Foot Problems

Cause of Corns

Ill-fitting shoes are the usual cause of corns, and they will usually disappear when the pressure is removed. The corn is composed of hardened layers of the outer portion of the skin. Treatment Salicylic acid is the basic drug in most commercial corn cures. Apply the preparation, night and morning for several days, being careful not to get any on the surrounding skin, and then soak the corn in hot water.

Cause of Callus

Callus is a localized thickening of the outer horny layer of the skin; it is brought on by pressure and friction of the skin. The palms of the hands and the soles of the feet are most commonly affected. Cures can result only when the pressure or the friction is removed. This is not always possible, as when the bones of the foot or toes are not in perfect alignment, thereby causing uneven distribution of the body weight. Calluses are likely to develop on those parts of the foot receiving the greatest body weight. Fallen arches are the chief cause of unequal distribution of the weight.

Treatment

The same remedy as for corns may be used to remove calluses, but the causative factor should be corrected in so far as possible. A physician or one who specializes in disorders of the feet should be consulted. For ordinary calluses on the bottom of the feet use rough sandpaper, rubbing the calloused places down night and morning if necessary.

 Cause of Athlete's Foot

The various kinds of epidermophytosis are due to fungi which grow well in damp dark places, such as about swimming pools, shower baths, club houses, and on certain materials, such as leather goods and woolen articles. Infection is therefore often transmitted by shoes, gloves, and other wearing apparel. The disease is rapidly on the increase because of the greater opportunities for infection.

Prevention

One should not walk on the floor of shower rooms without wearing bathing slippers to protect the feet. Do not wear any article, such as an athletic support or belt, which has been worn by someone else, until it has been completely sterilized.

Symptoms

Epidermophytosis is known by a common name - athlete's foot. The toes and the feet are the parts most affected, with the hands, groin, pubic area, and arms and legs next in order. There is usually a cracking, peeling off, and whitening of the skin of the feet, especially between the toes. Infection by pus-forming germs may occur. The disorder lasts from a few weeks to months, or years, and it has a tendency to recur.

How It Affects the Legs

The symptoms are not so severe on the leg, where the surface is not continually moist. Here there is slight redness, itching, scaling, and spreading outward of the process from the edge.

Treatment

Athlete's foot ointment is the standard remedy. The part involved should be washed, rubbing well enough to remove the dead skin and scales, before applying the ointment. Use the ointment daily for several days but do not cover the infected place with a gauze or bandage. Watch carefully for too much peeling of the skin, as there is then greater danger of pus infection. Some burning will be noticed when the ointment is applied, especially if there are cracks in the skin. Repeat the treatment after a day or two or until the skin looks pink and healthy.