If a hard, hard papule with a sharp tip appears on the soles of the feet, then it is either a toe wart or a callus. The differences are significant, mainly in the origin and methods of treatment. Warts grow like a sharp thorn in the inner layer of the skin of the foot, which causes severe pain. Doctors recommend removing the swelling of this skin if it is damaged by shoes and becomes inflamed.
Display the result at the bottom of the foot
The main part of the common leg lesion grows inwards, in the dermis. The reason is that from the outside the tumor is squeezed from hard surfaces: shoes, various clothing 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 roller is visible from the outside. The surface of the formation is free of skin lines, consists of scales of horny substance. Adjacent skin changes: it becomes denser, covered with a keratin layer.
What a toe looks like:
- a nodule or plaque raised above the epidermis by 1-5 mm; the shape
- is round, oval or polygonal;
- the surface is hard and rough to the touch;
- pink, yellow-white or gray color;
- formation diameter from 1 to 20 mm;
- papillary model missing;
- well defined edges.
A foot wart is characterized by acute pain that interferes with walking, up to temporary disability.
A buildup occurs in areas that are exposed to pressure and heavy sweat. Typical localization of the wart on the toe: heel, toe pads and toes. Painful and difficult to remove formations appear on the edge of the nail and under the nail plate. Inside all types of warts there are blood vessels that nourish 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 within the first year. However, it is recommended to start treatment when the first symptoms appear, especially if the plantar warts are sore, or there is a high risk of infecting people around. Infection is also dangerous, when a group of formations appears in an area, the individual papules join into a mosaic tile.
Warts - 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 bubbles appear with a clear liquid inside, then these are corns. Sometimes a layer of keratin forms on the surface, but even so, the typical lines of the skin remain.
The appearance of a wart on the soles of the feet 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 marks. This is severe keratinization, lack of skin lines, soreness when the surrounding skin is tight. These are the results of active reproduction of the papilloma virus in living epithelial cells.
Causes of plantar warts:
- papillomavirus (HPV) infection;
- weakening of local and general immune defenses;
- virus activation, penetration into epithelial cells;
- Increased proliferation and rapid keratinization of infected cells.
Papilloma viruses of types 1, 2, 4, 27 and 57 mainly infect cells located on the skin of the foot. The plantar type of growths of viral origin belongs to the simple formations (common, vulgar). According to the International Classification of Diseases, they are infectious and parasitic diseases. Class ICD-10: "Viral infections characterized by lesions of the skin and mucous membranes".HPV is transmitted through home and sexual contact. Infectious agents also penetrate through small lesions of the skin and mucous membranes: cracks, cuts, tears.
Simple warts are benign epithelial tumors. They do not initially pose a health risk. Sometimes such growths undergo malignant transformation into a cancerous tumor. The process is most often caused by the types of HPVs for which a high risk of developing cancer is placed.
Treatment of foot wart
After infection, the incubation period begins: the papilloma virus invades the cells, "reformat" their reproduction and development. Much more often, the infection becomes latent and in such an inactive state can exist throughout the life of the organism. Immunity in this case suppresses the papilloma virus, puts it in sleep mode without special therapy.
Plantar warts can appear 3-10 years later or appear a few 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 signs of HPV infection. Dermatologists suggest the use of modern methods for removing warts, recommend tools for antiviral therapy, strengthen the immune system of the skin and the whole body.
If for an adequate choice of therapy it is necessary to determine the type of HPV, then the doctor prescribes some additional studies. A biopsy is performed to collect histological material, an analysis is done to determine antibodies to the papilloma virus.
Treatment options:
- Use of special medicines for plantar warts. Distribution and stratification of dead cells occurs.
- Laser incision 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 tissue. Painful procedure accompanied by a strong burning smell of the skin.
- Surgical removal.
- Drug injection.
At the beginning of the treatment, it is recommended to use a special plaster at home. This affordable remedy is used after softening the wart on the feet with warm water, clearing it of keratinized layers using nail scissors and pumice. Then a piece of land 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 your feet clean, do not go barefoot, especially in public locker rooms, bathrooms, swimming pool. It is necessary to use special slippers to protect the soles of the feet from contact with contaminated surfaces with other people's skin particles. Do not wear other people's socks and shoes either.
Do not scratch the wart, otherwise similar growths will appear on other parts of the foot.
Papilloma viruses are highly contagious. Disinfect accessories for daily hygiene and medication applications. Socks and a foot towel should be thoroughly washed with hot water, scissors, a nail holder, pumice stone should be disinfected. Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water after touching education, various medical procedures.