Calluses

　　The cause of calluses is long-term pressure and friction at the affected site, which blocks local blood and Qi circulation and causes the skin to lose nutrition. It often occurs at the prominent parts of the palm and sole. Symptoms include thickening of the skin at the affected site, most pronounced in the center, feeling hard or painful when touched, unclear edges, smooth surface, and yellowish or light yellow-brown color. If it occurs on the foot, it may affect walking due to pain. Treatment can be to cut off the thickened part with a knife, then apply crystal ointment, and at the same time, you can also use the powder of raw pinellia, mixed with cool water to apply to the affected area. Calluses are caused by long-term mechanical stimulation. If the shoes worn are too small, too tight, or the quality of the shoes is too hard; if the metatarsal bones are too prominent, or too thin, calluses are also easy to form. In addition, calluses may also appear at specific sites in individuals engaged in certain professions.

　　Common causes of calluses on the sole: Due to the need for long periods of walking or standing in certain professions, wearing shoes that do not fit well, preferring to wear pointed, narrow, tight high-heeled leather shoes, and abnormal walking posture, etc. The disease develops slowly, without symptoms in the early stage, and acute onset is often followed by friction blisters that form. After a long time, the skin damage thickens, and severe cases are accompanied by tenderness. Clinically, patients are prone to confusion with corns. Corns show smaller skin damage, with needle-shaped cone-shaped keratin plugs embedded in the skin of the sole, with significant pain when pressed.

　　Commonly found on the palm or sole of the foot skin. Due to long-term pressure or friction, local blood and Qi circulation is blocked, leading to hyperkeratosis and thickening of the skin, which is most common at the prominent parts of the sole and palm. The thickening of the skin is most pronounced in the center, feeling hard when touched, with unclear edges, smooth surface, and yellowish or light yellow-brown color, usually without any自觉 symptoms. However, there may also be calluses on the heel or sole. Due to excessive pressure or secondary infection, they become hard and swollen with pain, making it impossible to walk, and are called 'Niucheng Jie'.

　　Callus is a reflexive protective response of the skin to long-term mechanical friction, which usually does not affect health and labor. The reflexive protective action caused by friction thickens the stratum corneum, forming a localized keratin plate. It presents as waxy yellow keratin patches. Severe cases may have tenderness.

　　Callus usually occurs in areas of the foot skin that bear weight, such as the heel, the skin below the first and fifth metatarsal heads, and generally causes no pain. Due to long-term pressure or friction, local blood and Qi circulation is blocked, leading to keratin proliferation and thickening of the skin, which is more common in the prominent areas of the sole and palm. However, there may also be calluses on the heel or metatarsal. Due to excessive pressure or secondary infection, they may become hard, swollen, and painful. If there is foot deformity, they can occur in corresponding weight-bearing areas, such as in flat-footed individuals, the transverse arch may collapse below the second to fourth metatarsal heads. The calluses of clubfoot are often found on the lateral side of the foot. Pain occurs only when there is a change in the deep layer of the callus. They are commonly found in the prominent areas of the palm and sole. Symptoms include thickening of the skin at the affected area, with the center being the thickest, feeling hard or painful to the touch, unclear edges, and a smooth surface, usually yellowish or pale yellow-brown. If they occur on the foot, pain may affect walking.

　　Callus is a hard and smooth keratin thickening caused by long-term skin compression and friction, which is a reflexive protective response of the skin to long-term mechanical friction. It usually does not affect health and labor. The reflexive protective action caused by friction thickens the stratum corneum, forming a localized keratin plate. It presents as waxy yellow keratin patches. The boundary is unclear, and it is harder to the touch. The surface skin pattern is clearly visible, local sweat secretion is reduced, and sensation is dull. The onset is gradual, and there are usually no自觉 symptoms. Severe cases may have tenderness.

　　The prevention of callus should include reducing local friction and pressure, wearing appropriate soft-soled shoes and boots, or using soft insoles. Pay attention to combining work and rest, strengthening labor protection, and wearing gloves during work. Patients should wear comfortable shoes with flexible and soft soles, and can place soft and elastic foam pads in the shoes to reduce friction on the toes and metatarsals.

　　Since callus is a protective response to long-term mechanical friction, it usually does not require treatment. For those with large calluses and pain symptoms, hot water immersion followed by the removal of some thick keratin with a blade can be used. External application of keratolytic agents such as sulfur salicylic acid ointment, 30% salicylic acid collodion, and 0.3% tretinoin ointment can be applied.

　　Callus is a self-protective keratin proliferation response of local skin to long-term mechanical friction and pressure stimulation, commonly known as '茧子', and is more common in blacksmiths, carpenters, shoemakers, or mechanical workers' hands, or in the compressed areas of the soles of those who often walk and stand. The skin damage is manifested as pale yellow and firm keratin proliferation plaques, with the center thicker, the surface smooth, local sensation dull, and mild tenderness. Callus is generally diagnosed by medical history and clinical manifestations.

　　Calluses refer to the abnormal hardening and thickening of the skin and other tissues, also known as corns. They are local flat keratin hyperplasia of the skin on the hands and feet caused by long-term pressure and friction. The manifestations are localized thickening of the skin on the palm and sole of the foot. The cause of the disease is long-term pressure and friction at the affected site, which blocks local Qi and blood, leading to skin malnutrition. Since calluses are a protective response to long-term mechanical friction, they generally do not require treatment. For those with large calluses and pain symptoms, treatment can be used to soften the calluses with hot water and then trim them with a small knife blade.

　　And daily diet and health care are also important for the treatment of calluses. First, patients should quit smoking and drinking, and pay attention to eating staple foods such as rice, wheat, corn, and millet. Pay attention to fat intake, especially essential fatty acids. Essential fatty acids are rich in plant oils such as soybean oil, sesame oil, and peanut oil, which are unsaturated fatty acids. Patients should pay attention to a reasonable diet, and the diet should be light and nutritious. Eat more vegetables and fruits. Eat more high-fiber foods such as vegetables and fruits, and more high-protein foods such as soybeans and milk.

　　Calluses are hard and smooth keratin thickening that occurs due to long-term pressure and friction on the skin, which is a reflex protective response of the skin to long-term mechanical friction. Generally, it does not affect health and labor. The reflex protective action caused by friction thickens the stratum corneum, forming a localized keratin plate, and severe cases may have pressure pain. There are many treatment methods for calluses, and the following experts introduce the method of traditional Chinese medicine treatment for calluses.

　　1. For initial skin damage, use the dog spine water wash solution (Clematis manshurica, Citrus reticulata, Asarum sieboldii, Cyperus rotundus) to soak the affected area.

　　2. If the skin is thick and difficult to break after a long time, and there is pain, first soak the affected area in hot water, then use a small knife to trim, and then apply the corn plaster (cinnabar, salicylic acid, starch) and ox horn powder externally.

　　3. Apply externally with 50% salicylic acid ointment, salicylic acid cotton, and other preparations.