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 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 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 highly contagious and widespread, which is why about 80% of the world's population are carriers of this virus.
Of all benign formations that can be localized on the heel, warts make up 1/3. It is very 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 items, walking barefoot on the floor in crowded areas (gyms, locker rooms, saunas, swimming pools) are all ways to transmit the papilloma virus.
Contrary to popular belief, it is almost impossible to contract 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 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 overwork, hypothermia, infectious diseases, hormonal imbalance, poor nutrition, poisoning, HPV can become active and manifest as skin tumors.
In addition, there are a number of factors that accompany the appearance of warts on the heel:
- Traumatization of the epidermis of the heel - cracks, abrasions, scratches, cuts;
- Using 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 of the feet.
As a rule, 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 from warts is possible.
Methods of 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 distinguish 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 off and a sample is taken. The obtained scraping is sent to the laboratory. There they confirm or deny the presence of HPV.
A visual examination can also help to form an accurate picture of the disease. With a wart on the heel, there is no skin pattern on its surface. You may also see blackheads. 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 the wart deep into the skin.
Differential diagnosis of heel tumors is necessary in the following cases:
- The presence of oncological lesions in the patient;
- Leg deformities of different etiology;
- Reiter's syndrome, which can provoke the development of keratoderma;
- Syphilis, which can cause painful ring-like growths on the legs and arms.
To clarify the diagnosis, a blood test for HPV, syphilis and a general analysis is 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, home self-treatment can only suppress the external manifestations of papillomavirus infection. At the same time, the virus will remain in the blood and cause regular recurrences of warts on the body.
It is also worth remembering that the neglected wart on the heel progresses and its growth continues. In addition, given the external pressure on the leg, the neoplasm grows inside the skin, affecting the soft tissues more and more deeply. This causes the process of densification 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 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 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 warts on the heel. This is an opportunity not only to remove 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 drugs, instrumental methods of removal, and sometimes you can resort to traditional medicine.
Medicines for the treatment of warts on the heel
There is a wide range of medications to treat heel warts. They are divided into different groups according to the composition and features of 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 with a concentration of 10-60% is needed. 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 burn the wart and cause the diseased areas of the dermis to die. The most popular drug of this group causes tissue necrosis, so it should be used in accordance with the instructions and with caution in relation to adjacent healthy tissues.
- Freezing medicines. Until recently, warts on the heels were frozen only in hospital conditions using liquid nitrogen. Now this procedure can be performed at home with the help of 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 drug also requires special care so as not to provoke damage to healthy tissue.
- Antiviral creams, gels, ointments. These agents 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 agents. One of the most effective drugs from this group is an ointment based on an 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.
- External immunomodulating means. They are quite effective when it comes to single small warts on the heels. They help stimulate the local immune response and the body suppresses the virus on its own. Ointment based on interferon is popular. Long-term use is necessary - at least 4 weeks until a pronounced therapeutic effect appears.
- Tablet antiviral and immunomodulating drugs. If the concentration of HPV in the blood is high, the doctor may prescribe a course of immunomodulatory or antiviral therapy with oral tablets. This will suppress the pathogen from within, 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 drugs should be prescribed only 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 at different prices:
- 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. That is why this method is only used to treat small, superficial formations. In addition, electrocoagulation often leaves behind scars.
- Cryodestruction. One of the most popular methods of removing heel warts is the use of liquid nitrogen. In addition, it is a fairly cheap method of influence. Scars rarely remain after manipulation. But the effectiveness of the method depends on the doctor's skills, 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, minimally invasive methods for the treatment of pathological formations on the skin. It 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 practically painless. The heel wound also healed quickly and without complications. Recurrences after laser treatment of warts on the heel are almost impossible.
- Eliminate radio waves. In this case, the warts are cut out with a special radio knife. At the same time, the blood vessels are burned to avoid the spread of the virus in healthy tissues and bleeding. After such an operation, there is also a short recovery period and almost 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, performed under local anesthesia, and the recovery period can last several weeks. Bleeding and inflammation are also possible. Scars are often formed. 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 depends on the patient and the attending physician. Most often, the most gentle and minimally invasive techniques are chosen - laser and radio wave removal of growths.
Folk remedies for warts on the heels
If you have a wart on the heel and you don't know what to do, then you can try to treat it with some substances at home. Thus, acetic acid, celandine juice, garlic juice, etc. are popular among "traditional healers". These means are less effective than pharmaceutical drugs or instrumental methods. However, with regular use, they can also have a positive effect. The main condition is not to interrupt 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, sea buckthorn, sea buckthorn, mint, chamomile, lemon balm, blackcurrant and raspberry leaves, calendula. These plants will help boost immunity, especially in cold weather when there is not enough fresh fruit and vegetables. The consumption of freshly squeezed juices and various fruit drinks and compotes is also useful.
Prevention of heel warts
Preventing human papillomavirus infection is the most effective way to fight it. So follow the rules of personal hygiene, try not to use other people's items and always wear changeable shoes in public places.
If you have already been infected with HPV and have warts on your heels, start treating them immediately. After removing growths, carefully monitor the condition of your feet.
If you have hyperhidrosis, wear only shoes made of natural materials that are comfortable and breathable. If your feet are deformed, wear orthotic shoes to take the extra stress off your feet.
Do not forget about hygienic pedicure, use moisturizing creams if the skin on your heels is dry. Avoid the appearance of cracked heels. Simple prevention rules can prevent the recurrence of tumors.
Warts on the heels are potentially harmless neoplasms, but they can bring 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 should be done under the supervision of a doctor.