If a papule with a hard and jagged crest appears on the soles of the feet, it is a plantar wart or callus. The differences are important mainly in origin and treatment methods. The wart grows like a sharp prick on the inner layer of the skin of the feet and causes severe pain. Doctors recommend removing this skin swelling if it is damaged and inflamed by the shoe.
The appearance of growth on the sole of the foot
The main part of the common wart on the foot grows into the dermis. This is because the tumor is stuck with hard surfaces from the outside: shoes, various coatings on which we walk. New growth cells emerge from the soft tissue of the skin. In the photo of the plantar wart, a dense plaque or roll can be seen from the outside. The surface of the formation is devoid of skin lines, consists of scales of the horny substance. Adjacent skin changes: becomes denser, covered with a layer of keratin.
What does the plantar wart look like:
- a 1-5 mm raised nodule or plaque above the epidermis; The
- shape is round, oval, or polygon;
- surface is rough and rough to touch;
- color is pink, yellow-white or greyish;
- formation diameter 1 to 20 mm;
- missing papillary pattern;
- edges are well defined.
A wart on the foot is characterized by acute pain that prevents walking until temporary disability.
Accumulation occurs in areas exposed to intense pressure and sweating. Typical localization of the wart on the sole: heels, foot pads and toes. Painful and difficult to remove formations are seen on the edge of the nail and under the nail plate. All types of warts contain blood vessels that nourish living tissues, cells that proliferate densely. Small black dots may appear on the surface - blood clots in capillaries; When the stratum corneum is cut, it can bleed.
Plantar warts are most common in school-age children. In about 30% of patients, such formations disappear spontaneously within the first year. However, it is recommended to initiate treatment when the first symptoms appear, especially if the plantar wart is painful or the risk of infection is high in surrounding people. Infection is also dangerous, when a cluster of formations appears in one area, individual papules merge into a mosaic plaque.
Wart - a symptom of papilloma virus
The skin on the feet is often damaged, compressed and sweaty when wearing tight and uncomfortable shoes. If thin-walled bubbles with a clear liquid appear, they are corns. Sometimes a keratin layer forms on the surface, but typical skin lines still remain.
The appearance of a wart on the sole of the foot is not noticed at first glance or perceived as a callus formation. It is necessary to carefully look at the surface of the formation and pay attention to characteristic signs. This is severe keratinization, absence of skin lines, pain when the surrounding skin is compressed. These are the results of active reproduction of papilloma virus in living cells of the epithelium.
Causes of plantar warts:
- papilloma virus (HPV) infection;
- weakening of local and general immune defense;
- activation of virus, penetration into epithelial cells;
- increased the proliferation and rapid keratinization of infected cells.
HPV is transmitted through domestic and sexual contact. Infectious agents penetrate the skin and mucous membranes even with minor damage: cracks, cuts, weeping.
1. Papilloma viruses of types 2, 4, 27 and 57 predominantly infect cells on the skin of the feet. Plantar types of growths of viral origin belong to simple formations (ordinary, coarse). They are infectious and parasitic diseases according to the International Classification of Diseases. ICD-10 class: "Viral infections characterized by skin and mucous membrane lesions. "
Simple warts are benign epithelial tumors. Initially, they do not pose a health hazard. Sometimes such growths undergo malignant transformation into a cancerous tumor. The process is mostly triggered by HPV types with a high risk of developing cancer.
Foot warts treatment
After infection, the incubation period begins: the papilloma virus invades the cells, "reforming" 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. In this case, immunity suppresses the papilloma virus, putting it into sleep mode without special treatment.
Plantar warts can appear after 3-10 years or a few weeks after infection, then disappear within the first year or two.
Not everyone is ready to wait, relying on the self-healing and cleansing of the skin from growths. Most go to a doctor at the first sign of HPV infection. Dermatologists recommend using modern methods to eliminate warts, recommend means for antiviral therapy, strengthen the immune system of the skin and the whole body.
If the type of HPV needs to be determined for an adequate treatment option, the doctor will recommend several additional studies. A biopsy is performed to collect histological material, an analysis is performed to identify antibodies against papilloma virus.
Treatment options:
- The use of special drugs for plantar warts. The dissolution of dead cells and exfoliation occurs.
- Laser excision of simple neoplasms with the formation of a crust under which healing occurs. The scab disappears 7-10 days after the procedure.
- Cryodestruction with liquid nitrogen. Large warts are removed in a few procedures. When exposed to low temperatures, a bubble appears, as after combustion.
- Electrocoagulation using an electrode through which high frequency current is applied to destroy pathological tissues. Painful procedure accompanied by a strong burning skin odor.
- Surgical removal.
- Drug injection.
It is recommended to use a special cast at home at the beginning of the treatment. This affordable remedy is used after softening the wart on the feet with warm water and removing it from keratinized layers using nail scissors and pumice. A patch is then applied. The treatment process takes 1-3 months on average.
Prevention
Papilloma viruses can stay in the environment for a long time. Especially in public dressing rooms, bathrooms and pools, feet should be kept clean and they should not go without shoes. Special slippers should be used to protect the soles of the feet from contact with surfaces contaminated with other people's skin particles. Also, don't wear other people's socks and shoes.
Do not scratch the wart, otherwise similar growths will occur on other parts of the leg.
Papilloma viruses are highly contagious. Disinfect accessories for daily hygiene and pharmaceutical applications. Socks and foot towels should be washed thoroughly with hot water, scissors, nail file, pumice stone should be disinfected. Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water after training, touching various medical procedures.