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 on the heel. It appears as an elastic and dense formation in the epidermis covered with dry crusts.
Causes of warts on the heel
Papillomavirus is capable of infecting various parts of the human body, causing proliferation of epithelial tissue. Heels are no exception. Here, as a rule, warts caused by HPV types 1, 2, 4, 27 and 57 are formed. In total, there are at least 100 strains of this pathogen in the world. It is highly contagious and widespread, and therefore approximately 80% of the world's population is a carrier of this virus.
Warts account for 1/3 of all benign growths that can be localized on the heel. It is quite easy to get infected with HPV, which causes their appearance - the virus is transmitted from a sick person to a healthy person as a result of ordinary daily contacts in everyday life, as well as in crowded places. Using other people's personal hygiene products, walking barefoot on floors in crowded rooms (gyms, locker rooms, saunas, swimming pools) are ways of transmitting the papilloma virus.
Contrary to popular belief, it is almost impossible to catch HPV and "get" a heel wart on the beach. This pathogen dies quickly when dried and exposed to sunlight.
The appearance of warts on the heel does not always occur immediately after papillomavirus infection. People with strong immunity are usually not susceptible to the formation of warts and papillomas. The body's defense systems suppress the pathogen and do 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 itself as skin tumors.
In addition, there are a number of factors that accompany the appearance of warts on the heel:
- Trauma of the epidermis on the heel - cracks, abrasions, scratches, cuts;
- Using inappropriate shoes that squeeze, crush or rub the skin;
- Diseases causing trophic changes in soft tissues - varicose veins, diabetes, atherosclerosis;
- Deformation pathologies of the lower extremities - flat feet, arthritis, arthrosis and others;
- Excessive sweating or excessive dryness and sensitivity of the epidermis on the feet.
As a rule, if the virus is not very active and the immune system resists, warts on the heel can appear alone. If the pathogen is very active, massive damage to the heels and feet by warts is possible.
Methods of diagnosing warts on the heel
Due to the constant pressure on the foot and heel, warts in this area often look very similar to corns and calluses. Therefore, it is not so easy to identify them. An exceptional dermatologist is able to make an accurate diagnosis and differentiate the growth from other pathologies. For this, a procedure called dermatoscopy is performed.
To conduct a qualitative study, the stratum corneum layer of the epidermis is broken and sampled. The resulting scrap is sent to the laboratory. There they confirm or deny the presence of HPV.
Visual examination can also help create an accurate picture of the disease. With a wart on the heel, there is no skin pattern on its surface. In addition, you can see black dots. These are traces of blocked capillaries.
If necessary, an ultrasound examination is prescribed, which helps to determine the depth of penetration of the skin, the so-called "roots" of the wart.
Differential diagnosis of tumors in the heel is required in the following cases:
- 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-shaped growths 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 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, self-treatment at home can suppress only the external manifestations of papillomavirus infection. At the same time, the virus will remain in the blood and cause regular recurrence of warts in the body.
It should also be remembered that a neglected wart on the heel progresses and continues to grow. Moreover, taking into account the external pressure of the foot, the neoplasm grows inside the skin, affecting the soft tissues deeper and deeper. This causes the process of compression 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 for the following symptoms:
- Severe pain in the growth area;
- 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 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 will help those who do not know how to get rid of a wart on the heel. This is an opportunity not only to get rid of the tumor and the discomfort associated with it, but also to lead a full life without endangering others. Warts are treated with special drugs, instrumental removal methods, and sometimes you can turn to traditional medicine.
Medicines to treat 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 virus that causes tumor and disease.
Let's take a look at the main fund groups:
- Acidic substances. These drugs are available in pharmacies without a prescription 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 remove warts on the heel. The product should be applied once a day until the tumor is completely destroyed. This item is not suitable for diabetics and cancer patients. An analogue of salicylic acid is trichloroacetic acid.
- Alkaline products. These substances have almost the same effect on pathological tissues as before. They also burn warts and cause diseased areas of the dermis to die. 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.
- Antifreeze drugs. Until recently, heel warts were only frozen in a hospital setting 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 coolant is nitrogen. The product helps to eliminate warts on the heel and has a harmful effect on the papilloma virus. The use of this drug also requires special care to avoid damaging healthy tissue.
- Antiviral creams, gels, ointments. These remedies are effective because they directly affect the cause of warts - HPV. Often, a 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 the extract of potato shoots. It has a herbal composition and helps to stimulate the production of interferon in the body, disrupts the recovery process of viruses and causes their rapid death.
- Immunomodulatory foreign agents. They are quite effective when it comes to single small warts on the heels. They help to stimulate the local immune response and the body suppresses the virus independently. Ointment based on interferon is popular. Long-term application is required - at least 4 weeks until a clear therapeutic effect appears.
- Tablet antiviral and immunomodulatory drugs. If the concentration of HPV in the blood is high, the doctor can 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 cases of immunodeficiency.
If local cauterizing agents can be used independently to treat warts on the heel following the instructions, oral drugs should be prescribed only by the attending physician based on these tests.
Instrumental methods to remove 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 methods at different costs:
- Electrocoagulation. Long-standing heel warts usually have roots deep in the dermis. Electrocoagulation does not involve deep penetration into soft tissues. Therefore, this method is used only to treat small, superficial formations. Also, electrocoagulation often leaves scars.
- Cryodestruction. One of the most popular ways to get rid of heel warts is to use liquid nitrogen. In addition, it is a fairly cheap method of influence. Scars rarely remain after manipulation. However, the effectiveness of the method depends on the skill of the doctor, because before removing the warts on the heel, it is necessary to determine the depth of the roots of the growth. Otherwise, tumor recurrence may occur. The operation is as fast as the tissue regeneration cycle.
- Laser removal. It is one of the most modern, minimally invasive methods of treating pathological skin growths. It allows to get 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. The wound on the heel also heals quickly and without complications. Relapses are almost excluded after laser treatment of warts on the heel.
- Radio wave removal. In this case, the warts are cut with a special radio knife. At the same time, blood vessels are burned to prevent the spread of the virus to healthy tissues and bleeding. After such an operation, there is a short recovery period and there are practically 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 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 inflammation are also possible. Scars are often formed. The relative advantage of this method for treating warts on the heel is its low cost.
The choice of how to treat a wart on the heel rests with the patient and the treating doctor. Often, the most gentle and minimally invasive methods are chosen - removal of growths with laser and radio waves.
Folk remedies against warts on the 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 home remedies. Thus, acetic acid, celandine juice, garlic juice, etc. popular among "traditional healers". These means are less effective than pharmaceutical drugs or instrumental methods. But with regular application, they can also have a positive effect. The main condition is not to interrupt the treatment until the growth completely disappears.
Also, a real help in the treatment of warts on the heel can be 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 to increase 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 fight it. Therefore, follow the rules of personal hygiene, try not to use other people's things and always wear changeable shoes in public.
If you already have HPV and have warts on your heels, start treating them right away. After removing growths, carefully monitor the condition of your feet.
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 stress off your feet.
Do not forget about hygienic pedicure, if the skin of your heels is dry, use moisturizing creams. Avoid developing cracked heels. Simple rules of prevention can prevent 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 tissue and cause pain. In addition, we must not forget that these are viral formations, and therefore people are a source of infection. Therefore, the treatment of warts on the heels must be carried out under the supervision of a doctor.