Anacardium orientalis in the treatment of corns

Dr.D.G.Bagal¹ M.D.(Hom)
Dr.Uttara Agale², M.D (Hom)

ABSTRACT
Corns and calluses result from hyperkeratosis, a normal physiologic response of the skin to chronic excessive pressure or friction. The formation of corns and calluses can be caused by mechanical stresses from faulty footgear (the wearing of poorly fitting shoes), abnormal foot mechanics (deformity of the foot exerting abnormal pressure), and high levels of activity. Treatment should provide symptomatic relief and alleviate the underlying mechanical cause.. Most lesions can be managed conservatively by the use of properly fitting shoes and padding to redistribute mechanical forces. The conventional method of treating corns involves surgical removal. But this is not a permanent solution, as corns recur frequently. Nor does it prevent more corns from forming in the same or other areas. Surgery is only indicated if conservative measures fail and should be aimed at correcting the abnormal mechanical stresses.¹ A well selected homoeopathic remedy based on accurate totality helps in effective non-invasive management of case in most gentle and comprehensive way.This article helps to understand the role of  homoeopathic medicine in the management of Corns.

KEYWORDS
Corns, Homoeopathy, Anacardium Orientalis

INTRODUCTION
A corn, also known as a “heloma” or “focal intractable plantar hyperkeratosis,” is a type of callosity. This latter is a common, uncomfortable, thickened skin lesion that results from repeated mechanical trauma due to friction or pressure forces.² This condition often is seen in athletes and in patients who are exposed to unequal friction force from footwear or gait problems, including the elderly, patients with diabetes, and amputees. Individuals with darkly pigmented skin are more prone to developing corns. They have been reported to affect older age groups with a slight female predominance due to wearing narrow shoes.²

Abnormal mechanical stresses on the skin will result in the formation of an accumulation of several layers of the horny layer of epithelium (hyperkeratosis). Abnormal mechanical stresses can result from a variety of intrinsic factors (bony prominences or hammertoe deformities) or extrinsic factors (tight shoes, irregularities within the shoe, or high activity levels). As mechanical stresses on the skin increase, the body attempts to protect irritated skin by forming a hyperkeratotic  lesion, such as a corn or a callus; however, this lesion will increase the pressure in a tight shoe, thus creating a vicious cycle: increased pressure increases the formation of corns^3.

Homoeopathy has its effective cure as it deals with mental generals as well as physical Generals and particulars and this holistic approach is required to treat the behavior complaints of the children and help them in healthy growing. A case is explained in which Corns is treated with homoeopathic medicine.

CASE

• Age: 35
• Sex : Male
• Religion: Hindu
• Marital status :Married
• Address: kharghar
• H/O Allergy: Absent

Date :6/11/2021

Chief Complaints :
A 35 year old male patient physically lean ,pale look came with the complaints of extreme  pressing painful  thickened  corn like lesion in the sole. Complaints are since 1 month due to ill fitted tight shoes and prolonged hiking. Patient is extremely irritated with the pressing pain,he gets angry with the complaints at times. there is uneasiness while walking,tottering gait.Complaints are worse when foot immersed in hot water and better when lying on bed freely.

Life Space :

• Patient works in express delivery and is a hiking enthusiast.
• patient gets quickly irritated and is easily offended,gets angry.abusive.
• He has poor memory ,forgets little things at this job which are to be done. is absent minded at times.

Past History: same kind of lesions 6 months back, but did not seek treatment.

Physical Generalities :

• Built- lean
• Appearance – pale face
• Appetite-poor
• Desire-like eating eat everything
• Aversion-nothing specific
• Thirst-normal 3-4 lit/day
• urine -pale yellow/clear 5-6 times/day
• Stool- insufficient emptying
• Perspiration – on exertion
• sleep- disturbed

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION

• General Examination:
• patient is well oriented with respect to time,space ,person
• temperature- afebrile
• PR- 80 Bpm
• BP-120/80 mmHg
• SpO2- 99%
• Pallor/Oedema/Cyanosis/icterus/ Lymphadenopathy -absent

II-Systemic Examination

• CNS- Conscious and oriented
• CVS-S1S2 Normal
• RS-AEBE Clear
• GIT-soft, Non tender
• GUT-NAD

III- Local Examination
lesion-thickened skin of the sole with horny growth in center.

Provisional Clinical Diagnosis :Corn

CASE PROCESSING :

Mental symptoms :

1. easily angered- Characteristic mental emotion⁺³
2. abusive- characteristic mental behavior⁺²
3. loss of memory- characteristic mental intellect⁺³

Physical Generals :

1. appearance -face pale -characteristic physical general ⁺³
2. stool – insufficient emptying – characteristic physical general⁺²
3. perspiration- on exertion – characteristic physical general
4. tottering gait+2 -characteristic physical general

Particulars :

1. corns- pressing +3 – characteristic physical particular
2. Corns-A/F tight shoes+2 – characteristic particular causation
3. <hot water+2 -characteristic physical particular

Evaluation :

1. easily angered⁺³
2. loss of memory⁺³
3. appearance -face pale⁺³
4. corns- pressing +3
5. abusive ⁺²
6. stool – insufficient emptying+2
7. tottering gait+2
8. Corns-A/F tight shoes+2
9. corn-<hot water+2
10. perspiration- on exertion

Totality of symptoms:

1. easily angered⁺³
2. loss of memory⁺³
3. abusive ⁺²
4. appearance -face pale⁺³
5. 5.stool – insufficient emptying+2
6. tottering gait+2
7. perspiration- on exertion
8. corns- pressing +3
9. Corns-A/F tight shoes+2
10. corn-<hot water+2

Prescription :

1. Anacardium Orientalis 200

• Auxillary treatment :
• -wear good fitting shoes
• -maintain hygiene
• -avoid prolonged walks

FOLLOW UPS :

DATE	SENSATION	TREATMENT
08/11/2021	-Size of the corn slightly decreased . -patient’s stools are satisfactory -pressing pain better by 20% -patient continues to get angry on more suffering.	Anacardium Orientalis 200 1P STAT Cosmos 4pills OD x 2days
10/11/2021	-size of the corn decreased considerably by 40% -able to walk with less uneasiness,but pain on pressure on ground -pain better than before -angers once in a while on hitting the pain spot.	Anacardium Orientalis 200 1P STAT Cosmos 4pills OD x 2days
12/11/2021	-size of the corn decreased by 80% -patient is able to walk properly with slight pressure on the ground -stools passed with satisfaction -pain better by 80% -anger issues decreased by 70%	Anacardium Orientalis 200 1P STAT Cosmos 4pills OD x 2days
14/11/2021	-size of the corn decreased by 90% -patient is able to walk without much efforts. -stools normal -painless	Anacardium Orientalis 200 1P STAT Cosmos 4pills OD x 2days

Discussion /conclusion :
This is a case of 35 year old male with pressing painful corn on the sole due to ill-fitted shoes,since past 1 month , making the patient difficult to walk.As per homoeopathic philosophical understanding,this is an acute case. Based upon chararcteristic totality,Anacardium Orientalis was selected and prescribed to the patient which helped in completely relieving symptoms of the patient.This also helped in relieving the mental symptoms  which accompanied with chief complaints. This case demonstrates the effectiveness of a well selected homoeopathic remedy in the management of Corns as per Aphorism 2 of Organon of medicine.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Corns and calluses resulting from mechanical hyperkeratosis  available from : https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12074526/

3. Corns ,avaialable from : https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470374/#_ncbi_dlg_citbx_NBK470374
4. Thomas SE, Dykes PJ, Marks R. Plantar hyperkeratosis: a study of callosities and normal plantar skin. J Invest Dermatol. 1985;85:394–7.

Dr.D.G.Bagal¹ M.D.(Hom)           Dr.Uttara Agale², M.D (Hom)
Professor,Vice Principal,                      Associate Professor,
Dept. of  Repertory,                                Dept. of  Repertory,
Y.M.T.H.M.C, Kharghar,Navi Mumbai    Y.M.T.H.M.C, Kharghar.

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