Warts on the heels are neoplasms that can cause great discomfort to the patient. These growths are formed under the influence of the papilloma virus, and also mainly affect the damaged skin on the heels. It looks like an elastic and dense formation on the epidermis, covered with a dry crust.
Causes of warts on heels
Papillomavirus is capable of infecting various parts of the human body, causing the proliferation of epithelial tissue. High heels are no exception. Here, as a rule, warts are formed, which are provoked by HPV types 1, 2, 4, 27 and 57. In total, there are at least 100 strains of this pathogen in the world. This disease is very contagious and widespread, so that about 80% of the world's population are carriers of this virus.
Of all benign growths that can be localized on the heels, 1/3 are warts. It is very easy to become infected with HPV, which causes its appearance - the virus is transmitted from a sick person to a healthy person through ordinary daily contacts in everyday life, as well as in crowded places. Using other people's personal hygiene items, walking barefoot on the floor in rooms where there are many people (gym, changing room, sauna, swimming pool) are ways of transmitting the papilloma virus.
Contrary to popular belief, it is almost impossible to contract HPV and "get" a wart on your heel while at the beach. This pathogen dies quickly when dried and exposed to sunlight.
The formation of warts on the heels does not always occur immediately after infection with the papilloma virus. People with strong immunity are usually not susceptible to the formation of warts and papillomas. The body's defense system suppresses pathogens and does not harm health. But once the immune system fails, which occurs due to overwork, hypothermia, infectious diseases, hormonal imbalance, poor nutrition, poisoning, HPV can become active and manifest as skin tumors.
In addition, there are several factors that accompany the appearance of warts on the heels:
- Traumatization of the epidermis on the heels - cracks, abrasions, scratches, cuts;
- Wearing ill-fitting shoes that can 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 on the feet.
Usually, if the virus is not very active and the immune system resists it, warts on the heels can appear in single forms. If the pathogen is very active, major damage to the heels and feet from warts may occur.
Methods for diagnosing warts on the heels
Due to constant pressure on the feet and heels, warts in these areas often become very similar to corns and calluses. Therefore, they are not easy to spot. An outstanding dermatologist is able to establish an accurate diagnosis and differentiate growths from other pathologies. To do this, a procedure called dermatoscopy is most often performed.
To conduct qualitative research, the stratum corneum of the epidermis is scraped and samples are taken. The results of the scraping are sent to the laboratory. There they confirm or deny the presence of HPV.
Visual examination can also help provide a definitive picture of the disease. With warts on the heel, there is no skin pattern on the surface. Apart from that, you can also see blackheads. These are traces of blocked capillaries.
If necessary, an ultrasound examination will be performed, which helps determine the depth of penetration of the so-called "roots" of the wart deep into the skin.
Differential diagnosis of tumors on the heel is necessary in the following cases:
- The presence of oncological lesions in the patient;
- Foot deformities of various etiologies;
- Reiter's syndrome, which can trigger the development of keratoderma;
- Syphilis, which can cause painful ring-shaped growths on the feet and hands.
To clarify the diagnosis, blood tests for HPV, syphilis and general analysis are also performed.
Why is it important to treat warts on the heels?
Although warts on the heels are considered a harmless pathology, consultation with a doctor and treatment should not be delayed. Over time, this disease can get worse. In addition, self-treatment at home can only suppress the external manifestations of papilloma virus infection. At the same time, the virus will survive in the blood and cause warts to recur on the body.
It is also worth remembering that neglected warts on the heels develop and continue to grow. In addition, given the external pressure on the foot, the neoplasm grows inside the skin, affecting the soft tissues deeper and deeper. This causes the process of compaction of the epidermal layer and the formation of blood clots in the capillaries, which manifests itself in the form of dark dots on the surface of the growth. Gradually, the wart on the heel begins to cause severe pain.
Treatment of warts on the heels is necessary for the following symptoms:
- Severe pain in the growth area;
- Rapid growth of warts and damage to new areas on the heels;
- Discomfort when walking and supporting the foot.
It is also necessary to remember that a patient infected with HPV poses a threat to others, because he is a carrier of the virus. The person's relatives are at risk of infection at home.
Only comprehensive treatment can help completely eliminate the pathological tumor and suppress the virus, as well as avoid relapse.
How to treat warts on heels
Only combination therapy will help those who do not know how to remove warts on the heels. This is an opportunity not only to get rid of the tumor and the discomfort associated with it, but also to live a full life without posing a threat to others. Warts are treated with special medications, instrumental removal methods, and sometimes you can use folk remedies.
Medicine to treat warts on the heels
There are a variety of medications available to treat warts on the heels. They are divided into different groups according to the composition and characteristics of their impact on tumors and disease-causing viruses.
Let's look at the main fund groups:
- Acid. These medicines are available in pharmacies without a prescription and are usually inexpensive. They have a pronounced burning effect. Salicylic acid gives good results. To remove warts on the heels, a solution with a concentration of 10-60% is required. The product should be applied once a day until the tumor is completely destroyed. This substance is not suitable for diabetes and cancer sufferers. The analogue of salicylic acid is trichloroacetic acid.
- Alkaline products. These substances have approximately the same effect on pathological tissue as the previous ones. They also burn the wart and cause death of the diseased area of the dermis. The most popular drugs from this group cause tissue necrosis, so they should be used according to the instructions and with caution on nearby healthy tissues.
- Drug freezing. Until now, heel warts were only frozen in hospitals using liquid nitrogen. Now this procedure can be carried out at home using special pharmaceutical preparations. A mixture of dimethyl alcohol and propane has proven itself well. The cooling agent is liquid nitrogen. This product helps to remove warts on the heels and has a bad effect on the papilloma virus. The use of this drug also requires special care so as not to trigger damage to healthy tissue.
- Antiviral cream, gel, ointment. This treatment is effective because it acts directly on the cause of warts - HPV. Although often longer exposure to the tumor is required compared to aggressive cauterizing agents. One of the most effective drugs in this group is an ointment based on potato shoot extract. It has a herbal composition and helps stimulate the production of interferon in the body, disrupting the recovery process of the virus, and causing its rapid death.
- Immunomodulatory external agents. This drug is quite effective for treating small warts on the heels. They help stimulate the local immune response and the body independently suppresses the virus. Interferon-based ointments are very popular. Long-term use is required - at least 4 weeks until a pronounced therapeutic effect appears.
- Antiviral drugs and immunomodulatory tablets. If the HPV concentration in the blood is high, the doctor may prescribe immunomodulatory or antiviral therapy using oral tablets. This will suppress the pathogen from within, avoiding the risk of recurrence. This is very important in immunodeficiency states.
If local cauterizing agents can be used independently to treat warts on the heels, following the instructions, then oral medications should only be prescribed by the attending physician based on these tests.
Instrumental methods for removing warts on the heels
Currently, there are several effective ways to remove warts on the heels using various tools. Modern clinics can offer a number of highly effective instrumental techniques at different costs:
- Electrocoagulation. Heel warts that have developed over a long time usually have roots deep in the dermis. Electrocoagulation does not involve penetrating too deeply into soft tissue. Therefore, this method is only used to treat small and shallow formations. In addition, electrocoagulation often leaves scars.
- Cryo destruction. One of the most popular methods for removing warts on the heels is to use liquid nitrogen. In addition, this is a fairly cheap method of influence. Scars rarely remain after manipulation. But the effectiveness of this method depends on the doctor's skill, because the depth of the root of the growth must be accurately determined before removing the wart on the heel. Otherwise, tumor recurrence may occur. The operation is fast, as is the tissue regeneration period.
- Laser removal. One of the most modern and minimally invasive methods for treating 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 almost painless. Heel wounds also heal quickly and without complications. Recurrence after laser treatment of warts on the heels is almost impossible.
- Radio wave removal. In this case, the wart is cut with a special radio knife. At the same time, the blood vessels are cauterized to avoid the spread of the virus to healthy tissue and bleeding. After such surgery there is also a short recovery period and almost no scars.
- Surgical excision. This method is considered outdated, but is used in some cases. For example, if the growth is very large and further histological examination of the removed tissue is required. This operation is quite painful, performed under local anesthesia, and the recovery period can take several weeks. Bleeding and inflammation may also occur. Scars often form. The relative advantage of this method of treating warts on the heels is its low cost.
The choice of how to treat warts on the heels rests with the patient and the treating doctor. Most often, the most gentle and minimally invasive techniques are chosen - removal of growths with laser and radio waves.
Folk remedies for warts on the heels
If you have warts on your heels and don't know what to do, you can try treating them with some remedies at home. Therefore, acetic acid, celandine juice, garlic juice, etc. very popular among "traditional healers". This treatment is less effective than pharmaceutical drugs or instrumental methods. However, if applied regularly, it can also have positive effects. The main condition is not to stop treatment until the growth is completely gone.
In addition, real help in the treatment of warts on the heels can be provided by immunomodulatory effects on the body using traditional methods. To do this, take a decoction of the following plants: rosehip, coltsfoot, sea buckthorn, mint, chamomile, lemon balm, black currant and raspberry leaves, calendula. This plant will help increase the body's immunity, especially during cold weather, when fresh fruit and vegetables are in short supply. It is also useful to consume fresh juices and various fruit drinks and compotes.
Prevention of warts on heels
Preventing human papillomavirus infection is the most effective way to combat it. Therefore, adhere to the rules of personal hygiene, try not to use other people's things and always wear shoes that can be changed in public places.
If you have contracted HPV and have warts on your heels, treat them immediately. After removing the growth, carefully monitor the condition of your feet.
If you suffer from hyperhidrosis, only wear shoes made from natural materials that are comfortable and absorb sweat. If your feet are deformed, wear orthopedic shoes to relieve excess stress on your feet.
Don't forget about a hygienic pedicure, use moisturizing cream if the skin on your heels is dry. Avoid cracked heels. Simple preventive rules can prevent tumor recurrence.
Heel warts are potentially harmless neoplasms, but they can cause considerable discomfort for the patient, because as they grow, they put pressure on the tissue and provoke pain. In addition, we must not forget that this is a viral formation, and therefore humans are the source of infection. Therefore, treatment of warts on the heels should be carried out under the supervision of a doctor.