A Case Study on the Therapeutic Efficacy of <i>Suttigai</i> (Thermal Cauterization) in the Management of <i>Kaalani</i> (Corn Foot)

A 45-year-old, moderately built female presented with complaints of a thickened layer of skin in the foot with severe pain for over three years. She was diagnosed to be affected by Corn foot which is equated to Kaalani in the Siddha system of medicine. Corn is a well-defined focal region of hyperkeratosis. As a result of repetitive mechanical stress from friction or pressure forces, corns are formed as thickened skin lesions. Suttigai is one of the treatment modalities indicated for Kaalani in Siddha. Uloga suttigai is superior among all suttigai procedures and an effective treatment for Kaalani which prevents recurrence was chosen to treat corn foot. A Visual Analogue Scale(VAS) was used for the criteria of assessment of pain. The patient was treated successfully by uloga suttigai with the total repair of corn without any unsightly scar or discoloration. No other complications and remissions were found.