A wart on the heel is a neoplasm that can cause great discomfort to the patient. The growth is formed under the influence of the papillomavirus and also mainly affects the damaged skin of the heel. It looks like an elastic and dense formation on the epidermis, covered with dry crusts.
Causes of warts on the heel.
The papillomavirus is capable of infecting various parts of the human body, causing the proliferation of epithelial tissue. Heels are no exception. Here, as a rule, warts are formed, caused by HPV types 1, 2, 4, 27 and 57. In total, there are at least 100 strains of this pathogen in the world. It is very contagious and widespread, so around 80% of the world's population is a carrier of this virus.
Of all the benign growths that can be located on the heel, warts represent 1/3. It is quite easy to become infected with HPV, which provokes its appearance: the virus is transmitted from a sick person to a healthy person as a result of everyday contact in everyday life, as well as in crowded places. Using other people's personal hygiene items, walking barefoot on the floor of rooms where there are a large number of people (gyms, locker rooms, saunas, swimming pools) are ways of transmitting the papillomavirus.
Contrary to popular belief, it is almost impossible to get infected with HPV and "earn" a heel wart at the beach. This pathogen dies quickly when dried and exposed to sunlight.
The formation of warts on the heel does not always occur immediately after infection with the papillomavirus. People with strong immunity are usually not susceptible to the formation of warts and papillomas. The body's defense systems suppress the pathogen and it does not harm health. But as soon as the immune system fails, which occurs with overwork, hypothermia, infectious diseases, hormonal imbalances, poor diet and poisoning, HPV can activate and manifest as skin tumors.
In addition, there are a number of factors that accompany the appearance of warts on the heel:
- Traumatization of the epidermis of the heel: cracks, abrasions, scratches, cuts;
- Wearing ill-fitting shoes that pinch, crush, or rub the skin;
- Diseases that cause trophic changes in soft tissues: varicose veins, diabetes, atherosclerosis;
- Deforming pathologies of the lower extremities: flat feet, arthritis, osteoarthritis and others;
- Excessive sweating or excessive dryness and sensitivity of the epidermis of the feet.
As a general rule, if the virus is not too active and the immune system resists, warts on the heel may appear singularly. If the pathogen is very active, it is possible for the warts to cause massive damage to the heels and feet.
Methods for diagnosing warts on the heel.
Due to constant pressure on the foot and heel, warts in this area often become very similar to corns and calluses. Therefore, they are not so easy to identify. An exceptional dermatologist is able to establish an accurate diagnosis and differentiate the growth from other pathologies. To do this, a procedure called dermoscopy is most often performed.
To carry out a qualitative study, the stratum corneum of the epidermis is scraped and a sample is taken. The resulting scraping is sent to the laboratory. There they confirm or deny the presence of HPV.
A visual examination can also help to have a definitive picture of the disease. With a wart on the heel, there is no skin pattern on its surface. Additionally, you may see blackheads. These are traces of clogged capillaries.
If necessary, an ultrasound examination is prescribed, which helps determine the depth of penetration of the so-called "roots" of the wart into the skin.
A differentiated diagnosis of heel tumors is required in the following cases:
- The presence of oncological lesions in the patient;
- Foot deformities of various etiologies;
- Reiter syndrome, which can lead to the development of keratoderma;
- Syphilis, which can cause painful ring-shaped growths to form on the feet and hands.
To clarify the diagnosis, a blood test is also performed to detect HPV, syphilis and a general analysis.
Why is it important to treat heel warts?
Although warts on the heel are considered a fairly harmless pathology, consultation with a doctor and treatment should not be delayed. Over time, the disease may worsen. In addition, home self-medication can only suppress the external manifestations of papillomavirus infection. At the same time, the virus will persist in the blood and cause regular reappearance of warts on the body.
It is also worth remembering that a neglected wart on the heel progresses and its growth continues. Furthermore, given the external pressure on the foot, the neoplasm grows within the skin, affecting the soft tissues increasingly deeply. This provokes the process of compaction of the layers of the epidermis and the formation of blood clots in the capillaries, which manifests itself in the form of dark spots on the surface of the growth. Gradually, the wart on the heel begins to cause severe pain.
Treatment of a wart on the heel is necessary when the following symptoms appear:
- Intense pain in the growth zone;
- Rapid wart growth and damage to new areas of the heel;
- Discomfort when walking and supporting the leg.
It must also be remembered that a patient infected with HPV represents a threat to others, since he is a carrier of the virus. That person's family members are at risk of contracting infection at home.
Only comprehensive treatment can help to completely eliminate pathological tumors and suppress the virus, as well as prevent relapses.
Ways to treat warts on the heel.
Only combined therapy will help those who do not know how to get rid of a wart on the heel. This is an opportunity not only to eliminate the tumor and the discomfort associated with it, but also to lead a full life without posing a threat to others. Warts are treated with special medications, instrumental removal methods, and sometimes you can resort to traditional medicine.
Medications to treat warts on the heel.
There is a wide range of medications available to treat heel warts. They are divided into different groups depending on their composition and characteristics of their impact on the tumor and the virus that caused the disease.
Let's look at the main groups of funds:
- acidic substances. These medications are available in pharmacies without a prescription and are usually inexpensive. They have a pronounced cauterizing effect. Salicylic acid gives good results. To remove warts on the heel, a solution with a concentration of 10 to 60% is required. The product should be applied once a day until the complete destruction of the tumor. This substance is not suitable for patients with diabetes and cancer. An analogue of salicylic acid is trichloroacetic acid.
- Alkaline products. These substances have approximately the same effect on pathological tissues as the previous ones. They also cauterize the wart and cause the death of the diseased areas of the dermis. The most popular drug in this group causes tissue necrosis, so it should be used according to the instructions and with caution in relation to adjacent healthy tissues.
- freeze drugs. Until recently, heel warts were only frozen in a hospital using liquid nitrogen. Now this procedure can be done at home using special pharmaceutical preparations. A mixture of dimethyl alcohol and propane has proven effective. The refrigerant is liquid nitrogen. The product helps to remove warts on the heel and has a detrimental effect on the papillomavirus. The use of this medication also requires special care so as not to cause damage to healthy tissue.
- Antiviral creams, gels and ointments.. These remedies are effective because they act directly on the cause of warts: HPV. Although most of the time a longer exposure to the tumor is required than in the case of aggressive cauterizing substances. One of the most effective drugs in this group is an ointment based on an extract of potato sprouts. It has a herbal composition and helps stimulate the production of interferon in the body, interrupts the recovery process of viruses and causes their rapid death.
- External immunomodulatory agents.. They are quite effective when it comes to small warts on heels. They help stimulate the local immune response and the body suppresses the virus independently. Interferon-based ointment is popular. Long-term application is required, for at least 4 weeks, until a pronounced therapeutic effect appears.
- Antiviral and immunomodulatory drugs in tablets.. If the concentration of HPV in the blood is high, the doctor may prescribe immunomodulatory or antiviral treatment using oral tablets. This will suppress the pathogen from the inside, avoiding the risk of relapse. This is especially important in immunodeficiency states.
If local cauterizing agents can be used independently to treat warts on the heel, following the instructions, then oral medications should only be prescribed by the treating doctor based on these tests.
Instrumental methods for removing warts on heels.
Today there are several effective ways to remove a wart on the heel using various devices. Modern clinics can offer a number of highly effective instrumental techniques with different costs:
- Electrocoagulation. Heel warts that have progressed for a long time usually have roots deep in the dermis. Electrocoagulation does not involve deep penetration into soft tissues. Therefore, this method is only used to treat small, shallow formations. Additionally, electrocoagulation often leaves scars.
- cryodestruction. One of the most popular methods to remove heel warts is to use liquid nitrogen. In addition, this is a fairly inexpensive method of influence. Scars rarely remain after manipulation. But the effectiveness of the method depends on the skill of the doctor, since it is necessary to accurately determine the depth of the growth roots before removing the wart on the heel. Otherwise, tumor recurrence may occur. The operation is quick, as is the tissue regeneration period.
- laser removal. One of the most modern and minimally invasive methods to treat pathological skin growths. Allows you 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 practically painless. The heel wound also heals quickly and without complications. Relapses after laser treatment of warts on the heel are almost excluded.
- Elimination of radio waves. In this case, the warts are cut with a special radio knife. At the same time, blood vessels are cauterized to prevent the spread of the virus to healthy tissues and bleeding. After such an operation, the recovery period is short and there are practically no scars.
- surgical excision. This method is considered obsolete, but is used in several cases. For example, when the growth is very large and additional histological examination of the removed tissue is required. The operation is quite painful, it is performed under local anesthesia and the recovery period can last several weeks. Bleeding and swelling are also possible. Scars often form. A relative advantage of this method of treating warts on the heel is its low cost.
The choice of how to treat a heel wart rests with the patient and the treating doctor. Most often, the most gentle and minimally invasive techniques are selected: removal of growths with laser and radio waves.
Folk remedies for warts on heels.
If you have a wart on your heel and don't know what to do, then you can try to treat it with some substances at home. Thus, acetic acid, celandine juice, garlic juice, etc. They are popular among "traditional healers. "These remedies are less effective than drugs or instrumental methods. However, with regular application they can also have a positive effect. The main condition is not to stop treatment until the growth completely disappears.
In addition, an immunomodulatory effect on the body can provide real help in the treatment of warts on the heel using folk methods. To do this, take decoctions of the following plants: rose hips, coltsfoot, sea buckthorn, mint, chamomile, lemon balm, black currant and raspberry leaves, calendula. These plants will help increase immunity, especially in cold weather, when there are not enough fresh fruits and vegetables. It is also useful to consume freshly squeezed juices and various fruit drinks and compotes.
Prevention of warts on the heel.
Preventing human papillomavirus infection is the most effective way to combat it. Therefore, comply with the rules of personal hygiene, try not to use foreign objects and always wear replaceable shoes in public places.
If you have already been infected with HPV and have heel warts, start treating them immediately. After removing the growths, carefully monitor the condition of your feet.
If you have hyperhidrosis, only wear shoes made of natural materials that are comfortable and breathable. If your feet are deformed, wear orthopedic shoes to remove excess stress on your feet.
Don't forget about a hygienic pedicure, use moisturizing creams if the skin on your heels is dry. Avoid developing cracked heels. Simple prevention rules can prevent the recurrence of tumors.
Heel warts are potentially harmless neoplasms, but they can cause considerable discomfort to the patient, since, as they grow, they put pressure on the tissue and cause pain. Furthermore, we must not forget that these are viral formations and, therefore, humans are the focus of infection. Therefore, the treatment of warts on heels should be carried out under the supervision of a doctor.