Corns (Latin term: Clavus) are a punctual increase of the cornea, usually due to increased mechanical pressure or friction. These are roundish, delimited skin symptoms that may be perceived as disturbing from a purely cosmetic point of view, but in some cases can also lead to severe pain. To make these disappear as quickly as possible, various manufacturers offer so-called corn plasters. However, these can contain different active ingredients and therefore do not always develop their effect in the same way.
Mode of action
The application of such plasters should on the one hand ensure purely mechanical protection and padding, and on the other hand make the corn disappear by regularly wearing the plaster. The skin is first softened by means of special gels and, if necessary, almost completely disappears by adding salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is a cornea-dissolving drug that attacks the connections between corneal cells, loosens them and thus causes their desquamation.
In principle, patches with and without salicylic acid are available on the market. If no salicylic acid is present, the patch is usually used to relieve the affected skin area. It is therefore often referred to as a pressure-relief patch.
By eliminating the increased pressure and frictional stress, such patches may cause the corn to shrink somewhat. However, both suitable footwear without pressure points and insoles can have the same effect in the case of a foot malposition. If salicylic acid is contained, it is usually located in the middle of a foam ring and should lie directly on the corn.
The patch is then usually left in place for several days and the cornea of the corn is softened. Afterwards it can be removed very easily with the help of a warm foot bath. If necessary, the patch can be reapplied and the cornea removed completely. All in all, such patches are a good pre-treatment option for corn removal. However, salicylic acid is a drug that may also be associated with certain risks.
