If a hard, rough papule with a rough tip appears on the soles of the feet, it is either a plantar wart or a callus. The differences are significant, especially in the origin and methods of treatment. The wart grows like a sharp thorn in the inner layer of the skin of the foot, causing severe pain. Doctors recommend eliminating this swelling of the skin if it is damaged by shoes and becomes inflamed.
The appearance of a growth on the sole of the foot
The main part of the common wart on the foot grows inwards, in the dermis. The reason is that from the outside the tumor is squeezed by hard surfaces: shoes, various coatings on which we walk. New growth cells emerge from the soft tissues of the skin. The picture of the plantar wart shows a thick plaque or roller on the outside. The surface of the formation is devoid of skin lines, consisting of scales of the horny substance. The adjacent skin changes: it becomes thicker, covered with a layer of keratin.
What a plantar wart looks like:
- nodule or plaque raised 1–5 mm above the epidermis;
- shape is round, oval or polygonal;
- the surface is hard and rough to the touch;
- color pink, yellow-white or gray;
- formation diameter from 1 to 20 mm;
- missing papillary pattern;
- edges well defined.
A wart on the foot is characterized by sharp pain that prevents walking, to temporary disability.
Accumulation occurs in areas that are exposed to intense pressure and sweating. Typical localization of the wart on the sole: heel, foot and toe pads. Painful and difficult to remove formations appear on the edge of the nail and under the nail plate. In all types of warts there are blood vessels that feed the living tissues, cells that multiply intensively. Small black dots are visible on the surface - blood clots in the capillaries; they may bleed when the stratum corneum is cut.
Plantar warts are most common in school-age children. In about 30% of patients, such formations disappear on their own in the first year. However, it is recommended that treatment be started when the first symptoms appear, especially if the plantar wart hurts or there is a high risk of infection to others. The infection is also dangerous, when a group of formations appears in one area, individual papules merge into a mosaic plaque.
Wart - manifestation of papilloma virus
The skin of the feet is often damaged, compressed and sweaty when wearing tight and uncomfortable shoes. If thin-walled blisters appear with clear fluid inside, these are calluses. Occasionally a layer of keratin forms on the surface, but typical skin lines remain.
The appearance of a wart on the feet initially goes unnoticed or is perceived as callus formation. It is necessary to look carefully at the surface of the formation and pay attention to the characteristic features. This is severe keratinization, lack of skin lines, soreness when the surrounding skin is compressed. These are the results of the active replication of the papilloma virus in living epithelial cells.
Causes of plantar warts:
- papillomavirus (HPV) infection;
- weakening of local and general immune defenses;
- virus activation, epithelial cell penetration;
- increased proliferation and rapid keratinization of infected cells.
HPV is transmitted through domestic and sexual contact. Infectious agents penetrate even through minor damage to the skin and mucous membranes: cracks, cuts, crying.
Papillomaviruses of types 1, 2, 4, 27 and 57 infect mainly cells located in the skin of the foot. The plantar type of growths of viral origin belongs to simple formations (ordinary, vulgar). According to the International Classification of Diseases, they are infectious and parasitic diseases. ICD-10 class: "Viral infections characterized by lesions of the skin and mucous membranes. "
Simple warts are benign epithelial tumors. They do not initially pose a health hazard. Sometimes such growths undergo a malignant transformation into a cancerous tumor. The process is triggered more often by HPV types for which a high risk of developing cancer has been found.
Treatment of warts on the legs
After infection, the incubation period begins: the papilloma virus invades the cells, "reformatting" their proliferation and development. Much more often the infection becomes latent and in such an inactive state can exist throughout the life of the organism. In this case, the immune system suppresses the papilloma virus, puts it to sleep without special therapy.
Plantar warts can appear 3-10 years later or appear a few weeks after infection and then disappear in the first year or within two years.
Not everyone is ready to wait, relying on spontaneous healing and cleansing of the skin from growths. Many go to the doctor at the first sign of HPV infection. Dermatologists suggest the use of modern methods to remove warts, recommend antiviral therapy, strengthen the immune system of the skin and the whole body.
If it is necessary to determine the type of HPV for an adequate choice of therapy, then the doctor prescribes several additional studies. A biopsy is performed to collect histological material, and an analysis is performed to determine antibodies against the papilloma virus.
Treatment options:
- The use of special drugs for plantar warts. Dissolution and exfoliation of dead cells occurs
- Laser excision of simple neoplasms with scab formation, under which healing takes place. The bark disappears 7-10 days after the procedure.
- Cryodestruction with liquid nitrogen. Large warts are removed in several procedures. When exposed to low temperatures, a bubble appears, as after burning.
- Electrocoagulation using an electrode through which a high frequency current is applied to destroy pathological tissues. Painful procedure accompanied by a strong odor of burning skin.
- Surgical removal.
- Drug injection.
At the beginning of treatment it is recommended to use a special plaster at home. This affordable medicine is used after softening the wart of the foot with warm water, cleaning the keratinized layers with the help of nail scissors and pumice. A patch is then applied. The course of treatment lasts an average of 1-3 months.
Prevent
Papillomaviruses can exist in the environment for a long time. It is necessary to keep your feet clean, not to walk without shoes, especially in public locker rooms, bathrooms, in the pool. It is necessary to use special slippers to protect the feet from contact with surfaces contaminated with foreign skin particles. Also, do not wear other people's socks or shoes.
Do not scratch the wart, otherwise similar growths will appear on other parts of the foot.
Papillomaviruses are extremely contagious. Disinfect daily hygiene accessories and medicines. Socks and towel should be washed thoroughly with hot water, scissors, nail file, pumice should be disinfected. Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water after touching education, various medical procedures.