A Siddha Management of Kaalaani (Corn Foot) using Uloga Suttigai (Heated Metal Cauterisation): A Case Report

Corn foot is nowadays a common skin problem among people who are subjected to pressure and constant friction from repetitive actions on their feet. It causes psycho-somatic stress on the affected individuals due to the changes in their walking style. On March 16, 2023, the client, a 46-year-old female, came to the Outpatient Department with complaints of thickened skin over the plantar aspect of the right foot, severe pain present while walking for 4 years, and another area of thickened skin appearing over the plantar aspect of the right big toe without pain for 1 year. Through clinical examination, the skin lesions were confirmed to be corn foot. After the diagnosis, the client was advised to do the surgical procedure, heated metal cauterisation (Uloga suttigai), as in Siddha. A heated metal robe was strongly held in one hand and applied over the periphery of the lesion site, then towards the center. Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f. pulp was placed over the burn site. Using the surgical instruments, the burned tissue was removed until the healthy tissue became visible. Finally, the ulcerated area was cleaned with padikaara neer (alum water). Dressing was done with matthan thylam. After a regular bandage of the wound for a week, the corn foot completely healed, along with all related symptoms. The recurrence did not happen in the course of a one-year follow-up. To summarize, the case report exhibited that the heated metal cauterisation used in the Siddha is very effective in the management of patients with corn foot, relieving their stress at an affordable cost.