A wart on the heel is a neoplasm that can cause great discomfort to the patient. The growth is caused by the papillomavirus and also mainly affects the affected skin on the heel. It looks like an elastic and dense growth on the epidermis, covered with dry crusts.
Causes of warts on the heel
Papillomavirus can infect different parts of the human body, causing the proliferation of epithelial tissue. Heels are no exception. Warts are usually formed here, 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, 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 transferred from a sick person to a healthy person both in everyday life and in crowded places as a result of ordinary daily contacts. Using other people's personal hygiene products, walking barefoot on the floor in rooms with a large number of people (gyms, locker rooms, saunas, swimming pools) are all ways of transmitting the papilloma virus.
Contrary to popular belief, it is almost impossible to be infected with HPV and "grow" 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 papillomavirus. People with strong immunity, as a rule, are not prone to the formation of warts and papillomas. The body's defense systems suppress the pathogen and it does not harm health. But as soon as the immune system fails, which happens during overwork, hypothermia, infectious diseases, hormonal imbalance, poor nutrition, poisoning, HPV can be activated 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 on the heel - cracks, abrasions, scratches, wounds;
- Using ill-fitting shoes that pinch, chafe or chafe the skin;
- diseases that cause trophic changes in soft tissues - varicose veins, diabetes, atherosclerosis;
- Deformative pathologies of the lower limbs - flat feet, arthritis, osteoarthritis 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 in the singular. If the pathogen is very active, massive damage to the heels and feet with 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 recognize them. An exceptional dermatologist can make an accurate diagnosis and distinguish the growth from other pathologies. For this, a procedure called dermatoscopy is most often performed.
In order to conduct a qualitative study, the stratum corneum of the epidermis is scraped and sampled. The resulting scrap is sent to the laboratory. There they confirm or deny the presence of HPV.
A visual examination will also help to make a certain picture of the disease. With a wart on the heel, there is no pattern of skin on its surface. In addition, you can see black dots. This is a sign of blocked capillaries.
If necessary, an ultrasound examination is prescribed, which helps to determine the depth of penetration of the so-called "roots" of the wart.
Differential diagnosis of tumors on 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 provoke the development of keratoderma;
- Syphilis, which can cause painful ring-shaped growths on the feet and hands.
To find out the diagnosis, a blood test for HPV, syphilis and a general analysis are also performed.
Why is it important to treat heel warts?
Despite the fact that warts on the heel are considered a fairly harmless pathology, consultation and treatment with a doctor 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 persists in the blood and causes regular recurrences of warts on the body.
It should also be remembered that a neglected wart on the heel progresses and continues to grow. Moreover, given the external pressure on the leg, the neoplasm grows inside the skin, affecting the soft tissues more and more deeply. This leads to the process of compaction of the layers of the epidermis and the formation of blood clots in the capillaries, which is manifested in the form of dark dots on the growth surface. Gradually, the wart on the heel starts to hurt.
Treatment of a wart on the heel is necessary due to 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 is a danger 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 will help to completely remove pathological tumors and suppress the virus, as well as prevent 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 cancer and the discomfort associated with it, but also to live a full life without endangering others. Warts are treated with special medications, instrumental removal methods, and sometimes you can turn to traditional medicine.
Medicines for the treatment of warts on the heel
A wide range of medications are available to treat heel warts. They are divided into different groups according to their composition and the characteristics of the effect of the virus causing the disease on the tumor.
Let's look at the main groups of funds:
- acidic substances. These drugs are sold in pharmacies without a prescription and are usually inexpensive. They have a pronounced causative effect. Salicylic acid gives good results. To remove warts on the heel, a solution of 10-60% concentration is needed. The product should be used 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 clear warts and cause the death of 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 the surrounding healthy tissues.
- freezing drugs. Until recently, heel warts were only frozen in the hospital 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 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 provoke damage to healthy tissue.
- Antiviral creams, gels, ointments. These remedies 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 causative substances. One of the most effective drugs of 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.
- External immunomodulatory agents. They are quite effective when it comes to individual small warts on the heels. They help to stimulate the local immune response and the body independently suppresses the virus. Interferon-based ointment is popular. Long-term use is required - at least 4 weeks, until a pronounced therapeutic effect appears.
- Tablets antiviral and immunomodulatory drugs. 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 recurrence. This is especially important in conditions of immunodeficiency.
If local causative agents can be used independently for the treatment of warts on the heel, according to the instructions, then oral medications should be prescribed only by the attending physician based on these tests.
Instrumental methods of removing warts on heels
Today there are several effective ways to remove a wart on the heel using different devices. Modern clinics can offer you a number of highly effective instrumental techniques at different costs:
- electrocoagulation. Heel warts that progress over a long period of time usually have roots deep in the dermis. Electrocoagulation does not involve deep penetration into soft tissue. Therefore, this method is used only for the treatment of small, superficial formations. Also, electrocoagulation often leaves scars.
- Cryodestruction. One of the most popular methods of removing warts on the heel is the use of liquid nitrogen. In addition, this is a fairly cheap method of influence. Scars rarely remain after manipulation. But the effectiveness of the method depends on the skill of the doctor, because before removing the wart on the heel, it is necessary to accurately determine the depth of the roots of the growth. 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 of treating pathological skin formations. Allows you to achieve a good cosmetic effect. The penetration depth of the laser beam is easily adjustable, unlike liquid nitrogen. The procedure is short and practically painless. The wound on the heel also heals quickly and without complications. Recurrences are almost impossible after laser treatment of warts on the heel.
- Removal of radio waves. In this case, the warts are cut with a special radio knife. At the same time, blood vessels are cauterized in order to prevent the virus from spreading to healthy tissues and bleeding. After such an operation, there is also a short recovery period and there are practically no scars.
- surgical excision. This method is considered outdated, but is used in some cases. For example, when the growth is very large and further histological examination of the removed tissue is required. 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 are often formed. The 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 rests with the patient and the attending physician. Most often, the most gentle and minimally invasive methods are selected - laser and radio wave removal of formations.
Folk remedies against warts on heels
If you have a wart on your heel and you don't know what to do, then you can try to treat it at home with some substances. Thus, acetic acid, celandine juice, garlic juice, etc. Sh. 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 stop treatment until the growth disappears completely.
Also, a real help in the treatment of warts on the heel can be the immunomodulatory effect on the body using folk methods. To do this, take a decoction of the following plants: rose hips, coltsfoot, sea pepper, 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.
Prevention of warts on the heel
Prevention of human papillomavirus infection is the most effective way to fight against it. Therefore, follow the rules of personal hygiene, try not to use other people's things and always wear a change of shoes in public places.
If you are already infected with HPV and have warts on your heels, start treating them right away. After removing the formations, carefully observe the condition of your feet.
If you have hyperhidrosis, use only shoes made of natural materials that are comfortable and breathable. If your feet are deformed, wear orthopedic shoes to take extra stress off your feet.
Do not forget a hygienic pedicure, use moisturizing creams if the skin on the heels is dry. Avoid developing cracked heels. Simple prevention rules can prevent tumor recurrence.
Warts on the heels are potentially harmless neoplasms, but they can cause significant discomfort to the patient, as they put pressure on the tissue and cause pain. In addition, we must not forget that these are viral formations and, therefore, humans are the source of infection. Therefore, the treatment of warts on the heels must be carried out under the supervision of a doctor.