A heel wart is a tumor 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 of the heel. It looks like an elastic and dense formation on the epidermis, covered with dry crusts.
Causes of warts on the heel
The 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 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 very contagious and widespread, which is why approximately 80% of the world's population carries this virus.
Among all the benign growths that can be located on the heel, warts represent 1/3. It is quite easy to become infected with HPV, which provokes its occurrence - 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 placesvery busy. Using other people's personal hygiene items, walking barefoot on the floors in rooms where there are a large number of people (gyms, changing 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 dies quickly when dried and exposed to sunlight.
The formation 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. But as soon as the immune system fails, which happens with overwork, hypothermia, infectious diseases, hormonal imbalances, poor diet, poisoning, HPV can become active and manifest itself as skin tumors.
In addition, a number of factors accompany the appearance of warts on the heel:
- Trauma to the heel epidermis – 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 limbs - flat feet, arthritis, osteoarthritis and others;
- Excessive sweating or excessive dryness and sensitivity of the epidermis of 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, warts can cause massive damage to the heels and feet.
Methods for diagnosing warts on the heel
Due to the constant pressure placed on the foot and heel, warts in this area often look a lot like corns and calluses. So they are not so easy to identify. An exceptional dermatologist is able to make an accurate diagnosis and differentiate the growth from other pathologies. To do this, a procedure called dermatoscopy is most often performed.
To carry out a qualitative study, the stratum corneum of the epidermis is scraped and a sample is taken. The scraping obtained is sent to the laboratory. There, they confirm or deny the presence of HPV.
A visual examination can also help paint an accurate picture of the disease. With a wart on the heel, there are no skin patterns on its surface. Additionally, you may see blackheads. These are traces of blocked capillaries.
If necessary, an ultrasound scan is prescribed, which makes it possible to establish the depth of penetration of the so-called "roots" of the wart deep into the skin.
Differentiated diagnosis of heel tumors is required in the following cases:
- The presence of oncological lesions in the patient;
- Foot deformities of various etiologies;
- Reiter's syndrome, which can cause 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 carried out.
Why is it important to treat heel warts?
Although heel warts are considered a fairly harmless pathology, consultation with a doctor and treatment should not be delayed. Over time, the disease can get worse. In addition, self-medication at home 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. Furthermore, given the external pressure exerted on the foot, the tumor 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 manifest themselves 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 heel wart 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 is also worth remembering that a patient infected with HPV poses a threat to others, because he or she is a carrier of the virus. Relatives of such a person are at risk of infection at home.
Only comprehensive treatment can help completely eliminate 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 heel wart. 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 methods of removal, and sometimes you can resort to traditional medicine.
Medications to treat heel warts
There are a wide range of medications available to treat heel warts. They are divided into different groups depending on their composition and the characteristics of their impact on the tumor and the virus causing the disease.
Let's look at the main groups of funds:
- Acidic substances. These medications are available in pharmacies without a prescription and are generally inexpensive. They have a pronounced cauterizing effect. Salicylic acid gives good results. To remove warts on the heel, a solution with a concentration of 10 to 60% is needed. The product should be applied once a day until the tumor is completely destroyed. This substance is not suitable for diabetic and cancer patients. 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 in this group causes tissue necrosis. It should therefore be used according to instructions and with caution in relation to adjacent healthy tissues.
- Freezing medications. Until recently, heel warts were only frozen in a hospital setting using liquid nitrogen. Now this procedure can be done 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 detrimental effect on the papilloma virus. The use of this medication also requires special precautions so as not to damage healthy tissues.
- Antiviral creams, gels, ointments. These remedies are effective because they act directly on the cause of warts – HPV. Although more often, 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 sprout extract. 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.
- External immunomodulatory agents. They are very effective when it comes to small isolated warts on the heels. They help stimulate the local immune response and the body suppresses the virus independently. Interferon ointment is popular. Long-term application is necessary - for at least 4 weeks until a pronounced therapeutic effect appears.
- Antiviral and immunomodulatory drugs in tablets. If the concentration of HPV in the blood is high, the doctor may prescribe immunomodulatory or antiviral treatment using oral tablets. This will remove the pathogen from the inside, avoiding the risk of relapse. This is particularly 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 heels
Today there are several effective ways to remove a wart on the heel using various devices. Modern clinics can offer a number of very effective instrumental techniques at different costs:
- Electrocoagulation. Heel warts that have progressed for a long time 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. Additionally, electrocoagulation often leaves scars.
- Cryodestruction. Liquid nitrogen is one of the most popular methods for removing heel warts. Plus, this is a fairly cheap method of influence. Scars rarely remain after manipulation. But the effectiveness of the method depends on the skills 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, tumor recurrence may occur. The operation is quick, as is the tissue regeneration period.
- Laser Removal. One of the most modern and least 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 heel wound also heals quickly and without complications. Relapses after laser treatment of heel warts 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 prevent the spread of the virus to healthy tissue and bleeding. After such an operation, the recovery period is also short and practically no scarring.
- Surgical excision. This method is considered obsolete, but is used in a number of cases. For example, when the growth is very large and a more thorough histological examination of the removed tissue is necessary. The operation is quite painful, takes place 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 heel warts is its low cost.
The choice of how to treat a heel wart is up to the patient and the attending physician. Most often, the most gentle and least invasive techniques are selected - removal of growths with laser and radio waves.
Folk remedies for warts on heels
If you have a heel wart and you don't know what to do, you can try treating it with certain substances at home. So, 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: rosehip, 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.
Heel wart prevention
Preventing 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 things 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 removing the growths, carefully monitor the condition of your feet.
If you suffer from hyperhidrosis, only use shoes made from natural materials that are comfortable and breathable. If your feet are deformed, wear orthopedic shoes to eliminate excess stress on your feet.
Don't forget about hygienic pedicure, use moisturizing creams if the skin on your heels is dry. Avoid developing cracked heels. Simple prevention rules can prevent tumors from recurring.
Warts on the heels are potentially harmless neoplasms, but they can bring considerable discomfort to the patient because, as they grow, they put pressure on the tissues and cause pain. In addition, we must not forget that these are viral formations and therefore humans are the source of infection. Therefore, treatment of warts on heels should be carried out under the supervision of a doctor.