How to Get Rid of Fish Eyes, Warts and Calluses

Fish eyes, warts, and calluses are diseases where skin is thickened. There are several ways to remove fish eyes, warts, and calluses. One of them is by using topical drugs that contain keratolytic substances (thinning skin), such as salicylic acid.

Fish eyes, warts, and calluses usually occur in the legs and arms, but can also appear on any part of the body. Calluses generally do not cause pain, while fish eyes and warts can feel pain if pressed or experiencing friction.

Causes and Symptoms of Fish, Warts, and Calluses

Both fish eyes and calluses appear as a form of skin protection against friction or pressure. Repeated friction or pressure causes thickening of the skin. Wearing shoes that are not right, often do not wear socks, play musical instruments such as guitars, or often use hand tools, can increase the risk of developing fish eyes or calluses. Both of these conditions are not contagious.

Meanwhile, warts are caused by viruses from the human papillomavirus (HPV) class. This HPV virus triggers cell growth which makes the outer layer of the skin thicken and harden. Warts are an infectious disease that can be transmitted through skin contact or sharing personal items, such as towels or razors, with people who have warts.

The following are some of the signs and symptoms of these three skin diseases:

Fish eye
The characteristics of fish eyes are small, thick, dry, and have a hard center surrounded by inflamed skin. Fish eyes tend to grow on the part of the leg that does not support the load. For example, the upper part of the foot or toes. However, fish eyes can also grow on the soles of the feet in the area around the arches and heels. If you are depressed, fish eyes that grow on your feet will feel pain.

Warts
Warts consist of various types depending on their shape and location. Some are like meat growing, resembling a mole, or the shape is flat with the surrounding skin.

Calluses
Calluses are larger than fish eyes but rarely feel pain. Calluses tend to grow on the legs that support the load, which is on the soles of the feet. However, it can also occur on the hands or knees that often experience pressure. Skin that experiences calluses feels thicker, rougher, and less sensitive.

Treating Fish Eyes, Warts, and Calluses

One way to get rid of fish eyes, warts and calluses is with keratolytic drugs that can thin the skin. Generally keratolytic drugs contain:

Salicylic acid
Salicylic acid is a keratolytic substance that works by softening the keratin that causes skin hardening. As a result, gradually thickened skin will experience thinning.
To treat warts, the required concentration of salicylic acid solution is 5-27%. Whereas to treat fish eyes and calluses, the required concentration is even higher, which is 12-27%.

Lactic acid
Lactic acid works by increasing skin moisture, by trapping more water so that the skin becomes softer. Lactic acid also has keratolytic properties that work similar to salicylic acid.

Polidocanol
Polydocanol acts as a local anesthetic and moisturizer, which can reduce itching on dry and hardened skin.

Treatment of fish eyes, warts, and calluses using the three ingredients of the drug above, takes several days to several weeks. The thicker the thickened skin, the more time to get the expected results. To speed up softening of the skin tissue, you can close the part of the skin that is given medication using gauze. Although relatively safe to use, salicylic acid can cause a number of side effects if used excessively, namely skin irritation, hot or sore skin, and redness of the skin.

As a self-care at home, you can also thin the skin hard on the fish's eyes and calluses using pumice. How, soak the pumice stone into warm water, then gently rub the pumice stone on the eyes of the fish or calluses. Use a circular motion to lift the dead skin layer. That must be remembered, do not use sharp objects to peel the skin, because it can cause injury and infection.

As for treating warts caused by a virus, your doctor may recommend other treatments and surgical procedures especially if the warts often grow back.

Fish eyes, warts and calluses are usually sufficiently cured by using keratolytic drugs sold on the market. Use it according to the instructions on the packaging or recommended use by the doctor and avoid applying the drug to the healthy part of the skin. But if the results have not been seen, you are advised to visit a dermatologist.