This is a benign growth of new bone on the top of existing bone. It can happen in many parts of the body. When the exostosis is covered with cartilage, then it is known as osteochondroma. This condition can be painless or it can cause a severe pain and it may needs surgical removal. Many people do not know that they have exostosis until they have done an X – ray for another condition and doctor identifies an area of bony growth. Also, some people can identify their exostosis because they experience a blockage in specific area, such as ear canal or sinus cavity. Also, the affected person can start to experience symptoms if the tiny bone growths are causing complications, such as pressing on nerves or blood vessels and this leads to localized pain.
This condition is frequently shown in the childhood. It is still not known the exact cause for exostosis. The most common causes for exostosis are chronic irritation of a bone, injury to a bone and a family history of exostosis. There are different types of exostosis, such as Haglund’s deformity; Surfer’s ear; bexostosis; paranasal sinus osteoma; hereditary multiply exostoses; osteochondroma. Your doctor will see what type of exostosis so in this way he or she will tell you which the best natural treatment for you is. You have to talk with your doctor if you suffer from exostosis before you start using some of the below mentioned home remedies so in this way you will avoid side effects because we do not guarantee you that they will help you for sure.
Home remedies for exostosis
Apple cider vinegar: This home remedy can be used as a natural treatment if you have Surfer’s ear. It can help to reduce the redness and itching caused by this type of exostosis. You should dilute the apple cider vinegar with distilled water and then, use it directly into your ears. Also, this home remedy can be used internally because it has the ability to alkalize your body. This home remedy can be also used as a natural treatment for Haglund’s deformity. It is known that the apple cider vinegar pull out the excess calcium from the bones and it will give you a relief. You can soak your feet in a tub filled of warm water with few drops of apple cider vinegar or you can wrap a towel drenched in it around your heel for few minutes.
Use earplugs: It is known that plugs hold cold water and air from entering the ear canal. There are many shops in which are sold specialized earplugs designed for divers and surfers. These earplugs keep the water our and let sound in. You should get the proper size of earplugs.
Ice: If you have Haglund’s deformity, then you should apply ice because it will help to reduce the swelling [1]. You should apply an ice pack to the inflamed area and place a thin towel between the ice and skin. You should use ice for twenty minutes and then wait for at least forty minutes before you apply ice again.
Exercises: When you suffer from Haglund’s deformity, then it is very important to make stretching exercises because they will give you a relief from the tension caused by Achilles tendon. These exercises are very important for patients who have a tight heel cord.
Keep ears warm out of the water: If the air is cold, especially if there is a breeze, you should pull the hood of a sweatshirt up or you can wear a beanie when you are checking out the surf. In this way, you can protect your ears and you can decrease your risk of developing surfer’s ears.
Good mouth care: It is very important to have good mouth hygiene if you suffer from Buccal exostosis [2]. You should do routine cleansing of the areas above and below the bony projections because they can remove food particles which may become lodged in the irregular surfaces of the gum tissue. You should talk with your doctor about the best toothpaste for the Buccal exostosis so in this way you can efficiently remove bacteria from your mouth.
Wear comfortable shoes: It is very important for people who suffer from Haglund’s deformity to wear open – backed shoes because they put less pressure on the bone heel. Also, these people should wear shoes with lower heels so in this way their feet will be comfortable. If your doctor has said to wear orthotics in your shoes, then you should do it.
Switch shoes: There are some studies in which are shown that about 50% of people who suffer from Haglund’s deformity are caused by not comfortable shoes. The constant pressure and rubbing of shoes are causes for irritation. This is very common problem for women. They should be careful when they buy shoes. If you have noticed that your shoes are not good for your feet, then you should find some comfortable shoes. Your tendon can be affected so you should try various shoes. You should choose shoes which will not rub against the back of your heel. [3]
Rest: If you suffer from some type of exostosis, then it is very important to have proper rest because it can help you to get a relief from the symptoms of this condition.
Massage: When you suffer from Haglund’s deformity, then it is very important to make soft tissue massages because they can help your heel bone to get a relief from the pain [4].
Practice fair – weather surfing: It is known fact that the risk of developing surfer’s ear is decreasing as the water and air temperature increases. You should surf on windless and sunny afternoon in the summer, when the water temperature are generally highest, because this will promote less bone growth in the ear canal compared to surfing on a cold and breezy winter morning.
Wear a hood: It is important to know hoods can help to keep the ears warm but they are not as effective as earplugs. This is a reason why you should wear earplugs in a combination with hood.
Regular checkup of ears: If you know that your ears have a natural tendency to build up a blockage of earwax, then you should go on regular checkup, especially before you are planning to surf.
Avoid running on hard surfaces or running uphill: If you had Haglund’s deformity, then you should avoid running on hard surfaces or running uphill so in this way you will prevent this condition from happening again.
Flaxseed oil: This home remedy has alpha – linolenic acid which is a form of Omega – 3 fatty acids and it can attack the inflammation. You should pour some flaxseed oil in warm water and then dip a towel in it. You should wrap the towel around your heel and you should put a heating pad over it. You should let it stay there for at least one hour and you should avoid moving during this period. [5]
Baking soda: Baking soda possesses many health benefits. This home remedy works directly on the calcium crystals which are deposited in the heel. You should make a paste by mixing half teaspoon of baking soda in water and then apply it on your heel. Also, this home remedy can help to balance the pH levels in your body.
Epsom salt bath: We know that the Epsom salt is magnesium sulphate. You can use this home remedy if you suffer from Haglund’s deformity but talk with your doctor if it is suitable for you. The most of the magnesium in our bodies is stored in the bones. You can sprinkle some Epsom salt in the water and then dip your feet in it. Also, you can massage your heels with this home remedy.
Heel lifts: Those people who suffer from Haglund’s deformity and who have high arches may find that heel lifts placed inside their shoes can help them to decrease the pressure which is felt on the heels. [3]
Heel pads: When the pads are places inside the shoe cushion in the heel, then they can help you to get a relief from the irritation when you are walking. So, you can use heel pads when you suffer from Haglund’s deformity. When runners continue with their activities, then it is very important for them to try wearing a heel pad which can help them in the natural treatment of this type of exostosis. [3]
Dry ears out after surfing: It is very important to dry your ears if you have been surfing. Doctors are recommending a mixture of half vinegar and half alcohol for drying out the ear canal. You should put 2 – 3 drops of this home remedy in your ear, nose and throat because this will not just dry out the ear canal but also it can help to prevent the infection. If you do not have this home remedy at the moment, then you can use a hair dryer on a low setting after a session because this will also help you.
References:
[1] Singh DP, Lonbani ZB, Woodruff MA, et al. Effects of topical icing on inflammation, angiogenesis, revascularization, and myofiber regeneration in skeletal muscle following contusion injury. Frontiers in Physiology. 2017;8:93.
[2] Medsinge SV, Kohad R, Budhiraja H, et al. Buccal exostosis: A rare entity. Journal of International Oral Health. 2015;7(5):62–4.
[3] Vaishya R, Agarwal AK, Azizi AT, Vijay V. Haglund’s syndrome: A commonly seen mysterious condition. Cureus. 2016;8(10):e820.
[4] Crawford C, Boyd C, Paat CF, et al. The impact of massage therapy on function in pain populations—A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials: Part I, patients experiencing pain in the general population. Pain Medicine. 2016;17(7):1353–75.
[5] Ren GY, Chen CY, Chen GC, et al. Effect of flaxseed intervention on inflammatory marker C-reactive protein: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Nutrients. 2016;8(3):136.
