If a hard, rough wheal with a rough top appears on the soles of the feet, then this is a plantar wart or callus. The differences are significant, mainly 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 swelling from the skin if it is damaged by shoes and inflamed.
The appearance of the lump 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 layers on which we walk. New growing cells appear in the skin's soft tissues. In the photo of the plantar wart, a dense plaque or roller is visible on the outside. The surface of the formation is devoid of skin lines, consists of scales of corneal substance. The adjacent skin changes: it becomes more dense, covered with a layer of keratin.
What a plantar wart looks like:
- a nodule or plaque elevated above the epidermis by 1–5 mm; the shape of
- is round, oval or polygonal; the
- surface is hard and rough to the touch;
- pink, yellowish-white or grayish color;
- formation diameter from 1 to 20 mm;
- missing papillary pattern;
- well-defined edges.
A wart on the foot is characterized by acute pain that interferes with walking, even temporary disability.
An accumulation occurs in areas exposed to intense pressure and perspiration. Typical location of the wart on the sole of the foot: heels, foot pads and toes. Painful and difficult to remove formations appear at the edge of the nail and under the nail plate. Within all types of warts, there are blood vessels that feed living tissue, cells that multiply intensely. Small black dots are visible on the surface - blood clots in the capillaries; they can bleed when the stratum corneum is cut.
Plantar warts are more common in school-aged children. In about 30% of patients, these formations disappear on their own in 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 from those around you. The infection is also dangerous, when a group of formations appears in an area, the individual papules fuse 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, uncomfortable shoes. If thin-walled bubbles appear with a transparent liquid inside, then they are calluses. Sometimes a layer of keratin forms on the surface, but even so, the typical skin wrinkles remain.
The appearance of a mole on the soles of the feet goes unnoticed or is perceived as the formation of a callus. It is necessary to carefully observe the surface of the formation and pay attention to the characteristic signs. This is severe keratinization, absence of skin wrinkles, pain when the surrounding skin is compressed. These are the results of active reproduction of the papillomavirus in living cells of the epithelium.
Causes of plantar warts:
- Infection with
- papilloma virus (HPV);
- weakening of local and general immune defenses;
- virus activation, penetration into epithelial cells;
- increased multiplication and rapid keratinization of infected cells.
HPV is transmitted by domestic and sexual contact. Infectious agents penetrate even through minor damage to the skin and mucous membranes: cracks, cuts, crying.
Papillomaviruses of the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 27th and 57th types predominantly infect cells located on the skin of the foot. The plantar type of growth of viral origin belongs to simple formations (ordinary, 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. "
Simple warts are benign epithelial tumors. Initially, they do not pose a health hazard. Sometimes these growths undergo a malignant transformation into a cancerous tumor. The process is most often triggered by types of HPV for which a high risk of developing cancer is established.
Treatment of warts on the feet
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, can exist throughout the life of the organism. Immunity, in this case, suppresses the papilloma virus and puts it on standby without special therapy.
Plantar warts can appear 3-10 years later or several weeks after infection, disappearing within the first year or within two years.
Not everyone is ready to wait, counting on spontaneous healing and cleansing of growth skin. Many go to the doctor at the first sign of HPV infection. Dermatologists suggest the use of modern methods for removing warts, recommend means of antiviral therapy, strengthening the immune system of the skin and the whole body.
If for the proper choice of therapy it is necessary to establish the type of HPV, 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 medicines for plantar warts. Dead cells dissolve and exfoliate.
- Laser excision of simple neoplasms with crust formation, under which healing occurs. The crust disappears 7 to 10 days after the procedure.
- Free destruction 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, cleaning it from the keratinized layers with nail scissors and pumice. Then, a patch is applied. The course of treatment lasts an average of 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 walk barefoot, especially in public changing rooms, bathrooms, by the pool. It is necessary to use special slippers 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 growth will appear on other parts of the leg.
Papilloma viruses are extremely contagious. Disinfect accessories for daily hygiene and medication applications. Socks and a foot towel should be thoroughly washed 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.