OA03.12. Herbal socks an effective medication against plantar hyperkeratosis

PURPOSE: Plantar hyperkeratosis commonly called cracked heel is a common condition among adults. Causes for plantar hyperkeratosis are many and include genetic defects reflected in skin structure, allergic dermatoses, and paraneoplastic syndromes seen with particular forms of internal malignancy. Treatment for this condition could be possibly done using traditional herbs. The current study throws light on the cure of plantar hyperkeratosis using socks worn daily. METHOD: Solanum xanthocarpum powder and Aleo vera were subjected to different solvent extracts and its antimicrobial activity against isolated organism was studied. The solvent extract showing highest zone of inhibition was chosen and nanoparticle was synthesized by ionic gelification method and characterized physically and chemically. Synthesized nanoparticles were coated onto the socks using pad dry cure method. The antibacterial activity of the socks was then studied using AATCC 100 and 147. The nanoparticle treated socks was chemically characterized using FTIR analysis. The socks were then analyzed in vivo. RESULT: The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using HRTEM analysis and it was spherical. The nanoparticles coated socks showed a better activity against the organisms isolated from patients having plantar hyperkeratosis. The activity of the socks was tested in vivo among 20 patients and this proved to be promising cure. The wash durability of the socks was effective until 20 washes. CONCLUSION: The results showed that the formulated socks were effective against treatment of cracked heel and it also proves to be antimicrobial in nature. The effective durability of the socks was due the control and sustained release of herbal extracts from nanoparticle. Plantar hyperkeratosis could burden immune compromised patients such as diabetes, these kinds of herbal socks would be a better option for this treatment than the conventionally used time consuming treatments.