A wart on the heel is a neoplasm that can cause great discomfort to the patient. The growth is formed under the influence of papillomavirus, and also mainly affects damaged skin on the heel. It looks like an elastic and dense formation on the epidermis, covered with dry crusts.
Causes of warts on the heel
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, 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 very contagious and widespread, and therefore about 80% of the world's population are carriers of this virus.
Of all the benign growths that can be localized on the heel, warts make up 1/3. It is quite easy to become infected with HPV, which causes their appearance - the virus is transmitted from a sick person to a healthy person as a result of ordinary everyday contacts in everyday life, as well as in crowded places. Using other people's personal hygiene items, walking barefoot on floors in rooms where there are a large number of people (gyms, locker rooms, saunas, swimming pools) are all ways of transmitting the papilloma virus.
Contrary to popular belief, it is almost impossible to become infected with HPV and "earn" a wart on your heel at the beach. This pathogen quickly dies when dried and exposed to sunlight.
The formation of warts on the heel does not always occur immediately after infection with 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 cause harm to health. But as soon as the immune system fails, which happens with overwork, hypothermia, infectious diseases, hormonal imbalances, poor nutrition, poisoning, HPV is able to become active and manifest itself as skin tumors.
In addition, there are a number of factors that accompany the appearance of warts on the heel:
- Traumatization of the epidermis on the heel - cracks, abrasions, scratches, cuts;
- Using ill-fitting shoes that pinch, crush, or rub the skin;
- Diseases that cause trophic changes in soft tissues - varicose veins, diabetes, atherosclerosis;
- Deformation pathologies of the lower extremities - flat feet, arthritis, osteoarthritis and others;
- Excessive sweating or excessive dryness and sensitivity of the epidermis on the feet.
As a rule, if the virus is not too active and the immune system resists, warts on the heel may appear in the singular. If the pathogen is very active, massive damage to the heels and feet by warts is possible.
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 dermatoscopy is most often performed.
To conduct 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 put together a definite picture of the disease. With a wart on the heel, there is no skin pattern on its surface. In addition, you can see blackheads. These are traces of clogged capillaries.
If required, an ultrasound examination is prescribed, which helps to establish the depth of penetration of the so-called "roots" of the wart deep into the skin.
Differentiated diagnosis of tumors on the heel is required in the following cases:
- The presence of oncological lesions in the patient;
- Foot deformities of various etiologies;
- Reiter's syndrome, which can provoke 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 for HPV, syphilis and a general analysis are also performed.
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 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 recurrences of warts on the body.
It is also worth remembering that a neglected wart on the heel progresses and its growth continues. Moreover, 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 layers of the epidermis 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 a wart on the heel is necessary for the following symptoms:
- Severe pain in the area of the growth;
- Rapid growth of the wart and damage to new areas of the heel;
- Discomfort when walking and supporting the leg.
It should also be remembered that a patient infected with HPV poses a threat to others, as he is a carrier of the virus. Relatives of such a person are at risk of infection at home.
Only comprehensive treatment can help completely get rid of pathological tumors and suppress the virus, as well as avoid relapses.
Ways to treat warts on the heel
Only combination 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 warts on the heel. They are divided into different groups according to 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 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 applied 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 diseased areas of the dermis to die. The most popular drug from this group causes tissue necrosis, so it must be used according to the instructions and with caution in relation to adjacent healthy tissues.
- Freezing drugs. Until recently, heel warts were only frozen in a hospital setting 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 refrigerant is liquid nitrogen. The product helps remove warts on the heel and has a detrimental effect on the papilloma virus. The use of this drug also requires special care so as not to provoke damage to healthy tissue.
- Antiviral creams, gels, ointments. These remedies 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 an extract from potato shoots. 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 single small warts on the heels. They help stimulate the local immune response and the body independently suppresses the virus. Interferon-based ointment is popular. Long-term application is required - for at least 4 weeks until a pronounced 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 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 attending physician based on these tests.
Instrumental methods for removing warts on the 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 into the dermis. Electrocoagulation does not involve penetration to a great depth into soft tissue. Therefore, this method is used only to treat small, superficial formations. Also, electrocoagulation often leaves behind 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 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 roots of the growth before removing the wart on the heel. Otherwise, a recurrence of the tumor may occur. The operation is fast, as is the period of tissue regeneration.
- Laser removal. One of the most modern, minimally invasive methods of 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 virtually painless. The wound on the heel also heals quickly and without complications. Relapses after laser treatment of warts on the heel are almost excluded.
- Radio wave removal. 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 virtually no scars.
- 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 quite painful, is performed under local anesthesia, and the recovery period can last several weeks. Bleeding and inflammation 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 wart on the heel lies with the patient and the treating physician. Most often, the most gentle and minimally invasive techniques are selected - laser and radio wave removal of growths.
Folk remedies for warts on the heels
If you have a wart on your heel and you don’t know what to do, then you can try treating it with some substances at home. Thus, acetic acid, celandine juice, garlic juice, etc. are popular among "traditional healers. "These remedies are less effective than pharmaceutical drugs or instrumental methods. However, with regular application they can also have a positive effect. The main condition is not to interrupt treatment until the growth completely disappears.
Also, real help in the treatment of warts on the heel can be provided by an immunomodulatory effect on the body 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 boost 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, adhere to the rules of personal hygiene, try not to use other people’s objects and always wear replaceable shoes in public places.
If you have already been infected with HPV and have warts on your heels, start treating them immediately. After eliminating the growths, carefully monitor the condition of your feet.
If you have hyperhidrosis, use only shoes made from natural materials that are comfortable and breathable. If your feet are deformed, wear orthopedic shoes to remove excess stress from your feet.
Don't forget about hygienic pedicure, use moisturizing creams if the skin on your heels is dry. Avoid developing cracked heels. Simple rules of prevention can prevent the recurrence of tumors.
Warts on the heels are potentially harmless neoplasms, but they can bring considerable discomfort to the patient, since, as they grow, they put pressure on the tissue and provoke pain. In addition, we should not forget that these are viral formations, and therefore humans are the source of infection. Therefore, treatment of warts on the heels must be carried out under the supervision of a doctor.