If a hard and rough papule with a rough top appears on the soles of the feet, then this is either a plantar wart or a callus. The differences are significant, primarily in the origin and methods of treatment. The wart grows like a sharp thorn in the inner layer of the skin of the foot, which causes severe pain. Doctors recommend removing this skin swelling if it gets damaged by shoes and becomes inflamed.
The appearance of the outgrowth on the sole of the foot
The main part of the common wart on the foot grows inward, into 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 appear from the soft tissue of the skin. In the photo of the plantar wart, a dense plaque or roller is visible from the outside. The surface of the formation is devoid of skin lines, consists of scales of the horny substance. The adjacent skin changes: it becomes denser, covered with a layer of keratin.
What a plantar wart looks like:
- a nodule or plaque raised above the epidermis by 1–5 mm;
- shape is round, oval or polygonal;
- surface is hard and rough to the touch;
- color pink, yellow-white or grayish;
- formation diameter from 1 to 20 mm;
- papillary pattern missing;
- edges well defined.
A wart on the foot is characterized by acute pain that interferes with walking, up to temporary disability.
A build-up occurs in areas that are exposed to intense pressure and perspiration. Typical localization of the wart on the sole: heels, pads of the foot and toes. Painful and difficult to remove formations appear at the edge of the nail and under the nail plate. Inside all types of warts there are blood vessels that feed 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-aged children. In about 30% of patients, such formations go away on their own within the first year. However, it is recommended to start treatment when the first symptoms appear, especially if the plantar wart hurts, or there is a high risk of infection of the surrounding people. Infection is also dangerous, when a group of formations appears in one area, individual papules merge into a mosaic plaque.
Wart - a manifestation of the papilloma virus
The skin on the feet is often damaged, compressed and sweaty when wearing tight and uncomfortable shoes. If thin-walled blisters with a clear liquid inside appear, then these are corns. Sometimes a layer of keratin forms on the surface, but even so, the typical skin lines remain.
The appearance of a wart on the soles of the feet at first goes unnoticed or is perceived as the formation of a callus. It is necessary to carefully look at the surface of the formation and pay attention to the characteristic signs. This is severe keratinization, absence of skin lines, soreness when the surrounding skin is compressed. These are the results of the active reproduction of the papilloma virus in living cells of the epithelium.
Causes of plantar warts:
- papilloma virus (HPV) infection;
- weakening of local and general immune defenses;
- activation of the virus, penetration into epithelial cells;
- increased multiplication and rapid keratinization of infected cells.
HPV is transmitted through household and sexual contact. Infectious agents penetrate even through minor damage to the skin and mucous membranes: cracks, cuts, weeping.
Papilloma viruses of the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 27th and 57th types predominantly infect 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 malignant transformation into a cancerous tumor. The process is more often triggered by HPV types for which a high risk of developing cancer is established.
Foot wart treatment
After infection, the incubation period begins: the papilloma virus invades cells, “reformatting” their reproduction and development. Much more often, the infection becomes latent and in such an inactive state it can exist throughout the life of the organism. Immunity in this case suppresses the papilloma virus, puts it into sleep mode without special therapy.
Plantar warts may appear 3-10 years later or appear several weeks after infection, then disappear in the first year or within two years.
Not everyone is ready to wait, counting on spontaneous healing and cleansing of the skin from growths. Many go to the doctor at the first sign of HPV infection. Dermatologists suggest using modern methods of removing warts, recommend means for antiviral therapy, strengthening the immune system of the skin and the whole body.
If for an adequate choice of therapy it is necessary to establish the type of HPV, then the doctor prescribes several additional studies. A biopsy is performed to collect histological material, an analysis is performed to determine antibodies to the papilloma virus.
Treatment options:
- The use of special medications for plantar warts. Dissolution and exfoliation of dead cells occurs.
- Laser excision of simple neoplasms with the formation of a scab, under which healing takes place. The crust 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 a burn.
- Electrocoagulation using an electrode through which a high frequency current is applied to destroy pathological tissues. Painful procedure accompanied by a strong smell of burning skin.
- Surgical removal.
- Drug injection.
At the beginning of treatment, it is recommended to use a special plaster at home. This affordable remedy is used after softening the wart on the foot with warm water, cleansing it from the keratinized layers using nail scissors and pumice. Then a patch is applied. The course of treatment lasts on average 1–3 months.
Prevention
Papilloma viruses can persist in the environment for a long time. It is necessary to keep the feet clean, do not go without shoes, especially in public locker rooms, bathrooms, in the pool. It is necessary to use special slippers to protect the soles of the feet from contact with surfaces contaminated with particles of other people's skin. Also, do not wear other people's socks and shoes.
Do not scratch the wart, otherwise similar growths will appear on other parts of the leg.
Papilloma viruses are extremely contagious. Disinfect accessories for daily hygiene and medication applications. Socks and a towel for feet should be thoroughly washed with hot water, scissors, a nail file, pumice stone should be disinfected. Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water after touching education, various medical procedures.