A dry callus in a child

Coarse areas of too thick skin, calluses, appear in places of increased mechanical stress (friction, pressure) to which the skin is exposed. With such phenomena faced, without exaggeration, everyone, and they occur at any age. Dry callus in a child occurs, as a rule, on the feet and causes great discomfort, because children are very mobile and spend a lot of time on their feet. In addition, they grow quickly, and shoes, yesterday comfortable, quickly enough becomes tight. Sometimes it is necessary to change several pairs in one season.

Causes of the a dry callus in a child

The main reason for the appearance of calluses is regular mechanical impact on the skin - pressure and friction. The skin "protects itself" - the layer of epidermis in the place of injury thickens, sloughs less, dries and hardens. A dry callus occurs.

The risk factors for scuffs turning into blisters in children are the same as in adults. But the younger the child, the more delicate his skin, respectively, even a tiny bump or an unfortunate seam on the inner surface of the shoe is enough to traumatize a small foot. In addition, small children rarely complain about a small discomfort, which is also not a reason to stop an interesting game. As a result, the injury can be quite significant.

Calluses are a contributing factor:

• shoes that do not fit properly, whether narrow and tight or oversized;
• not "breathable" material from which it is made, as well as - synthetic hosiery, that is, conditions for increased sweating of the feet;
• rough seams on the inside of shoes or socks (socks, tights);
• creases, too thin, too thin, holes in socks or socks, or lack thereof;
• a new pair of shoes, especially worn on the bare foot;
• untrimmed toenails;
• A long walk in new or soaked shoes;
• anatomical features and congenital anomalies of the bones of the foot, flat feet.

The pathogenesis of dry callus formation in a child and an adult is also identical. It occurs in the place of constant friction or pressure. The skin tries to protect itself from the negative impact - thickens in the place of pressure. Dead cells, instead of exfoliating and "giving way" to new ones, begin to compress in the place of constant friction. Later, the horny layer of skin can begin to grow inside - the callus has an internal hard core, the root, which presses on the nerve endings when walking, causing excruciating pain.

Statistics on the formation of calluses are not kept, but we can assume that such a nuisance has happened to literally everyone and not once.

Symptoms of the a dry callus in a child

The first signs that tell you that later there will be a callus in this place look like redness, scuffing or watery, sometimes bursting. There is discomfort in the area, ranging from a slight burning sensation to severe pain. If you continue to traumatize this area of skin without paying attention to the unpleasant sensations, the skin will begin to thicken and thicken, and eventually a dry callus will appear.

Since normally a child runs a lot, jumps, that is, his feet experience serious loads, quite often there is a dry callus on the child's foot. Children during the game do not notice that the sock slightly slipped off the leg, gathered in folds, sweat or wet feet, so scuffs on the delicate skin of the child can be formed and in the presence of comfortable, not the first time worn shoes. On the foot appears most often just a small area of coarser and thicker skin. For quite a long time this place does not hurt and there is no discomfort. Painful sensations, as a rule, correspond to a thick callus that has already started, which is pressing on nerve endings or has cracked.

A dry callus may form on a child's toe. Usually the big toe and little finger are affected. Often there are so-called corns on the soles, you can find a dry callus on the heel of the child. Most often the child becomes painful to walk, and he draws the parent's attention to the sore spot. Dry callus is a small diameter piece of coarse skin of grayish-yellow tint, protruding above the general surface. Sometimes it has an even tougher inner core. These calluses are most distressing when walking, causing a limp and a change in gait.

Complications and consequences

At first, dry calluses may not be uncomfortable, but over time, the dry rough skin can crack. The cracks are usually very painful, and they are also a gateway for infection. This leads to the fact that the patient begins to limp. His gait changes involuntarily. If the problem is ignored for a long time, it can lead to disorders affecting not only the soft tissues and nerves, but also the bone tissue.

Even not cracked, but deep and dense callus over time begins to press on the nerve endings, causing pain, involuntary desire to put the foot to avoid it, and, as a consequence, joint and bone disorders.

Diagnostics of the a dry callus in a child

The callus is visible visually. It does not require tests or instrumental diagnostics to confirm its presence.

But differential diagnosis is necessary, because growths on the skin can have different origins. They are similar to plantar warts, which have a viral origin and require the use of antiviral drugs. An experienced podologist can distinguish them by the absence of papillary lines on the surface (in viral warts), the presence of vessels, location (not always in places of pressure, but in places of infection). On the viral origin may indicate and the number of growths - the callus is often one, and warts can be several (but this is not necessarily). A scraping, biopsy and analysis of biological material to confirm the presence of DNA fragments of papillomavirus by polymerase chain reaction may be prescribed.

A cracked callus is differentiated from a neoplasm, fungal infections also contribute to the formation of a thickened layer of skin, its cracking. In addition, the presence of a rod or fibrous structure beneath the top layer of keratinized skin is detected.

If calluses are constantly forming, even when wearing comfortable, natural shoes, it is necessary to diagnose the child's somatic condition. He or she may have congenital or traumatic foot pathology or, for example, diabetes mellitus. If a general illness is suspected, laboratory and/or device tests are ordered at the doctor's discretion.

Treatment of the a dry callus in a child

Callus, which does not hurt and is not inflamed, that is, does not bother its "host", requires medical intervention more in diagnostic terms. It is necessary to accurately establish the origin of the dry "island" of thickened skin. To remove the callus from children's feet, it can be enough to use folk remedies. Medications used to treat children are used only in cases of ineffectiveness of folk methods. Their appointment depends on the age and individual sensitivity of the child. Apply external means - creams, solutions, ointments, plasters. In addition, it is necessary to remove the provoking factor (change shoes, wear socks according to the size, etc.), otherwise the treatment will not bring the expected effect.

Medical treatment is carried out with keratolytic agents - softening and promoting the rejection of the stratum corneum. They are applied to the steamed callus. To do this, the child's feet are immersed in a basin of water 38-40 ℃ and kept there for some time to soften the skin. Soap and a tablespoon of baking soda can be added to the water. After that, gently scrape off the top layer of rough skin with a pumice stone or a foot file. The feet are thoroughly wiped, and they are ready for the application of the chosen product.

In pediatric practice, preparations with salicylic acid are widely used. When used externally, the active ingredient is not absorbed into the systemic bloodstream in significant doses. Keratolytic effect is exerted by ointments with high doses of salicylic acid, so a 10% ointment is used to remove dry calluses. It is applied strictly on the callus and cover the sore with a bandage. The procedure is done once a day at night. In complex cases, the treatment is carried out twice: in the morning and in the evening. Salicylic ointment, like other drugs can cause a local allergic reaction: itching, redness rash. In this case, treatment is carried out with other means.

For example, celandine paste extract is used. It is sold in pharmacies. Before use, one coffee spoon of the extract is diluted with the same amount of water. This composition lubricates the callus 2-3 times a day. Let it dry up. No bandage is not required. Apply strictly on the callus. The next day, a fresh portion is prepared. Contraindicated only in cases of individual hypersensitivity to celandine.

Liquid celandine extract "Cisto-Biol" is used for blisters undiluted. After treating the callus with celandine extract in any form at least once a day, e.g. Before going to bed, steam the feet and remove the exfoliated layer of skin.

Nowadays, there are many remedies for calluses, such as the callus patch. This is a very convenient remedy. A strip of plaster is well fixed on the foot. It is glued on the steamed callus and do not remove for about two days (according to the instructions to the patch). Periodically, the patch is removed and peel off the layer of softened callus. Depending on its thickness, the effect may come immediately, or you may need to stick the plaster several times.

You can find a patch for any budget and with different bases - cotton or polymer. Most of them are based on salicylic acid: Salipod, Dr. House (salicylic acid), Sali Disk, Saliplast Plus, Luxplast.

In addition to acting directly on the callus, the doctor may prescribe vitamins to get rid of it and prevent the appearance of new growths. For example, dry skin is one of the symptoms of vitamins A, E, B2 or B3 deficiency.

Physiotherapy treatment can help to get rid of calluses. It has practically no contraindications and side effects, will improve blood circulation and skin quality, and will be a good prevention of new calluses. Soothing and moisturizing baths, heat procedures such as paraffin applications, massages with vitamin creams will be useful in the treatment of calluses.

Folk treatment

Recipes of folk healers for the elimination of dry calluses in a child will be most suitable. Means used to soften the keratinized skin area (lemon, honey, aloe, soda), are not as toxic as medications, and given their external use, then the contraindications to such treatment are minimal - hypersensitivity to a particular substance and wounds on the skin near the callus.

Before applying any folk remedy, the child's feet should be "steamed". This procedure takes about a quarter of an hour. You can just in water at a temperature of 37-40 ℃, and you can in the following solution: in a liter jar of water dissolve a tablespoon of baking soda and the same amount of soap chips. This solution is already therapeutic in itself, soda disinfects and softens the keratinized skin. After steaming the skin on the callus scraped with a file for feet or pumice stone, rinse and dry feet, lubricate the feet moisturizing children's cream. If the procedure is carried out before bedtime, you can put cotton socks on the child at night.

An effective remedy is also considered a solution with an infusion of sage. Boil two tablespoons of herbs in a glass. After half an hour, strain and pour the infusion into a basin with a solution of soda (two tablespoons per two liters of water). Feet are kept in the basin for 15-20 minutes, then treat the callus with a file, rinse the feet, wipe them with a towel and lubricate with baby cream.

After steaming, you can apply a piece of lemon, aloe or honey to the callus. Fix it with food film, put on a terry cloth or woolen sock. Leave overnight. In the morning, wash, scrape off the white skin on the callus with a pumice stone and lubricate with baby cream.

In the same way you can apply crushed garlic, raw potatoes, propolis, tea tree oil.

Folk healers also recommend simply smearing calluses onion juice or a piece of tomato, apply to the area of horny skin boiled in milk warm prunes (as soon as it cools, take another piece) or black bread soaked in vinegar.

Foot baths are made with baking soda and manganese, salt, baking soda and a few drops of ammonia.

Herbal treatment of calluses depends on the season. In summer, you can smear the callus with fresh celandine juice, aiming, not touching the adjacent healthy skin or make compresses of fresh calendula flowers, pouring them boiling water and grind them into a mush. This procedure is carried out at night. On the steamed callus put a little calendula gruel, cover it with a leaf of plantain. Tape to the foot with a bandage, put on a sock made of natural raw materials. The skin should "breathe". Even for the information of neglected calluses, seven daily procedures are enough.

In winter, to eliminate and prevent blisters make baths with infusions of chamomile, calendula, the already mentioned sage.

Homeopathy

This direction of alternative medicine can also help to get rid of calluses and prevent their appearance in the future.

Excessive keratinization of the skin on the soles of the feet, in the area of the heel lends itself well to treatment with Antimonium crudum or antimony tri-sulfur. Such calluses often hurt, especially when walking on uneven stony roads.

Calluses located on the big toe suggest the use of Ranunculus sceleratus or Poison Buttercup, in case of inflamed calluses Lycopodium (Sycamore) or Sepia (contents of the black cuttlefish bag) can help. Silicea (Silicic acid), Causticum (Gunneman's Caustic Soda), Hypericum (Hypericum) and other preparations are also used. For the treatment to be successful, it is necessary to consult a practicing homeopath. Drugs are prescribed not only on one symptom - the presence of a callus and its localization. It is necessary to take into account many other factors - the constitution of the patient, his inclinations, preferences. Even appearance is important. A properly prescribed drug will help to get rid not only of the callus, but also improve the somatic status of the patient.

Surgical treatment

Surgery in the treatment of dry callus in a child is rarely resorted to. Usually conservative methods are sufficient. But if they do not help, the callus is painful and negatively affects the posture and gait of the child, then surgical treatment is used.

If a rod is present, it can be surgically removed. The operation is performed under local anesthesia. An experienced surgeon removes the rod at one time, then ointment is placed in the cavity to heal the wound.

Surgery may be required to correct congenital or acquired foot defects. The extent of this is individualized.

Laser callus removal is rather referred not to surgery, but to laser therapy. In this method, the rough layers of skin are vaporized without affecting healthy areas. The procedure is called laser photothermolysis.

Prevention

There is only one way to avoid calluses - by preventing traumatic stress on the surface of the skin.

Care should be taken to ensure that children's shoes and hosiery are the right size for their feet, that their feet are dry, and that their nails are trimmed.

When choosing shoes for your child, you should make sure that they are made of quality material, fit properly, and are comfortable for your child. It makes sense to check the inside for seams, creases and irregularities.

New shoes should always be put on a sock and not taken for a long walk. Even an old and tried-and-true pair of shoes should not be worn barefoot.

If you still find that the skin of the child reddened in some place of the foot, you should immediately take preventive measures: disinfect and seal this place with a plaster, put on dry and clean pantyhose or socks, before going to bed treat it with a healing ointment, such as bepanthen, rescuer or sea buckthorn oil. Wear another pair of shoes until the redness goes away.

If calluses form frequently, it is necessary to consult a doctor and examine the child, as this may indicate that his or her health condition requires correction.

Forecast

In the vast majority of cases with such a nuisance as a dry callus in a child, you can cope with home remedies, if its appearance is not associated with congenital pathologies or general diseases. And careful attention and care of the skin of the feet will prevent the appearance of new calluses.