Warts on the heel are a new growth that can cause great discomfort to the patient. The growth is formed under the influence of the papilloma virus, and also mainly affects the damaged skin on the heel. It looks like a flexible and dense formation on the epidermis, covered with a dry crust.
Causes of warts on the heel
The papilloma virus is able to infect various parts of the human body, causing the proliferation of epithelial tissue. Heels are no exception. Warts are usually formed here, 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. It is highly contagious and widespread, which is why about 80% of the world's population is a carrier of this virus.
Of all benign growths that can be localized on the heel, warts make up 1/3. It is quite easy to get infected with HPV, which causes them to appear - the virus is transferred from a sick person to a healthy person as a result of ordinary daily contacts in everyday life, as well as in crowded places. The use of other people's personal hygiene items, walking barefoot on the floors in rooms with a large number of people (gyms, changing rooms, saunas, swimming pools) are ways of transmitting the papilloma virus.
Contrary to popular belief, it is almost impossible to get infected with HPV and "earn" a wart on the heel at the beach. This pathogen dies quickly by drying and exposure to sunlight.
The formation of warts on the heel 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 systems suppress the pathogen, and it does not cause harm to health. But as soon as the immune system fails, which happens with excessive work, hypothermia, infectious diseases, hormonal imbalance, poor nutrition, poisoning, HPV is able to activate and manifest itself as skin tumors.
In addition, there are several factors that accompany the appearance of warts on the heel:
- Traumatization of the epidermis on the heel - cracks, abrasions, scratches, cuts;
- Wearing ill-fitting shoes that pinch, pinch or rub the skin;
- Diseases that cause trophic changes in soft tissues - varicose veins, diabetes, atherosclerosis;
- Deformation pathologies of the lower limbs - flat feet, arthritis, arthrosis and others;
- Excessive sweating or excessive dryness and sensitivity of the epidermis on the feet.
Usually, if the virus is not too active and the immune system resists, warts on the heel can appear in the singular. If the pathogen is very active, massive damage to the heels and feet with the help of warts is possible.
Diagnostic methods of warts on the heel
Due to constant pressure on the foot and heel, warts in this area often become very similar to corns and corns. Therefore, they are not so easy to identify. An excellent dermatologist is able to make an accurate diagnosis and distinguish the growth from other pathologies. To do this, a procedure called dermatoscopy is most often performed.
To perform a qualitative study, the stratum corneum of the epidermis is scraped and a sample is taken. The obtained scratch is sent to the laboratory. There they confirm or deny the presence of HPV.
A visual examination can also help to form a certain picture of the disease. If there is a wart on the heel, there is no skin pattern on its surface. In addition, you may see black dots. These are traces of clogged capillaries.
If necessary, an ultrasound examination is prescribed, which helps to determine the depth of penetration of the so-called "roots" of warts 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 lead to the development of keratoderma;
- Syphilis, which can cause painful ring-like growths on the feet and hands.
HPV, syphilis blood test and general analysis are also performed to clarify the diagnosis.
Why is it important to treat warts on the heel?
Although warts on the heel are considered a fairly harmless pathology, consultation with a doctor and treatment should not be postponed. Over time, the disease may worsen. In addition, self-treatment at home can only suppress the external manifestations of papilloma virus infection. At the same time, the virus will remain in the blood and cause regular recurrence of warts on the body.
It is also worth remembering that a neglected wart on the heel progresses and its growth continues. In addition, due to the external pressure on the foot, the neoplasm grows in the skin, affecting the soft tissues more and more deeply. This causes the process of compaction of the layers of the epidermis and the formation of blood clots in the capillaries, which manifests itself as dark dots on the growth surface. Gradually, the wart on the heel begins to cause severe pain.
Treatment of a wart on the heel is necessary for the following symptoms:
- severe pain in the growth area;
- Rapid growth of warts and damage to new heel areas;
- Discomfort when walking and supporting the leg.
It should also be remembered that a patient infected with HPV poses a threat to those around him because he is a carrier of the virus. Relatives of such a person are at risk of infection at home.
Only comprehensive treatment can help to completely get rid of pathological tumors and suppress the virus, as well as avoid 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 live 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.
Medicines for the treatment of warts on the heel
A wide variety of medications are available to treat heel warts. They are divided into different groups according to their composition and their effect on the characteristics of the tumor and the virus that caused the disease.
Let's look at the main groups of funds:
- Acidic substances. These drugs 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 of 10-60% concentration is required. The product should be used once a day until the tumor is completely destroyed. 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 drugs of this group cause tissue necrosis, so they should be used according to the instructions and with caution in relation to adjacent healthy tissues.
- Freezing medicines. Until recently, heel warts were frozen only in hospital settings using liquid nitrogen. Now this procedure can be performed at home using special pharmaceutical preparations. A mixture of dimethyl alcohol and propane has proven itself well. The refrigerant is liquid nitrogen. The product helps to remove warts on the heel and has a harmful effect on the papilloma virus. The use of this medicine also requires special care so as not to cause damage to healthy tissues.
- Antiviral creams, gels, ointments. These products are effective because they act directly on the cause of warts - HPV. Although most often 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 potato shoot extract. It has a herbal composition and helps stimulate the production of interferon in the body, disrupts the recovery process of viruses and causes their rapid death.
- Immunomodulatory external agents. They are quite effective when it comes to individual small warts on the heels. They help stimulate the local immune response, and the body independently suppresses the virus. Ointment based on interferon is popular. Long-term use is necessary - at least 4 weeks, until a pronounced therapeutic effect appears.
- Antiviral and immunomodulatory tablets. If the concentration of HPV in the blood is high, the doctor may prescribe a course of immunomodulatory or antiviral therapy using oral tablets. It suppresses 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 be prescribed only by the attending physician 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 several highly effective instrumental methods at different costs:
- Electrocoagulation. Heel warts that have progressed for a long time are usually rooted deep in the dermis. Electrocoagulation does not involve deep penetration into soft tissue. Therefore, this method is used only for the treatment of small, superficial formations. Electrocoagulation also often leaves scars.
- Cryodestruction. One of the most popular methods for removing warts on the heel is using liquid nitrogen. In addition, this is a fairly cheap method of influence. Scars rarely remain after manipulations. But the effectiveness of the method depends on the doctor's skill, because before removing the wart on the heel, the depth of the growing roots must be determined accurately. Otherwise, tumor recurrence may occur. The operation is quick, as is the tissue regeneration period.
- Laser removal. One of the most modern, minimally invasive methods in the treatment of pathological skin growths. Allows to achieve a good cosmetic effect. Unlike liquid nitrogen, the penetration depth of the laser beam can be easily adjusted. The procedure is short and practically painless. The wound on the heel also heals quickly and without complications. Recurrences after laser treatment of warts on the heel are almost excluded.
- Removal of radio waves. In this case, the warts are cut out with a special radio knife. At the same time, blood vessels are cauterized to avoid the spread of the virus to healthy tissues and bleeding. After such an operation, there is also a short recovery period 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 further histological examination of the removed tissue is required. The operation is quite painful, performed under local anesthesia, and the recovery period can last several weeks. Bleeding and inflammation are also possible. Scarring is common. The relative advantage of this method of treating heel warts is its low cost.
The choice of how to treat a wart on the heel is up to the patient and the attending physician. Most often, the most gentle and minimally invasive methods are chosen - removal of growths with laser and radio waves.
Folk remedies against warts on heels
If you have a wart on your heel and you don't know what to do, you can try to treat it with some substances at home. Thus, acetic acid, slurry, garlic juice, etc. c. is popular among "traditional healers". These means are less effective than pharmaceutical drugs or instrumental methods. However, they can also have positive effects when used regularly. The main condition is not to stop the treatment until the growth completely disappears.
Also, real help in the treatment of warts on the heel can be provided by an immunomodulating effect on the body using folk methods. To do this, take decoctions of the following plants: rosehip, hollyhock, sea buckthorn, mint, chamomile, lemon balm, blackcurrant and raspberry leaves, calendula. These plants will help strengthen immunity, especially in cold weather when there are not enough fresh fruits and vegetables. It is also useful to use freshly squeezed juices and various fruit drinks and compotes.
Prevention of warts on the heel
Prevention of human papillomavirus infection is the most effective way to combat it. Therefore, follow the rules of personal hygiene, try not to use other people's items and always wear changeable shoes in public places.
If you are already infected with HPV and have warts on your heels, start treating them immediately. After removing growths, carefully monitor the condition of your legs.
If you have hyperhidrosis, use only comfortable and breathable shoes made of natural materials. If your feet are deformed, wear orthotic shoes to take the extra weight off your feet.
Do not forget about a hygienic pedicure, use moisturizing creams if the skin of the heels is dry. Avoid developing cracked heels. Simple preventive measures can prevent the recurrence of tumors.
Warts on the heels are potentially harmless neoplasms, but they can cause significant discomfort to the patient, because as they grow, they put pressure on the tissues and cause pain. In addition, it should not be forgotten that these are viral formations, and therefore people are a source of infection. Therefore, the treatment of warts on the heels should be done under the supervision of a doctor.