Corns, warts, and calluses are diseases in which the skin becomes thickened. There are several ways to get rid of corns, warts, and calluses. One way is to use topical medications that contain keratolytic (skin thinning) substances, such as salicylic acid.
Corns, warts, and calluses usually occur on the feet and hands, but they can appear anywhere on the body. Calluses are generally painless, while corns and warts can be painful if you press or rub them.
Causes and Symptoms of Fisheye, Warts, and Calluses
Both eyelets and calluses appear as a form of skin protection against friction or pressure. Friction or pressure that occurs repeatedly causes thickening of the skin. Wearing shoes that don't fit properly, often not wearing socks, playing a musical instrument such as the guitar, or using a hand tool frequently can increase the risk of developing calluses or calluses. Both conditions are not contagious.
Meanwhile, warts are caused by viruses from the group human papillomavirus (HPV). The HPV virus triggers cell growth that makes the outer layer of the skin thicken and harden. Warts are an infectious disease that can be transmitted through skin contact or sharing personal items, such as towels or razors, with people who have warts.
The following are some of the signs and symptoms of these three skin diseases:
- Fish eyeThe characteristics of fish eyes are small, thick, dry, and have a hard center surrounded by inflamed skin. Eyelets tend to grow on the legs that don't support weight. For example the top of the foot or toes. However, fish eye can also grow on the soles of the feet in the area around the arch of the foot and heel. If you press it, the fish eye that grows on the sole of the foot will feel pain.
- wartWarts are of various types depending on their shape and location. Some are like growing flesh, resembling moles, or those that are flat on the surrounding skin.
- Calluses
Calluses are larger than fisheyes but are rarely painful. Calluses tend to grow on the weight-bearing parts of the feet, namely the soles of the feet. However, it can also occur in the hands or knees that are often under pressure. Callused skin feels thicker, rougher, and less sensitive.
Treating Fisheye, Warts, and Calluses
One way to get rid of fish eyes, warts, and calluses is with keratolytic drugs that can thin the skin. Generally, keratolytic drugs contain:
- Salicylic acid
To treat warts, the required concentration of salicylic acid solution is 5-27%. Meanwhile, to treat fish eyes and calluses, the required concentration is even higher, which is 12-27%.
- Lactic acid
Lactic acid works by increasing the moisture in the skin, by trapping more water so that the skin becomes softer. Lactic acid also has keratolytic properties that act similarly to salicylic acid.
- Polidocanol
Polidocanol acts as a local anesthetic and moisturizer, so it can reduce itching on dry and hardened skin.
Treatment of fish eyes, warts, and calluses using the three ingredients above, can take several days to several weeks. The thicker the thickened skin, the longer it will take to get the expected results. To speed up the softening of the skin tissue, you can cover the part of the skin that was treated with gauze. Although relatively safe to use, salicylic acid can cause several side effects when used in excess, namely skin irritation, skin feeling hot or sore, and redness of the skin.
As a self-care at home, you can also thin out the tough skin on the eyeballs and calluses using a pumice stone. The trick, soak the pumice stone in warm water, then gently rub the pumice stone on the fish eyes or calluses. Use circular motions to remove dead skin layers. What must be remembered, do not use sharp objects to peel the skin, because it can cause injury and infection.
Meanwhile, to treat warts caused by viruses, the doctor may suggest other treatments and surgical procedures, especially if the warts often grow back.
Corns, warts, and calluses are usually fairly cured with over-the-counter keratolytics. Do use according to the directions on the package or recommended for use by a doctor and avoid applying the drug to healthy parts of the skin. However, if the results are not visible, you are advised to visit a dermatologist.