A wart is a swelling that can cause great discomfort to the patient. The growth is formed under the influence of papillomavirus, and mainly affects damaged skin of the soles. It is similar to the elastic and dense structure in the epidermis covered with dry scales.
Causes of heel warts
Papillomavirus infects various parts of the human body and causes proliferation of epithelial tissue. The heel is no exception. Here, as a rule, warts appear, which are caused by HPV types 1, 2, 4, 27 and 57. In general, there are at least 100 strains of this pathogen in the world. It is highly contagious and widespread, so about 80% of the world's population are carriers of this virus.
Warts account for 1/3 of all benign growths that can be localized on the foot. It is easy to get infected with HPV, which causes them to appear - the virus is transmitted from an infected person to a healthy person in everyday life, as well as in crowded places as a result of normal daily contacts. Sharing other people's personal hygiene products, walking barefoot on the floor in crowded areas (gyms, locker rooms, saunas, swimming pools) are all ways to spread the papilloma virus.
Contrary to popular belief, it is almost impossible to contract HPV and "get" a wart on your heel at the beach. This pathogen dies quickly when dried and exposed to sunlight.
The appearance of warts on the feet does not always occur after a papillomavirus infection. People with a strong immune system usually do not develop warts and papillomas. The body's defense systems suppress the pathogen, which does not harm health. However, when the immune system fails due to overwork, hypothermia, infectious diseases, hormonal imbalance, poor nutrition, poisoning, HPV can become active and manifest as skin tumors.
In addition, there are a number of factors associated with the formation of heel warts:
- Traumatization of the epidermis of the foot - cracks, abrasions, scratches, cuts;
- Using improper footwear that pinches, crushes, or rubs the skin;
- diseases causing trophic changes in soft tissues - varicose veins, diabetes, atherosclerosis;
- Deformation pathology of the lower leg - flat feet, arthritis, osteoarthritis, etc. ;
- Excessive sweating or excessive dryness and sensitivity of the epidermis of the feet.
As a rule, if the virus is not very active and the immune system resists, plantar warts can appear singularly. If the pathogen is very active, warts and mass destruction of the feet and ankles can occur.
Methods of identifying plantar warts
Due to the constant pressure on the feet and ankles, warts in this area look very similar to corns and calluses. Therefore, it is not easy to identify them. A dermatologist can make an accurate diagnosis and differentiate the growth from other pathologies. For this, a procedure called dermatoscopy is usually performed.
To conduct a qualitative study, the stratum corneum of the epidermis is scraped and a sample is taken. The obtained tissue is sent to the laboratory. They confirm or deny the presence of HPV.
Visual inspection also helps to create a more accurate picture of the disease. With a wart on the heel, there is no skin pattern on its surface. In addition, black dots can be seen. These are traces of clogged capillaries.
If necessary, an ultrasound examination is prescribed, which helps to determine the depth of penetration into the skin called the "root" of the wart.
Differential diagnosis of ankle edema is required in the following cases:
- Presence of oncological diseases in the patient;
- Foot deformities of various etiology;
- Reiter's syndrome, which can provoke the development of keratoderma;
- Syphilis can cause ringworm on the legs and arms.
To clarify the diagnosis, a blood test for HPV, syphilis and a general analysis are performed.
Why is it important to treat plantar warts?
Although warts are considered to be a rather harmless pathology of the foot, it is not necessary to delay the doctor and treatment. Over time, the pain may worsen. In addition, only self-treatment at home can suppress the external manifestations of papillomavirus infection. At the same time, the virus remains in the blood and causes warts to recur in the body.
Also, it is important to remember that an untreated plantar wart grows and continues to grow. Moreover, taking into account the external pressure on the leg, the neoplasm grows inside the skin, affects the soft tissues deep and deep. This causes the layers of the epidermis to thicken and clot blood in the capillaries, which appears as black dots on the surface of the growth. Gradually, the plantar wart starts to hurt.
Treatment of plantar warts is necessary for the following symptoms:
- severe pain in the growth area;
- Rapid growth of warts and damage to new areas of the foot;
- Discomfort when walking and supporting the leg.
It should also be remembered that a patient with HPV poses a threat to others, because he is a carrier of the virus. Relatives of such a person are at risk of infection at home.
Only comprehensive treatment helps to completely get rid of pathological tumors and suppress the virus, as well as prevent relapses.
Ways to treat warts on the heel
Only combination therapy can help those who do not know how to get rid of plantar warts. This is an opportunity not only to eliminate the tumor and the discomfort associated with it, but also to live a full life without endangering others. Warts are treated with special drugs, instrumental removal methods, and sometimes traditional medicine can be used.
Treatment of plantar warts
There are many medications available to treat heel warts. They are divided into different groups depending on their composition and the characteristics of their effect on the tumor and the virus that causes the disease.
Consider the main groups of funds:
- Acidic substances. These medications are available over the counter and are usually inexpensive. They have a clear cauterizing effect. Salicylic acid works well. A solution with a concentration of 10-60% is required to eliminate plantar warts. The product should be used once a day until the swelling is completely gone. This substance is not suitable for patients with diabetes and cancer. An analogue of salicylic acid is trichloroacetic acid.
- Alkaline products. These substances affect pathological tissues in the same way as the previous ones. They also cauterize the wart and deaden the affected areas of the dermis. The most popular drug of this group causes tissue necrosis, so it should be used according to the instructions and with caution in relation to adjacent healthy tissues.
- Cold medicines. Until recently, heel warts were frozen only in the hospital using liquid nitrogen. Now this procedure can be done at home using special pharmaceutical preparations. A mixture of dimethyl alcohol and propane performed well. The refrigerant is liquid nitrogen. The product helps to remove plantar warts and has a negative effect on the papilloma virus. Use of this drug requires special care to avoid damage to healthy tissue.
- Antiviral creams, gels, ointments. These agents are effective because they directly affect the cause of warts - HPV. More exposure to the tumor is often required than aggressive cauterizing agents. One of the most effective drugs of this group is an oil based on the extract of potato shoots. It has a herbal composition and helps to stimulate the production of interferon in the body, disrupts the process of recovery of viruses and causes their rapid death.
- Immunomodulatory external agents. They are very effective when it comes to a small wart on the sole. They help stimulate the local immune response and the body suppresses the virus on its own. Interferon-based ointment is popular. Long-term use is required - at least 4 weeks before a clear therapeutic effect appears.
- Tablet antiviral and immunomodulatory drugs. if the concentration of HPV in the blood is high, the doctor may prescribe a course of immunomodulatory or antiviral therapy using oral tablets. This suppresses the pathogen from the inside, prevents the risk of recurrence. This is especially important in immunocompromised states.
If local cauterizers can be used independently in the treatment of plantar warts, according to the instructions, then oral medications should be prescribed by the attending physician only on the basis of these tests.
Instrumental methods of removing plantar warts
Today, there are several effective ways to remove plantar warts using various devices. Modern clinics can offer a number of highly effective instrumental methods at different costs:
- Electrocoagulation. A heel wart that has developed over a long period of time is usually rooted deep in the dermis. Electrocoagulation does not involve deep penetration into soft tissues. Therefore, this method is used only for the treatment of small, superficial formations. Also, electrocoagulation often leaves scars.
- Cryodestruction. One of the most popular ways to remove heel warts is to use liquid nitrogen. In addition, this effect is a very cheap method. Scars rarely remain after manipulation. But the effective method depends on the skill of the doctor, because to accurately determine the depth of the roots of the wart before growth. Otherwise, the tumor may reappear. The operation is as fast as the tissue regeneration period.
- Laser removal. One of the most modern, minimally invasive methods of treating pathological skin growth. Allows to achieve a good cosmetic effect. The penetration depth of the laser beam can be easily adjusted, unlike liquid nitrogen. The procedure is short and almost painless. Foot ulcers also heal quickly and without difficulty. Recurrence of warts after laser treatment of soles is almost eliminated.
- Destroy radio waves. In this case, the warts are cut with a special radio knife. At the same time, the blood vessels are cauterized to prevent the spread of the virus to healthy tissues and bleeding. After such an operation, there is also a short recovery period and practically no scar.
- Surgical excision. This method is considered obsolete, but is used in a number of cases. For example, when the growth is very large and further histological examination of the removed tissue is required. The operation is more painful, it is carried out under local anesthesia and the recovery period may last several weeks. Bleeding and inflammation are also possible. Scarring is common. The relative advantage of this method of treating plantar warts is its low cost.
The choice of how to treat a heel wart is in the hands of the patient and the treating physician. Often, the most gentle and minimally invasive methods are chosen - laser and radio wave removal of growths.
Folk remedies for plantar warts
If you have a wart on your foot and you don't know what to do, you can treat it with some home remedies. Thus, among the "traditional healers" are acetic acid, celandine juice, garlic juice, etc. b. These means are less effective than pharmaceutical preparations or instrumental methods. However, with regular use, they can also have a positive effect. The main condition is not to interrupt the treatment until the growth is completely gone.
Also, real help in the treatment of warts can be given with the help of immunomodulating effect on the body using folk methods. For this, take decoctions of the following plants: hips, coltsfoot, sea buckthorn, mint, chamomile, lemon balm, blackcurrant and raspberry leaves, calendula. These plants help boost immunity, especially in the cold season, when fresh fruits and vegetables are scarce. It is also useful to use freshly squeezed juices and various fruit drinks and compotes.
Preventing warts
Prevention of human papillomavirus infection is the most effective way to fight it. Therefore, observe the rules of personal hygiene, try not to use other people's things, and always wear a change of shoes in public places.
If you've already had HPV and have warts on your feet, start treating them right away. After removing the plants, carefully monitor the condition of your feet.
If you have hyperhidrosis, use only comfortable and breathable shoes made of natural materials. If you have a deformed foot, wear orthotic shoes to relieve extra stress on your feet.
Don't forget a hygienic pedicure, use moisturizing creams if the skin of your heels is dry. Avoid developing cracked heels. Simple rules of prevention can prevent recurrence of tumors.
Warts on the heel are potentially benign tumors, but they can cause serious discomfort to the patient because, as they grow, they descend on the tissue and provoke pain. In addition, we must not forget that these are viral organisms, so people are a source of infection. Therefore, the treatment of plantar warts should be carried out under the supervision of a doctor.