Fisheye - Symptoms, causes and treatment

Fish eye or clavus is a thickening of the skin due to repeated pressure and friction. Fisheyes can occur anywhere on the body, but are most common on the hands, feet and fingers

The eye of the fish is usually round with a smaller size than calluses, has a hard center, and is surrounded by inflamed skin. In addition to its shape that can interfere with the beauty of the skin, fish eyes can also be accompanied by pain, injury, and infection. However, this condition is generally not classified as serious.

The Cause of Fish Eyes

Basically, fisheye occurs when the skin is subjected to repeated pressure or friction. Fish eyes appear as the body's natural reaction to protect the skin from getting injured or other damage that can occur due to friction or pressure.

The following are some of the things that can cause pressure and friction that cause fisheye:

• Wearing high heels
• Wearing the wrong size or uncomfortable shoes
• Not wearing socks or wearing socks that don't fit properly when wearing shoes
• Frequently walk or run outdoors barefoot
• Often plays stringed instruments, such as guitar or violin
• Frequently use tools that require repeated movements or pressure on the hands without gloves, such as hoeing
• Walking with inappropriate posture, such as too tiptoe

In addition to pressure and friction, several other factors that can increase a person's risk of suffering from fish eye are:

• Has finger deformities, such as hammer toes and bunions
• Has hand and foot deformities, such as bone spurs
• Has a sweat gland disorder
• Has a scar or wart
• Suffering from obesity

Although it can occur in all age groups, fisheye is more common in people over 65 years of age.

Fisheye Symptoms

The eye of the fish is characterized by thickening, hardening, and rounded protrusions of the skin. The skin may also become scaly or dry. Fish eye can also be accompanied by inflammation and pain, especially when pressed.

Based on the shape and place of appearance, fish eyes are divided into 3 types, namely:

• Hard eyeballsHard eyeballs are the most common type. The eye of this fish arises in the part of the skin that is in direct contact with the bone. A sign of this condition is a buildup of skin that feels hard and has a core in the middle.

• Soft eyeballSoft eyeball occurs on moist areas of the skin, such as the skin between the fingers. The eye of this fish is whitish or gray in color, feels smooth, and has a chewy texture.

• Small fisheyeThe eye of this type of fish is smaller than other types of fisheye. Minnows usually appear on the underside of the feet. Although smaller in size, this type of fish eye can also cause pain.

When to see a doctor

Consult a doctor if the fish eye does not improve after being treated independently at home, especially if the fish eye causes severe pain that interferes with daily activities, and causes bleeding or inflammation.

If you have a history of diabetes, heart disease, or peripheral artery disease, it is advisable to immediately consult a doctor when a fish eye appears. Do not do self-medication at home because wounds that appear are more at risk of infection.

Some signs of skin infection that can appear are:

• Pain that gets worse
• Redness
• Burning sensation
• Swelling
• Pussy

Fisheye Diagnosis

To diagnose fish eye, the doctor will ask questions related to the complaints experienced, medical history, occupation, as well as the patient's daily activities and habits.

After that, the doctor will see the eye of the fish and the area around it directly. Usually, fish eyes are easy to see and recognize from their shape. The doctor will also press on some parts of the eye of the fish to see if there is pain.

To determine the cause, the doctor will check for other abnormalities in the body that can cause fish eye, such as finger deformities, problems with bone structure, and the patient's gait.

If needed, a supporting examination with X-rays will also be carried out. The area around the thickened skin area will be examined with X-rays to see changes or physical abnormalities that can cause fish eyes.

fisheye treatment

If it doesn't cause symptoms and doesn't interfere with daily activities, the fish's eye can heal on its own, so no treatment is needed.

Treatment of fish eye is enough to avoid the cause. For example, if the eye is caused by wearing uncomfortable shoes, it is advisable to change to more comfortable shoes. That way, the fish eye can immediately subside and not get worse.

In addition, using special shoe pads that are suitable for the condition of the feet of people with fish eye can also reduce pain.

If fish eye causes discomfort and pain, there are several treatments you can do yourself at home to treat it, namely:

• Covering the hands or feet with eyelets with cotton, foam, or plaster to protect them from pressure or friction
• Smearing the eye of the fish with a cream containing salicylic acid so that the thickened skin peels off quickly

Medical action is required if the fish eye does not heal with independent treatment. Fish eye also needs to be treated by a doctor if the patient has other conditions that can increase the risk of infection.

Some of the treatments that are generally done by doctors to treat fish eye are:

• The thinning of the thickened skin layer with a sterile scalpelThis procedure aims to treat fisheye, as well as help relieve pain from fisheye. Local anesthesia can be applied before this procedure.

• Creams or ointments containing salicylic acid can soften and lift thickened skin. However, patients with peripheral arterial disease, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy are advised to avoid this product, because of the risk of causing damage to the deeper layers of the skin.

• SurgeryThe doctor may recommend surgery to correct the position of the bone that causes friction. However, this action is rarely performed.

Fisheye Complications

The eye of the fish can continue to enlarge and be more difficult to heal if the pressure and friction are not removed. In some patients, especially those with diabetes or immune system disorders, fish eyes that are not handled properly can lead to infection or bleeding.

Fisheye Prevention

Some things that can be done to prevent the formation of fish eyes are:

• Wear shoes, especially high heels, that are comfortable and of the right size
• Wear socks when wearing shoes to avoid friction
• Buying shoes after a lot of walking because my feet get bigger after that
• Keep feet clean
• Cutting toenails regularly
• Applying special moisturizing foot cream