How to get rid of dry calluses on the toes: products, patches, ointments
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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It is much more reasonable to start the treatment of various skin tumors while they are still only a cosmetic defect and do not hurt. Moreover, there are many opportunities today. Studying the information on how to remove dry callus on the foot, using pharmaceutical means and home treatment, we made a list of suitable drugs for different groups:
- Creams and ointments for dry calluses on the feet are based on acids, which soften coarsened skin and promote its regeneration.
- The main active ingredient is salicylic acid (salicylic ointment, zinc-salicylic paste, sulfur-salicylic ointment, Nemozol, Mozolin and Namozol 911 creams, 5 days paste, Stoletnik cream heels, etc.) d.) Among the liquid preparations, it is worth noting the corn tincture from Gevor, the “Duofilm” solution, etc. Under the influence of salicylic acid, drying, destruction and exfoliation of the horny layer of corn occur. In addition, it is considered a good antiseptic. What prevents inflammation during treatment. Additional components of the funds from corns have a softening, antiseptic, and some fungicidal action.
- The active substance is salicylic and / or lactic acid (creams "Kollomak", "Effect" softening for the feet of the company "Freedom", "Super Antimozol", cream for the feet from corns and corns "Green pharmacy" solution "Solcoderm"). The action of these creams is less aggressive, but they also solve the problem well, how to get rid of dry corns.
- Remedies for dry calluses on the feet based on alkali (potassium and / or sodium hydroxide): “Super Cleaner”, “Super Cleaner” in the form of a liquid and a pencil. These remedies dry out and burn pathological growths on the skin, but their action is very aggressive and can leave scars on the body.
- Remedies for dry corns with urea (Natural Aid cream, Vartoks cream-paste, Faberlik compress cream, Sophia cream with leech extract and urea, Healer cream from corns and corns, etc.).
- Funds with celandine extract (celandine extract and juice, Stopmozol and Corn Ka cosmetic liquids with celandine extract, Mountain Celandine balm).
- If there is no time for the treatment of corn, there is a question about how to quickly remove the corn at home, you should pay attention to athechny means for burning corn with the active substance phenol or podophyllotoxin (Feresol, Verucid, Condilin).
- For quick removal of dry corns by freezing (cryodestruction), Wartner Cryo and Cryopharma aerosols are used.
- Removal of old corns by deep peeling can be carried out using the Warner pen applicator.
- Plasters (adhesive plasters) for dry calluses on the feet:
- Compeed plaster (Compid) 3 types: from dry calluses between the toes, plantar from corns and from dry corns and corns on the legs. Made on the basis of a special hydrogel, which softens the corn, facilitates its rapid removal and healing of the wound, acting as a second skin.
- Mozolin plaster based on salicylic acid and sulfur. It has a pronounced keratolotic effect.
- Plaster "Salipod" (similar to "Mozolin" in composition and action).
- Corn plaster "Multiplast", which in addition to sulfur and salicylic acid contains dimexide, which promotes deeper penetration of the drug into the stratum corneum of the skin.
- URGOKOR corn-based on the basis of wax, macrogol and other components that provide the patch with keratolytic properties, i.e. Promote softening and removal of dry calluses on the feet.
- LeukoPlaster corn, which helps both soften and remove dry corn.
These and many other products, which can be purchased in pharmacies, cosmetics stores, distributors, help more or less quickly get rid of unaesthetic and painful growths. At the same time, many prefer salicylic acid based solutions, creams and patches, which act quickly and reliably. Moreover, the cost of drugs, which include salicylic acid, is relatively low. Not everyone is ready for the treatment of a dangerous neoplasm to part with a large amount of money, for example, to buy a patch with hydrogel or funds from Faberlic or Avon.
But it is important to understand that no expensive remedy for corns will give the expected effect if you do not exclude a source of pressure or friction of the foot tissues. It is impossible to cure a blister if you continue to wear sandals with rubbing straps or shoes with a thin sole through which all the pebbles are felt.
However, if the corn has already appeared, then any closed shoes will be for her violence, because it will additionally rub and put pressure on the sore spot. In this case, it is recommended to purchase silicone (or gel) liners in shoes, which will help reduce injury to the growth during treatment, and in the future can be used as a preventive measure against the appearance of new calluses.
Do not forget that before treating calluses from the shoes at home, you need to clarify the type of neoplasm. And this can only be done by a specialist. The fact is that the treatment with the above described means of corns, formed on the background of activation of a viral and fungal infection (core corn), may not have a lasting effect if local immunity is not increased and the growth of pathogenic microflora is suppressed.
To combat fungal infection, which has resisted the strength of salicylic acid with its characteristic fungicidal action, use more powerful agents with antifungal activity (ointment "Clotrimazole", "Exoderil", "Lamisil", etc.), and only after the fungus will be inactivated, it makes sense to proceed to the removal of corn. To combat viruses, use "Oxolinic ointment", gel "Panavir", paste "Vartoks", which inhibit the division of virus cells, thereby stopping its reproduction.
All these tools can be safely applied in combination with anti-ash preparations, thereby making the treatment of dry corn with a rod more effective.
Effective means and their use
Above, we have listed some of the existing pharmaceutical and cosmetic products that can be used to treat dry calluses on the legs. Now consider how you can use the most popular and effective ones.
Let's start with therapeutic and cosmetic products based on acids, which are most often used to remove dry corns at home.
“Kollomak” is a pharmaceutical preparation, which consists of salicylic and lactic acid, as well as polydocanol, which provides protein denaturation and local anesthesia of corn. Such a composition of the drug provides it with beneficial effects for the treatment of solid corn: keratolytic (softening the stratum corneum and facilitating its exfoliation), disinfecting (salicylic acid is a powerful antiseptic that can fight against bacteria and fungi), anesthetic.
The drug is used to treat various types of corns, including the corns and foci of hyperkeratosis.
"Kollomak" - an external agent in the form of a solution, which is applied to the corn once or twice a day. For a single use, 1 drop of the product is enough, which is quickly absorbed and dries. In most cases, treatment lasts 3-4 days.
Before applying the solution to the callus, it is recommended that the foot be steamed out in order to facilitate the penetration of the active substances into the foot tissue. Peeling corns should be periodically cleaned with pumice or a special foot brush after a warm foot bath.
If there is a lot to callus, you need to take into account that no more than 10 ml of the drug can be used per day (1 bottle).
This preparation can treat corns in children older than 2 years, but the maximum daily dose in this case will be 10 times less - 1 ml. Doctors do not recommend kiddies to handle several corns at the same time.
To remove corns, the drug is approved for use during pregnancy and lactation, but it cannot be applied to large areas of skin.
The drug can not be used in case of hypersensitivity to salicylates or any components of the drug, as well as in severe impaired renal function. It is not intended for the treatment of children under 2 years of age. In childhood, it is not recommended for use if the child is sick or had viral diseases the day before.
Among the side effects should pay attention to the possible allergic manifestations and intolerance reactions of the drug, which manifest as redness, itching and swelling of tissues. If the medicine gets on healthy skin, it may cause a burning sensation, the appearance of dryness and flaking of the skin, the development of contact dermatitis.
"Mozolin" - a cosmetic based on salicylic and benzoic acids with the addition of vaseline and lemon essential oil. Acids soften the horny layer of the corn and make it more friable, petroleum jelly provides additional softening and protection of the skin, and lemon oil nourishes the skin, enhances local immunity and thus prevents relapse of core growths. This tool is specifically designed to remove dry calluses and corns, so it is attached to it a clear instructions for use.
The tool should be applied to the corn, which is then covered with a gauze cloth. The design is attached to the leg with a plaster so that it does not move within 6-8 hours, so that the drug has the stated effect. At the end of this time, the gauze, together with the plaster, removes and scrubs the softened fabrics.
The number of procedures depends on the size of the corns and the depth of its penetration into soft tissues. 1-2 procedures are enough for removal of natopys, and it may take several days to combat core callus.
The manufacturer does not stipulate contraindications to this remedy, so it remains to assume that it can be dangerous only for people with hypersensitivity to its components, as a result of which local irritation may occur.
"Vartoks" - a paste that is used to remove warts on the sole of the foot. And since it is believed that such innovations, like corns, appear when viruses are introduced into the body (in particular, human papillomavirus), the tool is quite applicable for the treatment of this form of dry corns on the legs.
Vartoks paste refers to inexpensive keratolytic and antiviral agents. Urea, which is considered an exfoliant, provides a softening and peeling effect. Thanks to microscopic molecules, the substance is able to penetrate to a greater depth, breaking the bonds between the particles of the stratum corneum. As a result, the tissues of the corns become looser and softer, which makes them easy to slough off. Moreover, urea also has an antiseptic effect, helping to fight bacteria and fungi that have settled on the skin.
Another active ingredient of the paste is glycyrrhizic acid, which has the ability to inhibit the multiplication of viruses that affect the formation and progression of dry calluses with a stem.
Before applying the paste on the corn, the build-up must be pre-steamed and cut with scissors (cleaned with pumice stone) softened fabrics. The therapeutic composition is applied on the remaining tissues of corn and covered with a piece of napkin or cotton pad, after which we glue the adhesive tape well so that the bandage does not move over the skin.
The bandage should be on the skin during the day. It is undesirable to wet it so that the paste does not dissolve. In a day we remove the construction, wash the corn with soap and warm water, then remove the swollen tissues and reapply the paste.
For removal of corns and warts medium size requires from 2 to 5 procedures. Removing large growths may take longer.
Contraindications to the use of this tool is not described. No side effects are also mentioned. It is only said that the treatment is painless, so the paste is often used to treat children who do not like aggressive remedies that cause burning, and cauterizing hardware procedures. As well as possible it is suitable for the treatment of future mothers.
"Verrukatsid" is a pharmaceutical preparation in the form of a solution on the basis of phenol, which has a cauterizing and necrotizing effect, and metacresol, a substance with an antibacterial effect, capable of accelerating wound healing at the site of the corn. Due to the high coagulation abilities of phenol, the hyperkeratosis area (dry corn) exfoliates from the other tissues and is necrotized, which makes it easy to remove it from the remaining depression. At the same time, viruses that are activated in the area of corns are also dying. And metacresol will contribute to the inhibition of the depression formed after the removal of the corn and prevent its infection.
"Verrukatsid" - an extremely aggressive tool that can only be used externally and only on pathologically changed areas, trying to avoid getting the solution on the delicate tissues around the corn to avoid burns. The bottle with the drug is equipped with a special applicator, with which the tool can be safely applied to calluses and warts, although if desired, you can use a wooden stick.
For quick removal of corns and dry calluses on the legs, they first apply any ointment with a softening and peeling effect (based on urea or acids), cover the growth with film or compress paper and leave for a few hours. After removing the compress, the corn is steamed for a quarter of an hour and the softened tissues are removed with the help of pumice.
Before applying the product Verucid, the corn is dried. To remove dry corn, it usually takes up to 4 applications with short intervals (up to 5 minutes) required for the solution to dry and absorb.
Since an aggressive solution is dangerous for healthy tissues around the corn, it is recommended to lubricate them with a protective cream. Zinc paste is ideal for this purpose.
The drug "Verucid" is not used for hypersensitivity to phenol and its other components. Do not use on large areas with corns. Children of the procedure with the use of this tool are allowed from 7 years, although such treatment is unlikely they will like. Pregnant women and nursing mothers can use the drug to remove dry warts on the legs, because the tool does not penetrate into the blood, breast milk and through the placental barrier.
The use of the drug may be accompanied by the development of allergic reactions and swelling of the tissues around the corn. Contact with healthy skin is accompanied by a burn of tissues, which is indicated by burning and redness of the damaged area. In this case, you need a soft cloth to gently remove the tool and wipe the burn with alcohol-containing antiseptic, lotion, cologne, vodka with a share of alcohol not more than 40%. Next, the wound is washed with warm water and soap, after which it is necessary to apply any wound-healing cream or remedy for burns (ideally “Panthenol”).
The Warner pen applicator is a very powerful tool that is used to remove old ingrown roots deep into the soft tissue of corns. Its active substance is trichloroacetic acid, which is considered the strongest reagent and quite toxic substance. And considering that trichloacetic acid is in a high concentration in the preparation, it is recommended to treat only small patches of skin with hyperkeratosis.
The applicator pen contains a concentrated gel, which is able to consistently exfoliate even the roughest areas of keratinization of the skin, removing along with the corn and its core. At the same time, according to the manufacturer’s assurances, a new healthy skin begins to form on the spot of the corn.
Before you apply the tool, it is recommended to steam the corn for 5-10 minutes, remove the softened tissue with pumice stone or file and wipe the limb dry. On a healthy skin around the corn you need to apply a fat cream, which is necessary to protect it from the aggressive effects of the active substance.
Turn the handle tip down, and slowly begin to twist the cap in the upper part in a clockwise direction. After 3-4 seconds, the gel will go down the applicator. Apply a spot on the fabric of corns, trying not to get on healthy skin. We wait about 15 minutes so that the product dries out properly, after which it is possible to put on shoes.
It takes only 4 daily procedures to remove old calluses. Over the next 4-5 days, there will be an active detachment of coarse callus tissues, which are easily removed under running water.
With insufficient effect, the treatment can be repeated after 4 days. In total there can be no more than four such courses.
If the product inadvertently gets into healthy skin, the foot should be washed with plenty of water and soap. You should not apply a thick layer of gel, so that it does not fall on the adjacent areas and does not cause their inflammation. An aggressive gel can damage not only the skin, but also the fabric of clothing, upholstery, jewelry, so you need to use the tool with extreme caution.
The drug is not intended for the treatment of children under 4 years of age. It is undesirable to use it together with other remedies for calluses, and it is recommended to protect the skin after applying the gel from direct sunlight. Pregnant women, nursing moms and patients with diabetes before using the "Warner" should consult with your doctor.
Side effects of the drug include burning and the development of inflammatory reactions at the site of application. To avoid this, you need to protect healthy skin and not apply the tool to areas of the skin with redness, irritation, wounds, especially those infected.
The Wartner Cryo aerosol is another Wartner product from the Netherlands, designed to remove unaesthetic growths on the skin, which helps to remove dry calluses on the legs through cryodestruction (freezing). And for this you do not need to visit expensive clinics and salons, where they conduct such procedures.
The active substance of the aerosol is presented in the form of a mixture of dimethyl alcohol and propane, which does not harm the environment, but can easily ignite, so you need to use it away from fire in a ventilated room, so as not to inhale vapors.
In the package we find an aerosol, a reusable holder and 12 disposable applicators, a corn file and instructions for using the product.
Preparation for the procedure. First you need to take the applicator in your hand and squeeze its blue part. At the same time, a small hole should appear at the end where the holder rod is now inserted. Now, this design down with the applicator down into the upper part of the cylinder until the applicator disappears from view. Now, for three seconds, press firmly on the holder to pump the refrigerant into the applicator. This action will be accompanied by hissing, which should not scare.
Next, remove the holder with the applicator from the aerosol and wait 20 seconds while the coolant temperature drops low enough. Now you can apply the applicator to the corns, gently pressing on the holder. For the destruction of solid corn may take 35-40 seconds, during which it is necessary to ensure close contact of the applicator and the skin.
After the procedure, after a couple of minutes, you can remove the applicator from the holder using hand protection.
Peeling of corn occurs within 2 weeks. If the result is insufficient, the procedure can be repeated after this time. 1-3 treatments are usually enough. To make the treatment more effective, it is recommended to steam the corn before using the aerosol and remove the top layer with the included nail file. After the procedure, it is recommended to put a plaster in place of the frozen corns, which will prevent infection in the wound.
During and after the procedure, there may be a burning sensation and discomfort at the site of the corns, which is considered normal for a low-temperature procedure. For each subsequent cryotherapy session, you need to take a new applicator, and reuse the used one.
The tool is allowed to use from 4 years, but the conduct of cryodestruction should be entrusted only to adults. Pregnant women, nursing mothers, people suffering from diabetes and circulatory disorders can try on "Wartner Cryo" only with the permission of a doctor and with great care.
Some information for those who prefer treatment with self-prepared medicines. In order to make an effective medicine for dry corns, it is enough to stock up with distilled water and alkali metal hydroxide (potassium, sodium, calcium). Per 100 g of distilled water will need to take 3 grams of potassium hydroxide. If you use sodium hydroxide or calcium, we take them, respectively, 28 and 18 g.
The dry matter crystals in a ceramic container are thoroughly mixed in distilled water so that they completely dissolve. Pour the solution into a bottle of dark glass and cork a lid.
Now it remains for three days, 1 time per day, to lubricate the corn with the prepared composition. Under its influence, the tissues of the corn lose fluid, dry out and fall off. In this case, the skin is quickly restored, even in the delicate areas between the fingers. The treatment is free of inflammation and discomfort, it is not harmful to health, therefore it can be applied even to young children.
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How to make treatment more effective?
As you can see, what a means for removing dry calluses on the legs or for the treatment to be effective is a general requirement - pre-steaming the corns and removing the horny areas (as far as possible). This procedure allows you to increase the permeability of the tissues of corn for drugs. This means that less application of the drug is required to completely remove the painful and very inconvenient growth.
But what is steaming and how best to carry it out at home? Steaming corn is actually the practice of footbaths with water that is hot enough, but not burning the skin, into which it is recommended to add softening and disinfecting agents.
To remove dry calluses without a rod (corns), it is often enough 2-3 times to steam the legs and, with a nail or a nail or a brush, comb the softened tissues of the stratum corneum, and then lubricate the skin of the foot with any skin care cream.
But for the treatment of old tumblers and dry corns with a rod, steaming growths is an auxiliary procedure that is used at the preparatory stage of applying a medicinal product (pharmacy or prepared on the basis of alternative medicine recipes ).
What are the requirements for foot baths will help make them a really useful procedure:
- When it comes to treating dry calluses, mentioning warm foot baths involves using enough hot water, in which you need to dip the sole and toes for 10-15 minutes. If you use warm water softening the corn will not be so effective, and it will take more time. Too hot water can cause skin burns. Therefore, in all you need to know when to stop.
- Corn can be steamed in plain water, but it is best to add to it the means that will help soften the tissues of the new formation. In order not to go far, baking soda is perfectly suited for this purpose (1 spoon per liter of water). If you make a salt solution according to the same principle, it will have a disinfecting effect, and soda-salt or soap-soda solutions (we take 1 tablespoon soda and the second component: salt or liquid soap) to a liter of water will combine both useful effect.
Bright pink solution of potassium permanganate is also used as an antiseptic, and the softening of the corn is due to hot water. Sometimes this composition is recommended to add sea salt. It is believed that the combination of these components has an analgesic effect. But keep in mind that potassium permanganate has a noticeable drying effect, so the skin after the procedure will have to be lubricated with a moisturizing or oily cream.
Broths of herbs can be added to the water for foot baths (calendula, chamomile, pine or spruce needles with shoots). Such compositions will not only soften the coarsened skin in the area of the corn, but also reduce inflammation, fight pathogenic microflora, and deodorize the legs.
- In order for the drug to penetrate to a greater depth, which is especially important for the treatment of corn, it is not enough just to disassemble the growth. Additionally, it needs to be processed with tools that allow to remove some of the tissues of the corn, and the smaller it is, the fewer procedures it will need for it to go.
After holding the foot baths and removing the softened tissues, rinse and dry the feet (blot with a towel or napkin). Only after that can the therapeutic composition be applied to the corn.