The "œil-de-perdrix" is one of the various foot ailments that our feet can suffer from. Sometimes painful, it hinders walking, forcing the person to modify their way of stepping. To prevent this small lesion from compromising the comfort and stability of your body, you will find in this article the information needed to prevent and heal a "œil-de-perdrix."

What is a "œil-de-perdrix"?

What is called a "œil-de-perdrix" is actually a soft corn on the foot. This nickname comes from its appearance: it has a whitish color, its border is red and its center has a black spot, resembling a "œil-de-perdrix" (partridge eye)! It is a thickening of the skin, spongy in texture. It consists of two parts: in the center, a round, dense, translucent core visible under the skin, around which a cone of hard skin forms, pointing deep into the foot. The corn is easy to identify because its edges are clear.

How do they appear?

Factors of appearance:

The "œil-de-perdrix" appears due to repeated pressure and friction, leading to hyperkeratosis: the production of keratin, a protein that makes up the epidermis, is overstimulated, resulting in thickening of the skin on the feet.

Their location:

The "œil-de-perdrix" mainly appears between the fourth and fifth toes, often in pairs facing each other.

How to differentiate between a wart and a "œil-de-perdrix"?

We have seen above the appearance of the "œil-de-perdrix." The wart, on the other hand, is characterized by small black dots on its entire surface. Since it is related to an infection caused by a virus, the natural lines of the skin, called dermatoglyphs, are not visible on the wart. In contrast, they remain visible on the "œil-de-perdrix," which is a thickening of the skin. Also, the wart appears much quicker than the "œil-de-perdrix," which takes several months to form. Finally, to be sure, you can pinch the lesion on both sides: a wart will be painful, while a "œil-de-perdrix" will remain painless.

How to prevent the appearance of a "œil-de-perdrix"?

Since the appearance of a "œil-de-perdrix" is favored by pressure and friction, it is essential to eliminate the repetition of these phenomena. Here are some tips to achieve that:

Shoes: Start by changing your shoes to opt for a pair that is more suitable for the shape of your foot. They should also be flexible enough. Avoid wearing high heels or pointed shoes as much as possible.
Socks: Always wear socks in closed shoes. Make sure they are not too thick to avoid compression, and choose quality materials that do not retain moisture. This reduces the friction phenomenon.
Orthopedic insoles: A podiatrist can advise you to wear orthopedic insoles to better distribute the pressure on your feet.
Orthoses or silicone protectors: Wearing thin and comfortable silicone protectors can also help. They strengthen the plantar cushion and reduce pressure and friction.
Care: Prevention can also involve regular foot care: daily and gentle washing, thorough drying especially between the toes, and regular hydration. A specific moisturizing cream, or avocado oil, combined with the active ingredients of lavender, geranium, and sandalwood essential oils will strengthen your skin's resistance. Finally, you can schedule regular appointments with your podiatrist to treat any conditions early.

How to treat a corn?

First of all, if you are diabetic or have lower limb arteriopathy, it is essential to seek professional help to limit the risks of injury, infection, and poor healing. Corns are more likely to become infected due to the moisture present in the interdigital spaces where they usually appear. The same applies if your corn is inflamed and very painful because it may be infected, or if you have already tried to treat it without success.

Otherwise, you can follow the recommendations below:

Soak your feet, preferably in warm water to soften the skin.
Use a pumice stone or a file, and gently rub it on the hardened area. Repeat the process several times, but be careful not to damage the healthy skin around the corn and avoid injuring yourself.
Apply a cream specially designed to help dissolve it, making sure not to extend beyond the affected area.
Then apply a specific corn pad to reduce friction and pressure on the area, and stop the hyperkeratosis process.

Are there any "grandma's remedies" or natural methods to treat a corn?

Castor oil is particularly effective at softening, nourishing, and soothing the skin. Apply it as a compress on the corn. Repeat daily after showering. Apple cider vinegar acts as an antibacterial and antifungal agent. Diluted at a ratio of 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water, applied as a compress directly on the lesion overnight helps soften its surface. Repeat daily after showering.

Baking soda has softening properties and can also be used as a compress of ¼ baking soda to ¾ water. Apply for 30 minutes then rinse thoroughly. Wintergreen essential oil has keratolytic properties that reduce skin thickness. Be sure to apply it only to the affected area. Also, this essential oil should not be applied to an open wound. We recommend consulting a pharmacist or aromatherapy specialist to check for contraindications and proper dosages.

In any case, if the lesion has not disappeared after 15 days of daily treatment, we recommend consulting a podiatrist for other therapeutic options.

Let's leave it to the partridges to enjoy what rightfully belongs to them, and which suits them much better than our feet!