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 mainly affects the damaged skin on the heel. It looks like an elastic, 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, and therefore approximately 80% of the world's population carries this virus.
Of all benign growths that can be located on the heel, warts make up 1/3. It is quite easy to contract HPV, which causes its appearance: the virus is transmitted from a sick person to a healthy person as a result of normal daily contacts in everyday life, as well as in crowded places. Using other people's personal hygiene articles, walking barefoot on the floor in environments frequented by 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 nearly 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 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 it causes no 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 activate 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 inappropriate shoes that pinch, squeeze 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 skin 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 due to warts is possible.
Methods for diagnosing warts on the heel
Due to the 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 dermoscopy is 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 to reconstruct a precise picture of the disease. With a wart on the heel, there is no skin pattern on its surface. Also, you can see the blackheads. These are traces of blocked capillaries.
If necessary, 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.
Differential diagnosis of heel tumors is necessary in the following cases:
- The presence of oncological lesions in the patient;
- Foot deformities of various etiology;
- 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 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 can get worse. 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. Furthermore, given the external pressure 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 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, since 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 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 drugs, instrumental removal methods, and sometimes it is possible to resort to traditional medicine.
Medicines to treat warts on the heel
There is a wide range of medications available to treat heel warts. They are divided into several groups based on their composition and the characteristics of their impact on the tumor and the virus that caused the disease.
Let's look at the main fund groups:
- Acidic substances. These drugs 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 you need a solution with a concentration of 10-60%. 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 death of the diseased areas of the dermis. 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.
- Freezing of medicines. 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 effective. The refrigerant is liquid nitrogen. The product helps to remove warts on the heel and has a harmful effect on the papilloma virus. The use of this drug also requires special care so as not to cause damage to healthy tissue.
- Antiviral creams, gels, ointments. These remedies are effective because they act directly on the cause of warts: HPV. Although very 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 of potato sprouts. It has a herbal composition and helps stimulate the production of interferon in the body, interrupts the recovery process of viruses and causes their rapid death.
- External immunomodulatory agents. They are very effective when dealing with individual small warts on the heels. They help stimulate the local immune response and the body suppresses the virus on its own. 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 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, oral medications should be prescribed by the attending physician only on the basis of 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 been progressing for a long time usually have deep roots in the dermis. Electrocoagulation does not involve great depth penetration into soft tissue. Therefore, this method is used only to treat small and superficial formations. Furthermore, electrocoagulation often leaves scars.
- Cryodestruction. One of the most popular methods for removing warts on the heel is the use of liquid nitrogen. Moreover, this is a fairly economical 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, the tumor may return. The operation is fast, as is the tissue regeneration period.
- Laser removal. One of the most modern and minimally invasive methods for the treatment of pathological skin growths. It allows you to obtain 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 wound on the heel also heals quickly and without complications. Recurrences after laser treatment of warts on the heel are almost excluded.
- Radio wave removal. In this case, warts are cut with a special radio knife. At the same time, blood vessels are cauterized to prevent the virus from spreading to healthy tissue and bleeding. After such an operation there is also a short recovery period and practically no scarring.
- Surgical excision. This method is considered obsolete, but is used in numerous cases. For example, when the growth is very large and further histological examination of the removed tissue is necessary. 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 is up to the patient and the attending physician. Most often, the most gentle and minimally invasive techniques are selected: removal of growths using lasers and radio waves.
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 to treat it with some substances at home. Therefore, acetic acid, celandine juice, garlic juice, etc. they are popular among "traditional healers". These remedies are less effective than drugs or instrumental methods. However, with regular application they can also have a positive effect. The main condition is not to stop treatment until the growth completely disappears.
In addition, real help in the treatment of warts on the heel can be provided by the 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 strengthen the immune system, 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 fight it. Therefore, follow the rules of personal hygiene, try not to use other people's objects and always wear replaceable shoes in public places.
If you are already 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 suffer from hyperhidrosis, only use shoes made from natural, comfortable and breathable materials. If your feet are deformed, wear orthopedic shoes to remove excess stress from your feet.
Do not forget about hygienic pedicure, use moisturizing creams if the skin on the heels is dry. Avoid developing cracked heels. Simple prevention rules can prevent tumors from recurring.
Warts on the heels are potentially harmless tumors, but they can cause considerable discomfort to the patient as, as they grow, they put pressure on the tissues, causing pain. Furthermore, we must not forget that these are viral formations and therefore the source of the infection is humans. Therefore, treatment of warts on the heels should be carried out under the supervision of a doctor.