The efficacy of a topical homoeopathic complex in hydrogel (Apis mellifica 6cH, Atropa belladonna 6cH, Hepar sulphuris calcareum 6cH, Magnetis polus australis 30cH and Silicea 6cH) on stage one onychocryptosis of the hallux

Abstract

Abstract: Onychocryptosis is a painful condition of the toe occurring principally in the hallux. It is characterised by the nail plate growing and digging into the nail fold causing pain, swelling, redness and possibly infections (Johnston, 2010). The pain associated with onychocryptosis is often severe enough to cause difficulty in walking, as a quarter of the body’s weight gets placed on the hallux joint (Martin et al., 2001). It is the most frequent foot problem encountered in clinical practice (Rehbock, 2009). Although, there are no statistics on the number of people suffering from onychocryptosis in South Africa up to date, according to the World Health Organization, 7.1 million of people suffer from onychocryptosis in America alone (Rightdiagnosis, 2015). It is estimated that approximately 20% of patients presenting to doctors with a foot problem have onychocryptosis (Khan et al., 2014). The condition mainly affects young adolescents and adults (Karaca & Dereli, 2012)..