A wart on the heel is a neoplasm that can cause great discomfort to the patient. The growth occurs under the influence of papillomavirus and also affects damaged skin, mainly on the heel. It looks like an elastic and dense formation covered with dry crusts on the epidermis.
Causes of warts on the heel
Papillomavirus can infect various parts of the human body, causing proliferation of epithelial tissue. High heels are no exception. As a rule, warts triggered by HPV types 1, 2, 4, 27 and 57 occur here. 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 are carriers of this virus.
Warts constitute 1/3 of all benign growths that can be localized on the heel. It is quite easy to become 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 and in crowded places. Using other people's personal hygiene items, walking barefoot in rooms where there are a large number of people (gyms, locker rooms, saunas, swimming pools) are ways of transmission of the papillomavirus.
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 papillomavirus infection. People with strong immunity are generally not susceptible to the formation of warts and papillomas. The body's defense systems suppress the pathogen and it does not harm health. However, when the immune system collapses due to overwork, hypothermia, infectious diseases, hormonal imbalances, malnutrition, and poisoning, HPV can become active and manifest itself as skin tumors.
There are also 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 ill-fitting shoes that compress, crush or rub the skin;
- Diseases that cause trophic changes in soft tissues - varicose veins, diabetes, atherosclerosis;
- Deformation pathologies of the lower extremities - flat feet, arthritis, osteoarthritis and others;
- Excessive sweating or extreme dryness of the feet and sensitivity of the epidermis.
As a rule, if the virus is not very active and the immune system resists, heel warts may appear singly. If the pathogen is very active, it is possible for warts to cause great damage to the heels and feet.
Methods for diagnosing heel warts
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 detect. An outstanding dermatologist can make an accurate diagnosis and differentiate 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 and a sample is taken. The resulting scraping is sent to the laboratory. There they confirm or deny the existence of HPV.
A visual examination can also help create an accurate picture of the disease. When there is a wart on the heel, no skin pattern can be seen on its surface. You may also see black dots. These are traces of clogged capillaries.
If necessary, an ultrasound examination is prescribed, which helps determine the depth of penetration of the so-called "roots" of the wart deep into the skin.
Differential diagnosis of tumors on the heel is necessary in the following cases:
- Presence of oncological lesions in the patient;
- Foot deformities of various etiologies;
- Reiter's syndrome, which can trigger the development of keratoderma;
- Syphilis 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 rather harmless pathology, consultation with a doctor and treatment should not be delayed. Over time, the disease may worsen. In addition, self-medication at home can only suppress the external signs of papillomavirus infection. At the same time, the virus will continue to remain in the blood and cause warts to recur regularly in the body.
It is also worth remembering that a neglected wart progresses to the heel and continues to grow. Moreover, given the external pressure exerted on the foot, the neoplasm grows inside the skin, affecting the soft tissues more and more deeply. This causes compression of the epidermis layers 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 heel warts is necessary for the following symptoms:
- Severe pain in the growth area;
- Rapid growth of warts 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 completely get rid of pathological tumors, suppress the virus and prevent relapse.
Ways to treat heel warts
Only combination therapy will help those who do not know how to get rid of the wart on the heel. This is an opportunity not only to remove the tumor and its associated discomfort, but also to live 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.
Medicines to treat heel warts
A wide variety of medications are available to treat heel warts. They are divided into different groups according to their composition and their effects on the disease-causing tumor and virus.
Let's look at the main fund groups:
- 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 of 10-60% concentration is required. The product should be applied once a day until the tumor is completely destroyed. This substance is not suitable for diabetics 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 warts, causing diseased areas of the dermis to die. The most popular drug from this group causes tissue necrosis, so it should be used according to the instructions and with caution against adjacent healthy tissues.
- Freezing medicines. Until recently, heel warts could only be frozen using liquid nitrogen in a hospital setting. Now this procedure can be carried out 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 remove warts on the heel and has a detrimental effect on the papilloma virus. The use of this medication also requires special care to avoid damaging healthy tissue.
- Antiviral creams, gels, ointments. These medications are effective because they act directly on HPV, which is the cause of warts. Although often longer exposure to the tumor is required compared to aggressive cauterizing agents. One of the most effective drugs in this group is an ointment based on extracts from potato shoots. It has a herbal composition and helps stimulate the production of interferon in the body, disrupting the healing process of viruses and causing their rapid death.
- Immunomodulatory external agents. They are quite effective when it comes to single small warts on the heels. They help stimulate the local immune response and the body independently suppresses the virus. Interferon-based ointment is popular. Long-term application is required - at least 4 weeks until a pronounced therapeutic effect occurs.
- Tablet 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 and prevent the risk of relapse. This is especially important in cases of immunodeficiency.
If local cauterizing agents can be used independently to treat warts on the heel according to the instructions, oral medications should be prescribed by the attending physician only based on these tests.
Instrumental methods to remove warts on the heels
Today there are several effective ways to remove heel warts using various devices. Modern clinics can offer a number of highly effective instrumental techniques at different costs:
- electrocoagulation. The roots of heel warts that have progressed for a long time usually extend deep into the dermis. Electrocoagulation does not require penetration to great depths into soft tissue. Therefore, this method is used only in the treatment of small, superficial formations. Additionally, electrocoagulation often leaves scars behind.
- Cryodestruction. One of the most popular methods for removing heel warts is to use liquid nitrogen. Also, this is a very 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 fast and the tissue regeneration process is also fast.
- laser removal. One of the most modern, minimally invasive methods of treating pathological skin growths. 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 almost 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 tissues and bleeding. After such an operation, there is a short recovery period and there is almost no scar.
- surgical excision. This method is considered obsolete, 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 recovery may take several weeks. Bleeding and inflammation are also possible. Scars occur frequently. A relative advantage of this method of treating warts on the heel is its low cost.
The choice of how to treat a heel wart depends on the patient and the treating physician. Most often, the most gentle and minimally invasive techniques are chosen - removal of growths by laser and radio wave.
Folk remedies for warts on the heels
If you have a wart on your heel and you don't know what to do, you can try treating it at home with some substances. Therefore, acetic acid, celandine juice, garlic juice, etc. Popular among "traditional healers". These drugs are less effective than pharmaceutical drugs or instrumental methods. However, it can also have positive effects with regular application. The main condition is not to interrupt treatment until the growth disappears completely.
Also, 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 herbs: rosehip, coltsfoot, sea buckthorn, mint, chamomile, lemon balm, black currant and raspberry leaves, calendula. These herbs will help strengthen immunity, especially in cold weather when fresh fruits and vegetables are not enough. It is also beneficial to consume freshly squeezed fruit juices, 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 things 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 removing the growths, carefully monitor the condition of your feet.
If you have hyperhidrosis, only use shoes made from natural materials that are comfortable and breathable. If your feet are deformed, wear orthopedic shoes to relieve excess stress on your feet.
Don't forget a 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 as they grow, they can cause significant discomfort to the patient, as they put pressure on the tissue and trigger pain. We should also remember that these are viral formations, and therefore the source of infection is humans. For this reason, the treatment of heel warts must be done under the supervision of a doctor.