The cornea (corneal (cell) layer, stratum corneum) is the outermost layer of the epidermis. It consists of squamous epithelial cells (corneocytes), which are actually already dead and therefore have neither a cell nucleus nor other cell organelles. Depending on how much mechanical stress the skin is exposed to at a certain point, the cornea can have between 12 and 200 layers of cells.
The corneal layer is usually thickest on the soles of the feet and palms of the hands. The cornea fulfils two very important functions:
- On the one hand, it provides a protective layer against external influences. Due to the sebum produced by the sebaceous glands in the cornea, the horny layer has a water-repellent effect.
- In addition, purely because of its thickness and strength, it provides protection against the effects of violence and also against the penetration of pathogens.
On the other hand, the protein keratin prevents (too much) water from evaporating from the skin to the outside.
In order to noticeably injure the cornea, a considerable amount of external force is required. Since the cornea is so thick and the cells inside have already died, injuries must go very deep or penetrate into neighboring, thinner skin areas before they become noticeable through pain. The most frequent injuries to the cornea occur when trying to remove it.
Many people feel disturbed by a cornea that is too thick (or calluses or corns). They therefore often resort to various aids to get rid of the unwanted cornea. There are some substances that treat the skin relatively gently.
These include various lotions, pastes and creams that can be applied to affected areas and also devices such as pumice stone, with which the excess callus can be sanded down comparatively gently. However, corneal planes are still frequently used. These have a blade similar to a razor that is used to plane off the cornea.
However, since the cornea is not equally pronounced in all areas, injuries to adjacent, thinner, healthy areas of the skin quickly occur. Especially in patients with diabetes, such injuries can be dangerous, since they are not perceived due to a limited pain sensation, are therefore not treated adequately and can become more and more extensive. The first thing to try is to get rid of the cornea by simply reducing the triggering conditions.
Thick calluses on the feet are often caused by, for example, incorrect, tight shoes. Then one should change to comfortable, loose shoes. If calluses on the hands have been caused by some kind of manual work, this work can be stopped if possible or you can wear gloves.
Regular care of the affected areas with creams or ointments can also be helpful. However, if such measures do not have sufficient effect or cannot be carried out at all, one goes one step further. There are various methods of corneal removal, but you must be careful not to be too radical and not to damage healthy skin or blood vessels when attempting to remove the cornea.
You should avoid cutting off thick corneas completely! Afterwards, it can happen that the cornea grows back even more strongly as compensation after the injury. The gentler option in this area is sandpaper or pumice, which can be used to remove the cornea layer by layer and the risk of injury is much lower.
Such measures work particularly well when the skin is softened, for example after a footbath or shower.
- Corneal shavings
- Corneal Planing
- Corneal sanding
There are various preparations on the market for this purpose, most of which contain salicylic acid. On the one hand, this acid has a corn-dissolving effect (keratolytic) and, on the other hand, it also acts against some microorganisms (antibacterial).
This is of additional use in corneal removal, as the skin is often irritated by a previously performed mechanical removal of the cornea, and thus germs can easily settle.When applying the product, however, care must be taken to ensure that the salicylic acid does not come into contact with healthy skin, as this can cause severe irritation, redness or itching, and in rare cases even manifest damage to the tissue. Another substance that is effective against calluses is urea, which is also a common ingredient of many creams for corneas. Urea (usually used in concentrations between 20 and 40% for this purpose) also has a moisturizing effect, which, as described above, also has a positive influence on the regeneration of cornea.
First of all, a trained chiropodist (podiatrist) is suitable for this. However, if you suspect that the increased corneal formation is due to an illness (for example psoriasis) or that there is a chronic inflammation, it is best to consult a doctor directly so that he can look at the affected areas and initiate further treatment. For the electrical removal of corneas, handheld devices are used.
When the device is switched on, a grinding roller rotates at high speed, which is equipped with either microgranules or diamond particles. The speed at which the grinding roller rotates around its own axis is usually more than 30 revolutions per second. Depending on the pressure exerted by the user, the rough surface of the roller can be used to remove the cornea and make the areas soft and smooth.
If it is a good product, the devices also have a protective mechanism that ensures that the device switches off immediately if the pressure is too high, in order to prevent injuries. Often the devices contain different attachments, depending on the area where the cornea is to be removed. For example, there is a fine attachment for removing light cornification, which also prevents injuries.
On the other hand, there is a coarse attachment to treat areas with severe cornification. When using the electric cornea removal, it is important to note that, unlike other methods of cornea removal, no footbath softening the cornea should be used before using the device, as the affected areas should never be wet when using the electric device. The feet should only be cleaned and well dried before.
Heat is generated by the friction of the roller, so the roller should not remain in one place for too long, but should always be kept moving. After use, it is advisable to cream the feet well with a care cream. Due to the built-in safety mechanism, the use of an electric cornea remover is very safe and there are fewer injuries than when using a cornea rasp or plane.
An electric cornea device costs on average 30€, although there are also cheaper and more expensive devices available. The main household remedy used to remove corneas is pumice stone. The pumice stone is a volcanic stone.
The method of cornea removal using pumice stone is a gentle method that must be repeated regularly. If the cornea is very thick, the pumice may not be aggressive enough. Before using the pumice, a footbath should be applied to soften the cornea.
There are several suitable additions to the footbath, including apple vinegar, chamomile, tea tree oil or 100% aloe vera juice. The water should not be too hot for the application and the duration of the application should not exceed 20 to 25 minutes. After the foot bath, the superficial corneal layer can be removed very easily with pumice stone.
If the cornea is thick, the foot can be rubbed with tea tree oil or apple vinegar several times a day. Also suitable for a foot bath are certain Schüssler salts, such as the Schüssler salt 1 Calcium fluoratum. This is dissolved in hot water and stirred.
Sodium bicarbonate can also be used in a footbath, for which about three teaspoons of sodium bicarbonate are needed. The curd soap bath, which has been used for a long time, is also used and is also able to soften the cornea. The feet should be soaked for fifteen to twenty minutes.
Chamomile is also frequently used for calluses. To do this, take about one tablespoon of chamomile flowers and wrap them in a cloth. Then soak the package with a little boiling water.Afterwards the package is pressed on the affected area for 15 minutes.
After 15 minutes, a new camomile pack must be applied. The cornea should then have softened and can be removed with a pumice stone after a few days if the camomile packs have been used daily. Some home remedies can also be used to prevent corneal growth.
For example, daily rubbing of the feet with calendula ointment, deer sebum ointment or a cream containing urea helps. Another household remedy is the application of lemon slices. Peeling two to three times a week can also be useful.
This is made from sugar or alternatively salt with a little olive oil, with which the feet can then be rubbed. This does not usually remove the calluses completely, but the result is very soft feet. In general, it is important to apply cream to the affected areas regularly to prevent them from drying out, as drying out makes it increasingly difficult to remove the callus.
In most forms of callus removal using proven household remedies, pumice stone is usually used in combination. With all types of cornea removal, it is important to remove it only in moderation and never too much, since a little cornea is a natural component of our skin and serves as a protection for it. If the cornea is removed completely, it can cause pain while walking.
7. creams for the removal of the cornea
If you decide to use creams for corneal removal, you should not expect immediate results as with a pumice stone or corneal flake. The use of creams takes time, but is very effective. Especially creams with the ingredient salicylic acid, which reduces the cornea, are used.
Salicylic acid acts like a peeling and removes the superfluous horny layers. Products containing salicylic acid are available in pharmacies. Another important active ingredient of cornea reducing creams is urea.
The urea binds water and the thick corneal layer becomes more flexible and softer. After the cream has shown its effect, it is recommended to use a pumice stone, which can then remove the softened cornea. The Schüssler Salt 1 can be used as a footbath as well as an ointment.
Also with this ointment, no immediate effect is to be expected and the user must be patient for a while. A cream pack overnight is very promising in application. Before going to bed, the feet/affected areas are generously creamed with suitable creams.
Cotton socks are then put on overnight. This should be repeated daily over a longer period of time. Suitable creams for this are deer sebum ointment, marigold ointment or a common fat cream.
In cases of severe callus formation, it is true that products from the pharmacy are more effective than those from the drugstore, as the products from the pharmacy are more highly dosed and contain more active ingredients. For less severe problems, however, products from the drugstore are also sufficient. If you decide to use creams for corneal removal, you should not expect immediate results as with a pumice stone or corneal rasp.
The use of creams takes time, but is very effective. Especially creams with the ingredient salicylic acid, which reduces the cornea, are used. Salicylic acid acts like a peeling and removes the superfluous horny layers.
Products containing salicylic acid are available in pharmacies. Another important active ingredient of cornea reducing creams is urea. The urea binds water and the thick corneal layer becomes more flexible and softer.
After the cream has shown its effect, it is recommended to use a pumice stone, which can then remove the softened cornea. The Schüssler Salt 1 can be used as a footbath as well as an ointment. Also with this ointment, no immediate effect is to be expected and the user must be patient for a while.
A cream pack overnight is very promising in application. Before going to bed, the feet/affected areas are generously creamed with suitable creams. Cotton socks are then put on overnight.
This should be repeated daily over a longer period of time.Suitable creams for this purpose are, for example, deer sebum ointment, marigold ointment or an ordinary fat cream. In cases of severe callus formation, products from the pharmacy are more effective than those from the drugstore, as the products from the pharmacy are more highly dosed and contain more active ingredients. For less severe problems, however, products from the drugstore are also sufficient.
