfort. With strong mechanical impact on a limited area of skin, a small drop is usually formed - a wet callus filled with intercellular fluid. In addition to discomfort, such a blister is fraught with a rupture of the membrane and penetration of infection into the wound.

Any medical plaster is effective against wet calluses. But doctors recommend giving preference to antiseptic types, which in most cases have a waterproof base of flesh color that is practically invisible on the skin with a small thin pad attached to it, soaked in an antiseptic. Such a plaster will reduce the pressure on the callus and the friction of its tissues against the fabric of the shoe, and on the hands it will protect against dirt and germs getting into the wound.

But for dry calluses on the feet, it is better to use special anti-callus patches, which not only protect the callus from unwanted external influences, but also contribute to the destruction of its tissues. Dry calluses form in those places that regularly experience mechanical action of moderate force. Sometimes they appear on the site of a dried wet callus. This happens if the sore spot is not protected from the effects of brute force.

This transformation of a callus on the feet has another negative side - it can form a core, which, under the influence of the activated virus, will grow deep into the soft tissues (and many of us have such tenants as HPV and herpesvirus infection, which for the time being do not manifest themselves in any way).

It just so happens that core calluses usually appear in the sole and toes under pressure. Dry calluses without a core – corns – are also most often found there. It is easier to treat a superficial callus than an ingrown one with a core, because to get rid of the growth you will need to completely remove the deeply penetrating root. But it is simply impossible not to treat a core callus, because it is the one that causes the most discomfort in the form of intense pain if the growth is pressed a little or hard.

Dry calluses can appear on the inside of the palms at the base of the fingers and the bottom of the foot (on the heels, pads and lateral surfaces of the fingers, on the sole in the area where they are connected by the metatarsal bones, i.e. in places where the skin regularly comes into contact with the surface).

A corn plaster can be prescribed by a doctor for dry corns on the heels, which usually appear against the background of flat feet and diseases of the spine with poor posture, walking barefoot on stones and hard surfaces, as a result of the appearance of folds on the insole or getting a hard object under the heel of the shoe. The active substance of the plaster helps to soften the tissue of the corn, and a special pad, which many modern models have, reduces the pressure on the painful area, as a result of which when walking and standing a person experiences pain of lesser intensity than before.

It is quite effective to use an anti-callus plaster for dry calluses on the toes. A callus can form in the most inconvenient place for treatment, where it is problematic to apply a fixing bandage. Callus plasters are well fixed on the skin and you can always choose an option that can be fixed on the problem area. There are such types of plasters (callus adhesive plaster) that can be cut into pieces of the desired shape and size. Additionally, it can be fixed with a regular adhesive plaster, which is quite convenient when a callus forms between the toes.

It is quite possible to get rid of new dry calluses without a core and corns without a corn plaster, by steaming your foot for several days and scraping off the softened areas of keratinized skin with a pumice stone or brush. But it is better to fight old growths of a small size with the help of this convenient device.

Frequent use of anti-callus plasters for dry calluses with a core is due to the fact that the medicinal components of such medical products are able to increase local immunity of the skin and prevent the active activity of viruses. They slow down the ingrowth of the callus, soften its structural components and facilitate easier removal of the core.

As we can see, the possibilities of using corn plasters for dry corns are quite wide. Most often, they are used when growths appear in the foot area, but if desired, the plaster can also be used to combat old corns on the hands.

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Release form

Corn plasters are the most convenient form of release of means for treating corns and calluses. They provide reliable fixation of the medicinal substance in the affected area, are not afraid of moisture and do not allow it to penetrate inside to the wound, the thin fabric of the plaster does not add extra volume and prevents rubbing of the corn, which is especially important in the area of the legs, the skin of which is forced to come into contact with rather rough material of shoes, seams and inserts.

What types of patches are there?

The first mentions of a plaster appeared about 3 thousand years ago. True, at that time the concept of a plaster as an adhesive plastic mass was somewhat different, as were the options for its use. But the appearance of the first adhesive tape, designed to fix an aseptic bandage, which is the prototype of a modern adhesive plaster, we owe to the German pharmacist Paul Beiersdorf, who patented his invention in 1882.

When the patch received good publicity 8 years later, it began to be actively used not only in medicine, but also for household needs. This gave impetus to the development of electrical tape.

Further improvements to the patch increased its popularity in medical circles. The white color of the product obtained by adding zinc oxide and the reduced risk of skin irritation were universally approved. Thus, a product called adhesive plaster was born.

Despite all the convenience of the invention, it continued to be improved, making it an indispensable assistant for various skin injuries. If previously the plasters were used mainly to fix medical dressings, now they began to perform the role of the aseptic dressing itself. We are talking about a bactericidal plaster, which is convenient for the treatment of wet calluses. A soft pad impregnated with an antiseptic (most often a colorless antimicrobial drug with a wide spectrum of antibacterial activity chlorhexidine is used), heals the wound, protects it from dirt, promotes the discharge of fluid and exudate, promotes tissue respiration. The upper waterproof layer of the plaster (its base) prevents water from entering the wound and fixes the treatment complex over the wound.

The useful properties of the patch (the ability to provide long-term motionless contact between the patient's skin and the medicinal composition, gradual penetration of the medicine into the tissue, which is akin to IV drips, etc.) could not fail to interest cosmetologists. Almost simultaneously with the medical bactericidal patch, a cosmetic callus patch appeared on the market, because calluses are more of a cosmetic problem than a disease. And to soften them, it is important that the medicinal composition penetrates the keratinized epidermis, which is easiest to achieve with the help of long-term contact.

Corn plasters can be used for both dry and wet corns. However, a plaster for wet corns acts as a second skin and contains substances that help form a protective film over the blister. But a remedy for dry corns and calluses contains acids (usually salicylic, but benzoic or lactic acids can also be added), which help soften hardened tissues and prevent wound infection.

Corn plasters can be made either on a fabric (for example, corn adhesive plaster) or on a gel or silicone base using hydrocolloid technology. The latter are more expensive, but they adhere to the skin much better and help relieve corn pain.

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Dosing and administration

We have already learned quite a lot about corn plasters, their history, purpose and useful properties. It's time to find out what corn plasters can be purchased at a pharmacy or ordered online, their names, characteristics and application features.

Compeed Corn Plaster

"Kompid" is one of the most popular products of this type, manufactured using the most modern technologies developed in the USA. It differs from other callus plasters in that it does not contain aggressive acids. Layer-by-layer callus removal is ensured by the creation of conditions by the plaster material that promote softening of rough tissues in a natural way.

Innovative hydrocolloid technology is used in the production of "Kopmid". The base of the patch is an elastic, waterproof, transparent, flesh-colored tape covered with an adhesive substance and a layer of hydrocolloid particles. Microscopic particles create a protective film on the skin (like a second skin), which simultaneously provides sufficient skin hydration and air exchange. Thus, it prevents infection from entering the wound, the formation of dry crusts and calluses on the callus, and ensures softening of growths.

On the one hand, a so-called greenhouse effect is created, i.e. the callus is steamed. But on the other hand, the skin breathes and does not experience oxygen starvation, which promotes the activation of regenerative processes.

There are several forms of release of the Compeed patch. Three of them are intended for removal of dry calluses and corns:

• A pack of 10 small patches for dry calluses between the toes.
• Pack of 6 medium sized plates to combat plantar calluses.
• Pack of 1 medium-sized patch used to treat dry calluses with and without a core on different areas of the foot.

For ease of use, the patches come in different sizes. The base material allows them to be firmly attached to the leg and remain on the skin for at least a day without rolling or slipping. The patch does not allow water to pass inside, which prevents it from peeling off.

The plaster for dry calluses contains an additional gel layer, which helps reduce the pressure on the skin compaction, which means that when you step on the callus, the pain will no longer be so intense. Optimal moisture, which helps soften the calluses and exfoliate dead cells from healthy tissues, absorb reject particles, as well as decompression of the callus, which has an analgesic effect, allow you to effectively treat without limiting your movements.

Since the patch does not contain harmful substances and only provides activation of physiological processes of tissue regeneration, it has virtually no contraindications for use. This product can be used to treat both adults and children.

But it is necessary to take into account that the patch sticks too firmly to the skin and when it is removed, significant discomfort may occur. The skin of small children is more delicate and sensitive than that of adults, so the removal of the patch from it may even be accompanied by painful sensations.

The product is completely hypoallergenic, so there is no need to worry about irritation or other side effects. This means that its use during pregnancy is not limited in any way.

Treatment of dry calluses with the "Kompid" patch can be combined with the use of various medications and folk recipes if its effect seems insufficient. The product is easy to use and transport (it has a convenient container that allows you to store the patch even in a woman's handbag or cosmetic bag), is almost invisible on the body, pleasant to the touch, resistant to mechanical impact.

Another advantage of "Compid" is the ability to avoid the formation of scars and cicatrices on the skin even after removing a deep core. But to achieve this effect, you will need to use the patch until the wound is completely healed, not limiting yourself to just removing the root of the callus.

The question remains, how to use the plaster for dry calluses? There is nothing complicated about it. You need to take one plate from the package, hold it in your hands to give it more elasticity, which will allow the plaster to more easily take the shape of the foot. Then carefully separate the protective film from the inside of the plate and apply the plaster to the callus, checking that all its edges are tightly glued to the skin.

During the day, the patch will protect and heal the callus, slightly changing its color and gradually swelling due to the fact that the hydrocolloid particles absorb moisture and dead cells of the callus. If the patch comes off or is very swollen, it should be replaced with another one.

To make the treatment more effective, before using the patch, it is recommended to steam the skin in the area of the dry callus by taking hot foot baths (soda, salt or herbal) for 10-15 minutes. After this, the skin will need to be wiped dry, which will ensure good contact between the adhesive base and the skin of the foot.

You can walk with the patch on your foot for two or three days until all the callus tissue peels off. Removing a core callus may take longer. In addition, you should not rush in this case, so as not to leave a deep wound unprotected.

If you need to remove the patch before it starts peeling off on its own, you will need to carefully unfasten one edge of the strip and slowly pull it along the skin. Do not yank the product off abruptly to avoid pain.

The number of patches used depends on the size and depth of the callus. But even if you had to buy a pack of 10 patches and only used 2-3, you shouldn't worry. The product's shelf life is 3 years, so during this time it will be able to help more than once and more than one family member. It does not require special storage conditions, but to ensure that the money is well spent, the anti-callus product should not be stored within the reach of children, who may use it for other purposes.

The biggest drawback of this innovative product is its high price compared to other anti-callus plasters. In addition, many buyers, accustomed to the fact that it is not easy to get rid of a callus by steaming alone without using aggressive substances, have doubts about its effectiveness.

Corn plaster Cosmos

The plaster for dry calluses "Cosmos" is a product of the famous European company Paul Hartmann, specializing in the production of medical and hygienic products. This is one of more than ten varieties of plasters manufactured under the Cosmos brand at 7 of the company's factories located in different countries. The company's products are distinguished by high quality, safety for human health and reasonable price.

The Cosmos anti-callus plaster, used to remove dry calluses and corns, does not contain any aggressive medicinal substances. In fact, it is an analogue of the American brand Compeed's dry callus plasters. The series using hydrocolloid technology is called Cosmos Hydro Active.

There are different variations of the Cosmos patch, intended for use:

• on the heel (regular and XL, 5 pieces per pack),
• on the toes (6 pieces per pack),
• universal (8 pieces in a package of different sizes).

The products differ in size, which is very convenient considering that corns and calluses can differ significantly in size. But even if you take a larger patch, nothing terrible will happen, because it does not contain substances that irritate the skin, which means that healthy tissues will not be damaged. The elastic base material does not create a feeling of tightness of the skin, and the thin flesh-colored fabric makes the use of a virtually invisible patch on the leg even more comfortable.

The product is very convenient to keep with you, since a container similar to the one for Compid patches is provided for storing the patches.

Hydrocolloid technology is also used in the production of the Cosmos patch. The patch is based on a material with water- and dirt-repellent properties, which is firmly attached to the skin, providing its optimal hydration and allowing it to breathe. In the middle of the patch plate for the treatment of dry calluses there is a special gel pad that fits tightly to the callus, but does not stick to the wound. It is thanks to it that the keratinized areas of the growth are sufficiently moisturized, become much softer, and now they can be easily removed with pumice.

The patch tolerates short-term contact with water quite well. It can stay on the skin for 1 to 3 days, so it is used very sparingly. The patch should be removed when it starts to peel off the skin.

The method of using the Cosmos patch is identical to the American product. The patch, freed from the protective film, should be glued to the prepared dry callus, ensuring complete adhesion of the adhesive surface to the skin along the entire perimeter of the plate.

The manufacturer, based on technologies that are safe for humans, does not see any contraindications to the use of its products. That is, Cosmos patches can be safely used to treat children, pregnant and nursing mothers, and the elderly. At the same time, there is no need to worry if the patient leads a very active lifestyle, which is typical for children, athletes, and people of certain professions (for example, couriers, sales agents, etc.). The patch stays on the foot very well and for a long time, does not roll when rubbed against rough areas of shoes, does not peel off even when exposed to moisture, and provides effective pain relief for calluses from the first day of use. The adhesive base of the patch does not cause allergic reactions or skin irritation.

According to reviews, Compid and Cosmos dry callus patches stay on the skin better than others, but Cosmos is easier to remove because it does not stick to the wound at all. It turns out that its use for children is not limited in any way. The product is quite safe and does not cause pain when removed from the skin.

The shelf life of the Kosmos corn plaster is 3 years, and there is no need to create any special storage conditions for it, which can also be considered a plus for the product. Even if the plaster falls into the hands of a child, it will not cause harm to the baby, except perhaps disappointment to the parents who threw some money down the drain.

It is not surprising that the cost of such an absolutely safe and quite effective remedy will be somewhat higher than that of acid-based anti-callus plasters placed in simple paper packaging, requiring caution in use and storage, having contraindications and side effects.

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Salipod Corn Plaster

Unlike the above-described products, "Salipod" can be considered a veteran of labor with a respected biography, many reviews and a very attractive price. It is difficult to say what provides this fabric-based corn plaster with such popularity: low price or effectiveness in the fight against dry corns, calluses, warts. Many believe that this plaster is more effective than others in removing core corns.

The Salipod adhesive plaster is a fabric strip with active substances (salicylic acid and sulfur) applied to the adhesive side, which help soften the tissue of dry calluses and make them easy to remove.

Salicylic acid is often used to combat calluses due to its ability to destroy the intercellular bonds of the stratum corneum. In addition, this substance is considered a good antiseptic, which eliminates infection of the wound formed after the removal of the callus.

Sulfur is also an antiseptic, effective even against fungal infections. It helps to increase local immunity, which is extremely important when it comes to core calluses, the ingrowth of which, according to doctors, is provoked by viruses. Sulfur also has an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect. Being an effective keratolytic along with salicylic acid, it not only helps to soften and exfoliate callus tissue, but also has a positive effect on skin regeneration after the growth is removed.

The auxiliary components of the patch on a natural fabric base are lanolin (softens the skin and helps to increase local immunity), pine rosin (activates regenerative processes, heals and relieves pain), rubber (provides elasticity of the patch and waterproof properties).

The method of application of the adhesive plaster "Salipod" differs from the silicone plaster "Kompid". "Salipod" is sold in the form of a plate measuring 6 by 10 centimeters, from which you will need to cut off pieces of the required size with scissors, corresponding to the size and shape of the callus or corn.

After a suitable piece of plaster has been prepared, the protective film must be removed from the outside and the adhesive plaster must be attached strictly to the callus, which again is recommended to be pre-steamed and dried with a napkin. The plaster must not be glued to areas of healthy skin.

To ensure that Salipod holds better (which is especially important if the callus is located between the toes), it is additionally fixed to the skin with regular adhesive tape, taking a piece that is much larger.

After 2 days, the patch can be removed and the softened tissue of the callus can be carefully removed. If the growth cannot be completely removed the first time, the procedure can be repeated 3-4 more times until all layers of the callus along with the core are removed.

Despite the fact that the patch is used only for local treatment, some of its active substances can penetrate into the body's tissues and have a toxic effect. They are dangerous only in high doses, however, doctors recommend refraining from treating small children and pregnant women with Salipod. Salicylic acid metabolites are excreted from the body with urine, so the drug may be dangerous for patients with renal failure.

It is also impossible to rule out the occurrence of hypersensitivity reactions to various components of the patch. If, when using the product, there is a strong burning sensation, swelling of the surrounding tissues, pain and other unusual symptoms, the cause is most likely an individual reaction of the body. In this case, it is necessary to select a product with other active or auxiliary substances.

If itching, slight burning, redness of the tissue around the callus, etc. appear, you may suspect an allergic reaction, which also requires discontinuing the medication.

The Salipod patch contains active substances related to drugs that can interact with other drugs, increasing their concentration in tissues and side effects. For example, sulfur is not compatible with drugs containing sulfonylurea, and salicylic acid is not compatible with resorcinol and zinc oxide. In principle, with local application, no significant interactions between the active substances of the corn patch and other drugs have been noted, but if you have to use any creams, solutions or ointments on your hands or feet, it is better to consult a doctor first about the safety of their combination with the Salipod patch.

The shelf life of the corn plaster is slightly shorter - 2 years. It should be stored in a dry place with a temperature of no more than 25 degrees. It is especially important that the product does not fall into the hands of children, because its aggressive base can cause damage to delicate baby skin.

The analogue of the Russian "Salipod" is considered to be a corn plaster of the Ukrainian company Sarepta-Mediplast, the composition of which, the method of application and the effect rendered are identical to the described product. Even the size of the plate is the same. But the expiration date is indicated as 5 years, and under storage conditions the limiting temperature indicators are listed as 5 and 40 degrees. And for some reason the composition of the active substances on the packaging is absent, which does not prevent this domestic product from successfully fighting dry calluses (including core calluses) and corns.

The described plasters for dry calluses have a low price and good quality, which allows them to successfully hold on to the market even in the presence of competitors with innovative technologies. They are used sparingly, so one plate lasts for a long time, which can be considered another plus of callus adhesive plasters.

Their disadvantages include the presence of contraindications, the need to be careful when using and storing the product, insufficiently strong attachment to the skin, which requires additional fixation with a bandage or regular adhesive tape. But even such a multi-layer design cannot always stay in place when in contact with shoes. While protecting against friction, it cannot reduce the pressure on the callus and the associated pain.

Corn plaster Luxplast and its analogues

For those who are confused by the high price of American and European brands or the effectiveness of hydrocolloid technology in treating dry calluses, but are also not attracted by the prospect of using Ukrainian or Russian-made salicylic adhesive plasters, we can offer the option of anti-callus plasters with an average price from the Korean company YOUNG CHEMICAL CO.LTD, which are produced under the Luxplast brand.

Plasters for dry calluses Luxplast are a product based on salicylic acid, so their effect is similar to domestic callus adhesive plaster. Another thing is that the product has a completely different design, which makes it safer for the surrounding skin and easier to use.

The Luxplast patch is produced in the form of narrow strips (1.5 x 7 cm) made of a polymer waterproof material with a hypoallergenic adhesive base (6 pieces in a cardboard package). That is, there is no need to cut the patch into suitable pieces. The size of the strips is such that it makes it convenient to use them both on the toes and on various areas of the foot.

In the center of the perforated breathable strip of the base there is a rounded area on which there is a soft pad with a small hole inside. Due to the cushioning properties of the pad, the pressure on the callus is reduced, which reduces the likelihood of pain.

Additional pain relief for the callus, as well as the main therapeutic effect, is provided by salicylic acid, which is impregnated with the tissues inside the hole. In addition to the antiseptic effect, salicylic acid has a keratolotic effect, due to which the callus tissues soften and can be easily removed with improvised materials.

The patch is quite easy to use. It is applied to a pre-steamed and thoroughly dried callus, having removed the protective paper film from the inside of the product in advance. You need to try to ensure that the hole in the patch pad strictly coincides with the center (or core) of the callus. The patch with salicylic acid is usually applied for 1-2 days, after which it must be removed, the softened parts of the callus removed and, if necessary, the next plate glued.

Usually, a pack of patches is enough to treat advanced core calluses. To treat a fresh callus, most often no more than 2-3 strips are needed.

In contraindications for use, the manufacturer indicates only individual intolerance to its components. But, as we already know, treatment with salicylic acid should be carried out with caution in children (from 2 years old), pregnant women, nursing mothers, patients suffering from severe kidney pathologies.

The use of the Lyuksplast corn plaster is usually not accompanied by unpleasant sensations, because the tissues surrounding the corn are reliably protected by the pad. The skin under the perforated surface of the plaster has the ability to breathe normally and does not get steamed. The flesh color of the product makes it barely noticeable on the foot.

The advantages of Korean products include a hypoallergenic adhesive base, which allows you to avoid allergic reactions when using it, and a long shelf life (5 years).

An analogue of the Korean anti-callus patch can be considered an identical product of the Russian brand Leiko. The patches are sold in cardboard packaging, 6 pieces in each (size 2x7 cm). The base of the patch is cotton fabric, on which rubber resin and zinc oxide (adhesive layer) are applied. In the center of the patch there is a soft plastic membrane, round in shape with a hole in the middle, impregnated with salicylic acid. The membrane serves to cushion when walking and protect healthy skin from the effects of acid.

In fact, this is a band-aid that we are accustomed to, to which a kind of pad for a callus is attached. The disadvantage of this product, which is comparable in price to the Korean patch, is the white color of the base, which is visible against the skin. The patch can be stored at room temperature for 5 years, after which it becomes ineffective.

The French brand URGO also has an identical shape and flesh-colored base for its corn plaster. Its full name is Urgo Koritsid Corn or Urgokor Corn. The cardboard packaging contains 6 or 12 plasters, additionally placed in paper bags, connected in pairs.

The active ingredient of this patch, designed to remove dry calluses and corns, is also salicylic acid. The design of the French patch is similar to the Chinese one, with the only difference being the materials and composition of the adhesive layer.

A soft white polyethylene disc with a hole inside which is a material impregnated with salicylic acid is placed on the adhesive base. The patch is provided with a paper protective strip which helps to preserve the adhesive and medicinal properties of the product during the shelf life (3 years).

The manufacturer recommends changing the patches daily, applying them to prepared dry skin after preliminary steaming.

Serious contraindications to the use of the patch include hypersensitivity to its components and the presence of infection in the callus wound.

Chinese does not mean bad

We are used to distrusting products made in China. The reason for this is the dominance of low-quality goods on the market with a very pleasant price and a small percentage of truly high-quality, competitive products that are valued all over the world. Yes, the Chinese are a hard-working people, and it costs them nothing to stamp out low-quality goods that, nevertheless, are in demand. But when it comes to human health, the people who stood at the origins of the development of the famous Tibetan medicine are very scrupulous.

Medical products made in China are in no way inferior in quality to European brands, while the price of corn plasters is more affordable for the average domestic buyer.

There are several varieties of Chinese plasters. Under the Dr. House brand, plasters for removing dry calluses are produced in white and flesh colors (in the form of strips and a round disk inside and a hole with salicylic acid, 5 pieces per package). As well as round-shaped products with a protective disk and a composition based on paraffin and salicylic acid to combat corns.

Chinese plasters of the Jiyantie and Shulyangsuan brands are improved prototypes of corn plasters with a soft disk inside. The antimicrobial action of salicylic acid, which is used to fill the hole in the protective disk, is supported by a similar action of phenol, which is considered a stronger antiseptic. Salicylic acid also acts as a keratolytic.

The use of Chinese patches provides effective softening of callus tissue, pain relief of the growth due to cushioning and the action of antiseptics and a good disinfectant effect. After their use, there are virtually never any inflammatory processes.

The patches are usually packed in cardboard boxes of 6 pieces, have a transparent perforated base (or flesh color), allowing the skin to breathe and at the same time do not let water through, firmly holding on to the skin. The composition of the auxiliary substances may differ slightly, but the patches only benefit from useful additives. The composition of Chinese-made products includes only natural compositions, caring herbal additives, softening and protective agents.

Chinese patches from the above-mentioned manufacturers are used in the same way as similar products from other manufacturers. First, the callus is steamed, then wiped dry, and only after that can the protective film be removed from the patch and it can be glued to the callus, aligning its center with the hole in the disk (such a hole always has a color different from the color of the disk, so it is easy to see). The patch is left on the foot for 24 hours. Then it is removed, the soft parts of the callus are removed, and the next plate is glued.

An effective plaster for corns and calluses is also in the catalog of the famous brand TianDe, whose products always contain healing additives that comply with the principles of Tibetan medicine. The package can contain from 2 to 8 plasters at a fairly reasonable price.

In addition to salicylic acid, considered the gold standard in the treatment of dry calluses, the patch contains:

• borneol, which provides additional antimicrobial effect and deodorizes the skin,
• emollient and rich in vitamin E, beneficial for the skin, safflower oil,
• Stemona root extract, which has excellent antibacterial properties.

It is recommended to apply the patch to clean and dry callus skin, trying not to step on healthy skin, for 4 hours, after which it is removed, the feet are allowed to rest for 2-3 hours and the next patch is applied, but no more than two per day. The course of treatment for old growths should not exceed 2 weeks.

Chinese patches can have different shapes and colors. Modern versions of the above brands of patches use the hydrocolloid technology that is familiar to us, although it is most often used to treat wet calluses.

It is very easy to use products from China, but the main contraindication to their use is individual intolerance to individual components of the product, which may result in pain, burning or itching in the area where the adhesive tape is applied. Almost all dry callus patches contain salicylic acid, so you should be careful when using them to treat children, the elderly and expectant mothers.

It should be said that these products are affordable. The shelf life of the products is on average 3 years, provided they are stored at room temperature no more than 25 degrees away from children.

Real German quality

If there are a variety of opinions about Chinese products: from extremely negative to enthusiastic, then there are only positive reviews about the quality of products from Germany. Remembering the well-known German pedantry and desire for order in everything, it is not surprising that the Gehwol Huhneraugen Plaster Komfort and Gehwol Huhneraugen Plaster Extra corn plasters are made in accordance with these requirements.

Gehwol Huhneraugen Plaster Komfort, made in the form of a flesh-colored strip with pointed edges and a hexagonal disk in the middle, is convenient to use for treating dry calluses on the toes. The package of such a patch contains 8 small-sized plates so that they can be easily fixed on the finger.

Gehwol Huhneraugen Plaster Extra is a thin corn plaster with rounded ends and a round disc in the middle. It is also flesh-colored and can be used on any surface. The package also contains 8 plates.

The base fabric is made of a material that allows moisture to be retained from the outside, but at the same time it does not interfere with tissue breathing, which is a prerequisite for all Gevol brand patches.

The active ingredient of both plasters for dry calluses from the German brand Gevol is a composition of two acids: salicylic and lactic, which acts even more effectively, but more gently than pure salicylates. As a result, after peeling off the plaster, you can find loose callus tissue, which is easily and painlessly removed with improvised means.

German plasters should be used in the same way as anti-callus products from other manufacturers. They are glued to the prepared callus in such a way that the center of the disc coincides with the center of the callus, and the adhesive layer of the base fits tightly to the skin of the foot.

Corn plasters based on salicylic and lactic acids are not recommended for use in case of hypersensitivity to various components of these products. Pregnant women and patients with diabetes or severe kidney pathologies should consult a doctor before using the patch. Such aggressive products should not be used to treat children under 2 years of age, although practice shows that they do not cause visible harm to children when applied locally.

Plasters for dry calluses are not the only products of the famous German brand. The catalog of foot care products contains more than 40 items that help protect feet from the appearance of seals, cracks, and water spots, and make the solution to such problems as easy and comfortable as possible.

The price of Gevol patches can hardly be called affordable. It competes with the innovative Compid corn patches. But this is how the manufacturer evaluates the quality of its products, about which you can find mostly positive reviews.

Reviews of corn plasters

When considering various methods of combating such an ancient problem as dry calluses, one cannot help but wonder whether it is possible to come up with an easier and more comfortable method of treating painful calluses than using callus patches? There is nothing easier than fixing an adhesive strip with a medicinal composition on the callus and forgetting about the discomfort even before the tissues of the growth are completely removed.

Modern technologies allow making patches almost invisible on the skin, which is very attractive to women. They consider the white color of the adhesive tape to be a big disadvantage, which spoils the appearance of the legs even more than the callus itself, which is much smaller in size than the patch glued on top of it. It is not surprising that flesh-colored or transparent patches are considered more popular.

Now, regarding the various approaches to treating dry calluses. It has long been customary to use acids and alkalis in the treatment of calluses and hardened calluses. In the manufacture of patches that must be on the foot for a long time, acids are mainly used. And the strongest keratolytic, capable of dealing with very hard layers of dead skin cells, is considered to be salicylic acid, which is able to penetrate to a great depth and even somewhat reduce the activity of viruses present in the affected area. It is not surprising that products based on it are very popular in the treatment of growths with a core.

It should be said that, despite the cautious attitude towards salicylic acid, people trust patches based on it more than products that use absolutely safe innovative technologies. In most cases, the use of salicylic callus patches and adhesive plasters helped get rid of corns and dry calluses. However, the duration of treatment is always individual and depends on the size of the growth and the time of its existence. For fresh calluses, 1-3 procedures are enough, while it can take weeks to fight "old-timers".

Most patients can afford the cost of one pack of salicylic patches. But there are those who complained that they had to spend money on 2 packs, which turned out to be quite expensive when using expensive imported products.

Patches with a soft shock-absorbing disc are considered a better purchase. And not only because they are able to reduce pain during walking, so a person does not limit their movements and work activities. Such products, according to many buyers, hold on the foot much better than callus plasters without a disc, which require additional fixation. But even in this case, it is not always possible to avoid their rolling and shifting when rubbing against the shoe fabric.

Among the leaders in the quality of fixation on the foot, we find the products of the Gevol company and the Korean patches Luxplast. But this does not mean that other products do not hold on the skin. A large percentage of negative reviews related to dissatisfaction with the fixation of the callus patch are related to the fact that people use them incorrectly: do not care about the cleanliness of their feet, stick the patches on wet skin, swim with them in bodies of water.

Even the most waterproof anti-corn plaster cannot withstand prolonged exposure to water. We are talking about short-term exposure to moisture, which most products can withstand successfully. That is, if you simply wash your feet, it will not harm the plaster, but other types of adhesive tape are intended for swimming.

In the instructions for any patch, you can find a requirement to use the product on dry skin. This is what ensures complete adhesion and reliable fixation of the strip. Otherwise, the patch may not stick at all, and not at all because it is of poor quality or expired.

As a recommendation that increases the effectiveness of treatment, it is advised to carry out hot water procedures before using plasters for dry calluses and corns - foot baths with soda or herbal decoctions that have a softening and disinfecting effect. This is especially important for the treatment of old neoplasms, large growths and core calluses. After a bath lasting about 10-15 minutes, you can remove some of the softened tissue, which will facilitate the action of the plaster soaked in the medicinal composition. The same salicylic acid gets the opportunity to penetrate into the deeper layers of the callus, thereby accelerating the process of exfoliation of the growth.

There is no need to complain about the ineffectiveness of the patch and the prolonged treatment if you do not follow this simple recommendation. But you need to remember that after water procedures, the tissues of the foot and fingers will need to be wiped dry with a cloth napkin.

There are fewer reviews about the Compeed and Cosmos patches, which use modern technologies for softening and anesthetizing callus tissue, which is explained by less experience in their use. Most of the reviews are positive.

But when it comes to treating core calluses, these patches are considered by many to be inferior to salicylic ones. Most people have encountered the fact that attempts to get rid of the core of the callus by steaming and softening it in water have been unsuccessful. The hydrocolloid technology patch works on the same principle, with the only difference being that the colloidal microparticles can penetrate to a greater depth. They manage to soften the callus tissue, but not everyone can remove the core in one go. The opinion that innovative patches work is practically beyond doubt, but this action is not always enough to remove the core of the callus, especially an old one.

But they cope with the problem of pain syndrome and good fixation on the foot almost perfectly. Such patches relieve callus pain better than others, and almost no one doubts this. And they hold on to the skin firmly, not giving in to violence from shoes and the floor. In addition, the likelihood that after removing a callus on the foot there will be a scar when using "Cosmos", "Compid" or any other patch based on hydrocolloid technology is lower than when treating with a salicylic patch.

When choosing the best plaster for dry calluses, you need to base your choice on what kind of callus you need to treat. If it is a dry callus without a core or a corn, any plasters can help, and with the same effectiveness. It only depends on the cost of the product and its quality, or rather, the ability to stay on the skin.

But the most effective means for combating core calluses are considered to be the callus plasters "Salipod" and its Ukrainian analogue. The fact is that these plasters contain an adhesive surface along the entire perimeter, and the core of the callus is often glued together with its other tissues directly to the tape, which makes it easier to remove.

If you have to deal with calluses on the feet of children, expectant mothers and the elderly, you should not take unnecessary risks. It is better to spend money and buy a safe hydrocolloid patch, at least for your own peace of mind.

In our article, we listed several popular names of callus patches and described the possibilities of their use. But in pharmacies, online and stores that sell various foot care products, you can also find other patches for dry calluses. For example, the Ukrainian "Mozolin" based on salicylic acid and sulfur, which in combination with other products of the same brand provides fast and effective removal of calluses for a modest price.