Chicken eye: what is it and what does it look like? + Proven prevention and advice for women

Author:
PharmDr. Štefánia Laca Megyesi, PhD., MSc.
PharmDr. Štefánia Laca Megyesi, PhD., MSc.
Doctor of Pharmacy
Scroll to: Characteristics Causes Symptoms Diagnostics Course Treatment
Chicken eye: what is it and what does it look like? + Proven prevention and advice for women
Photo source: Getty images

Chicken eye is a non-transmissible mechanical skin lesion. What is the cause of its occurrence? How to get rid of it effectively?

Most common symptoms

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Characteristics

Chicken eye (clavus) is a mechanical skin lesion. Chicken eye is not a communicable disease and cannot be contracted.

Chicken eye is caused by prolonged pressure on a spot on the skin.

A typical example is the pressure of a bad shoe on the big toe, which causes hyperkeratosis (thickening of the corner layer of the skin). A callus later forms on this area. Repeated pressure causes the callus to deepen and develop.

Mechanical damage to the skin in the table

Diseases Characteristics
Hyperpigmentation Occurs after prolonged exposure to pressure or friction (belts, braces, prostheses).
Blisters Arise acutely from heat and friction when pressure is applied to the legs after prolonged walking.
Arise on the hands from unusual activity (rowing, tennis, etc.).
Cerebellum It is characterized as a focal hyperkeratosis induced by mechanical action.
Chicken eye (clavus) It is defined as painful focal hyperkeratosis over articular or bony prominences
Black heel Is characterized as blue-black spots or streaks caused by blood discharges.
Occur in athletes in the callosal area of the heel or on the bellies of the toes.
Decubitus ulcers Arise after prolonged exposure to pressure and subsequent ischemic necrosis (tissue death due to lack of blood supply).
Irritated skin on the foot, reddened
The skin of the foot is stressed by several factors that subsequently affect the development of various problems. An example of this is corns. Source: Getty Images

Causes

Chicken eye is caused by prolonged pressure on a certain area of the skin.

Who can develop cornea?

Anyone can develop chicken eye.

It particularly affects women who wear narrow fashionable shoes. It is common in patients with orthopaedic problems.

Corns can also occur in children. The cause of corns in children is improperly chosen footwear.

In case of corns in children, it is a good idea to see a doctor to avoid misdiagnosis.

Where can corns form?

Corns are mainly found on the protrusions under the joints, on the heel, between the toes or on the bums of the toes.

Legs and shoes, two legs, one in black silk stockings with black pumps and the other in pink stockings and sneakers.
Inappropriate footwear is one of the main causes of corns. Source: Getty Images

What else influences the formation of corns?

There are other factors that contribute to the development of corns, such as:

  • Physical activity
  • ill-fitting shoes
  • foot deformities caused by bone spurs

Patients over 65 years of age are most often affected by painful corns. The skin undergoes many changes with age. The changes result in a thinner and drier protective layer. For this reason, there is a higher incidence in the older population.

People over 65 years of age have a higher risk of developing cornea.

Symptoms

You ask: How will this manifest itself?

The chicken eye consists of two parts:

1. The top layer

The top layer is visible to the naked eye. It is round or elliptical in shape.

The skin is visibly hardened and cornified.

2. Lower layer

The thickened horny layer forms a funnel-shaped, deeply penetrating spine (eye).

The spine is inclined downwards, causing inflammatory and degenerative changes in the joint capsule and surrounding ligaments.

What are the known types of corns?

1. Soft cornea

Occurs mainly in the space between the toes where there is a high moisture content.

It has a characteristic bowl shape and an annular nucleus.

2. Hard cornea

Most commonly found above the joints of the toes, on the lateral side of the foot and on the sole of the foot.

The hard cornea has a dry and rough appearance.

3. Inflamed cornea

As a result of constant irritation, inflammation of the surrounding tissue and the cornea itself occurs.

Initially, it is only reddened, but later on inflammation and suppuration occur. Without professional treatment of an inflamed cornea, the tissue may die (necrotise).

Diagnostics

Based on the characteristic finding and pain on pressure, the diagnosis is simple.

The histological findings may resemble a callous, but there is parakeratosis (imperfect cornification of the squamous epithelium) in the central part and only hyperkeratosis (thickened skin) at the edges.

Some warts resemble a chicken eye. The wart is visible only after treatment with a salicylic patch.

Examination of the skin of the foot by a doctor using a magnifying glass.
It is important to have a professional examination to determine the correct cause and diagnosis. Source: Getty Images

What is the difference between a chicken eye and a wart?

Warts are a very common skin problem.

Some patients confuse warts with corns.

Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus. The disease is transmitted either directly from person to person or indirectly (by using an infected object).

The table below lists the types of warts

TYPES OF WARTS CHARACTERISTICS
Verrucae vulgares
(common warts)
  • The most common form of warts not only in children but also in adults
  • Most commonly found on the fingers, toes and around the mouth
  • The appearance of warts depends on the location
  • Warts on fingers and hands are smaller at first, then get bigger
  • They have an oval appearance, the size of a lens
Verrucae plantares
(plantar warts)
  • They are a special form of common warts
  • They appear as thickened, painful lesions
Verrucae filliformes
(digitatae)
  • They occur in isolation in the area of the lips, corners of the mouth, nostrils
  • They have the appearance of stiff, pink growths with a hyperkeratotic surface
Verrucae planae juvenile
(flat warts)
  • Occur mainly in children, more rarely in adults
  • Manifestations are most common on the face, on the backs of the hands and on the lower limbs
  • These are painless oval or polygonal flat papules
  • They are slightly elevated above the level of the epidermis
  • They are light yellow or light brown in colour
Condylomata accuminata
(condylomata)
  • Usually found on the genitalia and in the perigenital area
  • Occur almost exclusively in adults
  • Appear as small, finely dissected papules of light red colour

For more information, see also the article:
Is it a corns or a viral wart?

Prevention of chicken eye

Chicken eyes can be very distressing. They are painful and aesthetically unpleasant. That is why we should think about prevention.

Experts recommend the following preventive measures:

  • the right size of shoes (they must not crush or press)
  • good quality shoes
  • the foot must breathe in the shoe
  • regular ventilation of the shoe
  • the toe of the shoe is roomy enough
  • shoes with flexible soles
  • the use of shoe inserts
  • the use of creams to soften the feet
Applying foot cream A woman puts cream on her feet with her hands.
Foot cream can also help. Source: Getty Images

Grandma's recipes for home treatments

Here are some homemade recipes...

A table with grandma's advice

SOURCES METHOD OF PREPARATION AND APPLICATION
Swallowtail
  • Break off the stem of the swallowtail.
  • Rub the juice of the plant on the chicken's eye. Leave to dry.
  • Repeat this process every day.
Banana peel
  • Cut off a piece of banana peel.
  • Apply it to the affected area.
  • Leave it on overnight.
Garlic
  • The best time for this recipe is after an evening bath.
  • After bathing, apply a cream on your feet.
  • Cut the garlic into slices and apply on the corns.
  • Leave it on all night.
  • Repeat this procedure for about seven days.
Onions with vinegar
  • Leave the onion slices soaked in vinegar for a few hours.
  • Remove the onion and apply to the affected area.
  • Leave on overnight.
  • Wash your feet in the morning.
Lemon juice with onion
  • Mix lemon juice with vinegar and chopped salted onion.
  • Apply this mixture to the chicken's eye.
Lemon and garlic
  • For this recipe you need one lemon and a clove of garlic.
  • Squeeze the juice from the lemon and mix it with the crushed garlic.
  • Rub the resulting mixture over the chicken eye.
  • Repeat several times.
Vinegar s lemon
  • Prepare a solution by mixing lemon juice and vinegar.
  • Apply to the chicken's eye.
  • Leave on overnight.
Dried raisins
  • Cut raisins in half and apply to the chicken eye.
  • Leave on.
Brush and salt for foot care
Proper foot care is part of prevention. Source: Getty Images

How it is treated: Chicken Eye

Treatment of corns: what works to eliminate it? Drugs, solutions and more

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Všetko o kurom oku (video)

Chicken Eye is treated by

Other names

Clavus
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PharmDr. Štefánia Laca Megyesi, PhD., MSc.
PharmDr. Štefánia Laca Megyesi, PhD., MSc.
Doctor of Pharmacy
I graduated from the University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice. After graduation I stayed working at the University. Until 2019, I was leading practical exercises in the subject of Drug Technology. I was mainly engaged in the preparation of individually prepared medicines in pharmacies. During my time there, I wanted to keep learning. In 2016, I defended my rigorous thesis at the Veterinary and Pharmaceutical University in Brno. By completing the rigorous procedure I gained knowledge in the field of laws related to pharmacy and medicine. In 2017, I completed my MHA studies at St. Elizabeth's College of Health and Social Work. By studying, I gained knowledge in the field of public health. In 2021 I completed my PhD studies (specialization in parasitic diseases) at the University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice. The desire to learn new things and new knowledge led me to become a co-founder of the dermatovenerology outpatient clinic. And why can I give you information from the medical and pharmaceutical field? I like to learn and get to know new things. I have focused all my studies and scientific research on skin diseases. I have also gained knowledge in the field of parasitic diseases. Writing is one of my hobbies and a kind of relaxation.
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