Plantar wart is a skin growth of a viral nature, it is also called corn. From medical terminology it is clear that such formations are localized on the soles of the feet and toes. From the point of view of oncological risk, they are not dangerous, but they cause a lot of inconvenience when walking due to their painful compression.
Causes of plantar warts
All types of warts, including plantar warts, are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). You can get it through close contact with infected people or in everyday life. The virus quickly dies from the sun, but it feels great in high humidity. Therefore, most often, HPV infection occurs in baths, saunas and swimming pools. Penetration of the virus into the body is facilitated by microtrauma and cracks in the skin, as well as reduced immunity.
With strong protective properties of the body, the virus after infection can remain dormant for an indefinitely long period. But if the immunity wanes, it begins to multiply actively, causing the appearance of warts of different localizations on the skin. For their occurrence, it is on the sole basis that HPV subtypes 1, 2, 4, 27 and 57 are most often responsible.
Several predisposing factors contribute to the appearance of such formations:
- shoes too tight or out of size;
- frequent wearing of high heels;
- various foot deformities (including flat feet);
- various diseases of the joints of the feet (arthritis, osteoarthritis, etc. ).
Warts on the leg are more common in people with excessive dry skin and hyperkeratosis.
Thus, the causes of plantar warts are the same in all cases (HPV infection), but the predisposing factors are different. The number and size of the elements on the skin depend on them and the state of immunity.
How do plantar warts appear
A wart on the foot looks like a rounded skin growth. It can be of different sizes, but rarely exceeds two centimeters in diameter. It does not rise above the level of the skin by more than three millimeters, but at the same time it penetrates deep inside with its root. The color may not differ from the surrounding skin, or be darker or lighter. Often these formations have a yellow or gray tint. Visually, when seen inside the elements, black dots or lines can be seen (they are also clearly visible in the photo). This is what the capillaries look like, in which blood clots have formed, due to the compression of the Horny vessels by masses.
At first, the plantar wart has a smooth surface. But over time it becomes hard, rough, thickened. It is the horny masses that give these warts their yellow color.
An important symptom of plantar warts is pain when squeezing. Each stage inflicts severe acute pain on the patient.
These warts are very similar to plantar calluses. The resemblance to a cornice is especially pronounced due to the severe pain of both formations. The main difference is that there is no skin pattern on the surface of the warts, while it remains on the calluses.
Diagnosis of plantar warts
A competent dermatologist will diagnose this disease on the basis of a single clinical picture. In some cases, additional dermatoscopy is necessary. The absence of a skin pattern on the formation and the presence of capillaries with blood clots in its structure confirms this diagnosis.
Plantar warts treatment
Plantar warts are more difficult to remove than similar formations in other areas due to their penetration deeper into the dermis. In the case of small and newly formed elements, external necrotizing preparations can be used. Large and deep warts are removed surgically. At the same time, the old formations must first be softened with keratolytic agents.
External preparations for removing warts
In some cases, self-destruction of such formations is possible. But since the plantar wart hurts a lot, patients don't want to wait and try to get rid of it as quickly as possible.
Any remedy for plantar warts with necrotizing effect is prescribed to remove small superficial elements.
These products contain acids which coagulate skin proteins, causing necrosis. Medicines containing refrigerant have a similar effect. But they cause necrotizing effects by freezing tissue, not chemical damage.
All these drugs are applied occasionally during training. It is necessary to strictly monitor that the substance does not fall on the surrounding tissues, as this will burn them. After treatment, a sore will remain at the site of the old wart, which will be covered with a scab. After healing, he will fall on his own. You can do such treatment at home, but only as directed by a doctor.
In this way, it is possible to remove a plantar wart only of small size and with a shallow penetration into the skin. For large items, you should choose other methods of removal, as incomplete destruction of the wart tissue will definitely lead to its recurrence.
Surgical methods to remove plantar warts
There are several ways to remove a plantar wart in surgery. Soft methods are preferred:
- laser removal;
- radio wave knife;
- cryodestruction;
- electrocautery.
All of these procedures are performed on an outpatient basis. Patients can go home literally within minutes of their completion, all they need is regular treatment of the wound at home.
The safest and most effective methods of removing plantar warts are laser or radio wave knife excision. When done, the vessels immediately clot, which is a good prevention of bleeding and secondary infections. Complications during the removal of skin formations with the help of these methods are extremely rare. The same cannot be said for cryodestruction and electrocoagulation, so these treatment methods have disappeared and are rarely used.
If the warts are large or old (covered with a large amount of horny masses), it is recommended to treat them with keratolytic agents for two weeks before the removal procedure. For this purpose, salicylic ointment or acid and other drugs are prescribed. Thus, it is possible to exfoliate part of the horny scales, to make the formations softer and more flexible. This will make it easier and faster to remove the wart.
In rare cases, when there are many items or there are doubts about their nature, the doctor may advise surgical excision with a scalpel. With this method of wart removal, the rehabilitation period and the high risk of scarring is much longer, so it is only used under strict indications.
Characteristics of plantar warts in children
In children over five years old, plantar warts are quite common, as they often run barefoot, injure themselves and do not always follow the rules of personal hygiene. Malfunctions of immunity due to regular contact with sick children (in kindergartens and schools), which leads to an increased likelihood of warts.
Treatment of such formations in a child is best started with external agents. You can try exfoliating the shallow elements using salicylic ointment, followed by pumice stone. Immunomodulatory drugs have been proven to work. When applied regularly to a wart, they can remove it in a matter of weeks.
If the elements are deep, apply necrotizing agents or remove them with a laser or radio wave knife.
Prevention of plantar warts
It is absolutely impossible to protect yourself from the appearance of warts, but you can reduce the risk of their appearance. To do this, you need to act in two directions: eliminate predisposing factors and stimulate the body's defenses.
To reach the first goal you need:
- follow the rules of personal hygiene (do not walk barefoot in public places, wash your feet daily and treat cuts and wounds in a timely manner);
- choose comfortable shoes by size;
- in time to prevent foot deformities and treat joint disease.
A healthy lifestyle, playing sports, getting tough, taking vitamin complexes and immunostimulating drugs prescribed by a doctor will help maintain the body's defenses at a good level.
In case of excessive dryness of the skin and hyperkeratosis, regular medical pedicures and peels are recommended. With excessive sweating of the legs, you need to use special agents for the treatment of hyperhidrosis. By following all these rules, the risk of developing warts on the soles of the feet will be minimal.
Plantar warts are not a dangerous disease, but they cause a lot of inconvenience due to the pain when walking. Fortunately, there are many ways in modern medicine to get rid of it quickly and with minimal risk of further relapses. To do this, you need to consult a dermatologist and strictly follow all his appointments and recommendations.