Wart on the heel: what to do?

The wart on the heel refers to the plantar warts (verruca plantaris) of the hyperkeratotic type.

Speaking over the surface of the skin, tumor-like densities are commonly called warts. Warts have a different shape, size and location, but they are all neoplasms that arise as a result of abnormal proliferation, that is, an abnormal growth of epithelial tissue cells. The vast majority of these neoplasias are benign.

Causes of warts on the heel

Almost a century ago it was discovered that the appearance of warts, including warts on the heel, is caused by a special non-cellular infectious agent - the human papillomavirus (HPV or HPV) that gets on the skin.

The skin of a person is constantly inhabited by a great many different microorganisms, many of which, in the first place, viruses are the causative agents of a wide range of diseases. In addition to the general immunity of the body, our skin has its own system of protection - skin immunity. It is provided by keratinocytes, intra-epithelial macrophages and epidermal T-lymphocytes (which produce gamma-interferon). At a normal level of immunity, the absence of microtraumas of the skin and any local foci of inflammation, the papilloma virus does not manifest activity, because (like any other virus) it is able to multiply only when it enters a living cell. This virus is contagious and easily transmitted either directly from the sick person, or when using objects of the virus carrier.

The mechanisms by which HPV virions penetrate the stratum corneum and infect viable keratinocytes have not yet been studied enough. And today in clinical medicine it is believed that this occurs with a decrease in the protective function of the body, with hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating of the feet) or existing skin lesions of the sole. In the presence of these circumstances, the papilloma virus is easily introduced into the cells of the basal layer of the epithelium, embedded in the DNA of the nuclei of these cells and begins active self-reproduction, which leads to pathological changes in the skin. From the morphological point of view, the wart on the heel is the proliferative focus of epithelial keratinocytes infected with HPV.

Of the more than 70 genotypes of the papilloma virus to those located on the back of the feet, including on the heels (and also on the inner surface of the palms), the genotypes of HPV-2 and HPV-4 are included. These most common viruses are the main cause of warts on the heel.

Symptoms of warts on the heel

An ordinary (vulgar) wart on the heel is very similar to corn and has the appearance of a horny, rough area of the skin that rises above its surface. The main symptom of warts on the heel - these are dense in structure and dry in consistence growths ranging in size from a few millimeters to two to five centimeters. At the beginning of the formation of the wart on the heel in color does not differ from healthy skin, does not cause any discomfort or pain.

The peculiarity of the defeat of the papilloma virus of the soles of the feet and heels is that the skin here experiences the maximum mechanical effect and has the most developed dense horny layer.

As a rule, the wart on the heel develops not outward, but in the depth of the epithelial tissue, quite insignificantly protruding above the surface of the skin. This complicates the treatment, since the process of spreading the virus and the formation of morphological changes in tissues affects the deeper layers of the epidermis.

At the same time on the inside of the wart there are outgrowths that permeate the upper layers of the epidermis. Dermatologists note such symptoms of warts on the heel as a thickening of the stratum corneum (hyperkeratosis), thickening of the epidermis (acanthosis), as well as disturbance of the processes of keratinization of the epidermis, in particular the cessation of the synthesis of the keratogialin protein, which accumulates in the cells of the granular layer of the epidermis and is the "building material" the main protein of the skin of keratin.

In some cases, a small rounded depression may appear in the center of the lesion. And the appearance of dots of brown or black on the surface of the wart is a sign that blood capillaries are present here.

As the wart develops on the heel, it causes itching, it becomes very painful and makes walking difficult. And its color becomes darker - because of the various foreign particles that are eaten into the surface of neoplasia.

Wart on the heel of the child

In children, the skin is more tender and more damaged than in adults. Therefore, through various scratches, abrasions and abrasions on the heel and foot, the papilloma virus almost freely enters the epidermal cells. Contributes to the emergence of this pathology and uncomfortable or tight shoes of the child. Sources of this virus are literally at every step, and children often run barefoot ...

So the wart on the heel of the child has the same etiology and in many ways similar signs. At the same time, from the moment of infection to the onset of symptoms - in the form of a small yellowish node of a rounded shape - a lot of time can pass.

Then the wart on the heel becomes dirty gray, and its surface is covered with a thick horny layer. Education causes pain, especially when pressing and walking.

Diagnosis of warts on the heel

In most clinical cases, the diagnosis of warts on the heel is based on visual inspection of the affected area of the skin with scraping of the upper stratified layers of the epithelium.

In difficult cases, the dermatologist resorts to dermatoscopy - a study using a dermatoscope. This is a special surface microscope with a 10-fold increase, which makes it possible to clearly see the wart on the heel and to study its structure.

With large warts on the heel, ultrasound may be used to determine the optimal method for removing it to determine the exact depth of neoplasia in the tissue. Ultrasound is also used for the differential diagnosis of warts and keratoderma, a disease in which the natural process of keratinizing the skin is also disturbed.

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Treatment of warts on the heel

Often warts on the heel disappear on their own, as doctors say, their spontaneous regression occurs. However, dermatologists warn: even after the removal of warts on the heel, the recurrence of this disease happens very often, as in the epidermis cells of the human papillomavirus chromosome remains.

What if a wart appeared on the heel? Go to the dermatologist, who will prescribe the treatment.

The purpose of treating warts on the heel is to remove from the patient's heel the proliferative focus of epithelial keratinocytes infected with the papilloma virus. As already noted, the appearance of warts is promoted by a low level of cutaneous and general immunity. For this reason, in medical treatment of the human papillomavirus virus, doctors include the use of immunomodulatory medications.

Wart removal on the heel by non-surgical methods

Removal of the wart on the heel can be done in several ways. The most common method is chemical coagulation, that is, the destruction of pathologically overgrown tissues with the help of their cauterization with chemicals. It is widely used silver nitrate (in the form of a pencil), 10-20% salicylic acid or salicylic patch, concentrated nitric acid, retinoic acid, as well as special preparations.

The pencil is used as follows: the tip of the pencil is wetted in cold water and the wart surface is smeared on the heel - twice during the day. The duration of treatment depends on the size of the lesion.

Salicylic patch - salipod - also contributes to the removal of plantar warts. The heel should be soaked in moderately hot water and wipe dry. From the plaster a circle is cut out, which corresponds to the size of the wart and is glued on it. From above it is recommended to fix with a usual adhesive plaster. After 2-3 days, salipod must be removed, carefully remove the exfoliated skin (do not rip all, and remove only what leaves easily). Then, during the week, three times a day, lubricate the wart with oxolin ointment. If necessary, sticking salicylic patch is repeated several times, and all treatment can last a month and longer.

Cauterizes warts on the heel and a liquid preparation of Feresol, which contains phenol and tricresol (therefore it is not recommended for children). It is necessary to lubricate only the surface of the formation, not allowing liquid to enter the healthy skin. Lubrication is carried out continuously: for 60 minutes, pre-heat the skin on the heel. If from the first time the wart has not disappeared (tearing off the scab is impossible), lubrication is repeated 3-4 times with an interval of 10 days.

Treatment of warts on the heel is carried out with retinoic acid, which is part of 0.05% cream Tretionina. The cream is applied a thin layer on the wart - once a day and is aged for 6 hours, after which it is washed off. In the process, the wart, which is ingrown into the skin of the heel, softens and can be gently removed.

To treat papillomavirus infection, including warts on the heel, Aldara's ointment (Imiquimod) is also used. This drug stimulates the immune system of the skin. The cream should be applied a thin layer on the wart at night (for 6-8 hours) three times a week - every other day. In the morning, the cream is washed off with warm water and soap. This drug specialists are most often recommended for the treatment of warts on the heel of a child.

Removal of wart on the heel by surgical methods

Removal of warts on the heels is done by her scalpel excision - under local anesthesia. A laser or ultrasound may be used.

Very often, the wart on the heel is removed by cryodestruction, that is, destruction by freezing liquid nitrogen. When frozen with liquid nitrogen, the wart pales and becomes dense, and after 1 or 2 minutes it turns red and swells. A few hours after the operation, a blister appears on the wart site, filled with a serous or bloody fluid. The bubble lasts for about a week, and then the liquid in it disappears. The place of freezing is covered with a scab, which completely comes off after about two weeks, and a pink stain remains.

The next method of wart removal on the heel - electrocoagulation under local anesthesia - is considered by dermatologists to be the most effective. The electric current coagulates the pathological tissues of the wart, but does not cause bleeding. Dry crust, which is formed after the procedure, on average after 10 days disappears. A small spot on the site of the former wart will disappear after a while.

How to remove a wart on the heel: alternative methods

In the arsenal of proven alternative remedies for getting rid of warts on the heel - garlic, celandine grass and acetic essence.

Before using garlic, you need to get a wart in the hot water, cut the surrounding skin roller a little and put a slice of garlic on the skin with a cut to the skin, fixing it with a stick-plaster. The procedure is performed before bedtime. The next morning, you need to replace the "old" garlic with fresh. Garlic on the wart will have to be changed daily for at least 15-18 days. The wart takes place within a month, and even a trace from it will not remain.

How to remove the wart on the heel with celandine? To do this, you need a bright orange hot juice of fresh grass. It is enough to smear them with a wart 3-4 times a day, and a month later, as phytotherapists assure, there will be no trace of it.

Removal of the wart on the heel with vinegar essence is as follows.

1 part of the essence should be mixed with 2 parts of wheat flour. In the adhesive plaster, you need to cut a hole - exactly the size of the wart (to protect the surrounding skin from a chemical burn), glue on the heel and spread the wart with the prepared mixture. Top with a piece of patch. The procedure should be carried out twice a day for at least a week.

Prevention of warts on the heel

To date, a person can not completely free himself from the virus of the papilloma. It remains to observe measures to prevent warts on the heel. This means: to lead a healthy lifestyle, maintain their immunity with proper nutrition and physical activity, and take well-balanced multivitamin complexes.

In order not to pick up HPV, it is not necessary, when coming to visit, to put on other people's shoes; When visiting a sauna or swimming pool, you must have your own slippers. It is necessary to adhere to the rules of personal hygiene, and with excessive sweating of the feet do not wear tight shoes and use special products or medicinal herbs (chamomile, calendula, oak bark, St. John's wort - in the form of night trays).

The wart on the heel will be less likely, if you do not allow injury to her skin, and if the slightest damage occurs, treat them with antiseptics.