If a hard, rough papule with a rough tip appears on the soles of the feet, then it is either a plantar wart or a callus. The differences are significant, especially in the origin and methods of treatment. The condyloma grows like a sharp thorn in the inner layer of the skin of the foot, which causes severe pain. Doctors recommend removing this swollen skin if it is damaged by shoes and inflamed.
The appearance of growth on the sole of the foot
The main part of the common wart in the foot grows inwards, in the skin. The reason is that from the outside the tumor is compressed 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 plantar wart, a dense plaque or cylinder is visible from the outside. The surface of the formation lacks dermal lines, it consists of scales of the horny substance. Adjacent skin changes: it becomes thicker, covered with a layer of keratin.
What does a plantar wart look like:
- a nodule or plaque that rises 1-5 mm above the skin,
- the shape is round, oval or polygonal.
- the surface is hard and rough to the touch.
- color pink, yellow-white or grayish,
- formation diameter from 1 to 20 mm,
- the papillary pattern is missing,
- well defined edges.
A wart on the foot is characterized by acute pain that prevents walking, up to temporary disability.
An accumulation occurs in areas exposed to intense pressure and sweating. Typical location of the wart on the sole: heels, foot and ankle pads. Painful and difficult to remove formations appear on the tip of the nail and under the nail plate. In all types of warts there are blood vessels that supply living tissues, cells that proliferate strongly. Small black dots are visible on the surface - blood clots in the capillaries. may bleed when the stratum corneum is cut.
Plantar warts are more common in school-age children. In about 30% of patients, such formations disappear on their own within the first year. However, it is recommended that you start treatment when the first symptoms appear, especially if the plantar wart is sore or there is a high risk of infecting people around you. Infection is also dangerous, when a group of formations appears in an area, individual nipples merge into a mosaic plate.
Wart - a manifestation of papillomavirus
The skin on the feet is often damaged, compressed and sweaty when wearing tight and uncomfortable shoes. If thin-walled cells with clear liquid appear inside, then it is corn. Sometimes a layer of keratin forms on the surface, but still the typical lines of the skin remain.
The appearance of a wart on the soles of the feet is not initially perceived or perceived as a callus formation. It is necessary to look carefully at the surface of the formation and pay attention to the characteristic marks. This is severe keratinization, absence of skin lines, pain when the surrounding skin is compressed. These are the results of active papillomavirus replication 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.
Papillomaviruses of the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 27th and 57th types mainly infect cells located in the skin of the foot. The plantar type of viruses of viral origin belongs to simple formations (ordinary, vulgar). According to the international classification of diseases, they are infectious and parasitic diseases. Category ICD-10: "Viral infections characterized by damage to the skin and mucous membranes. "HPV is transmitted through domestic and sexual contact. Infectious agents penetrate even through minor damage to the skin and mucous membranes: cracks, cuts, weeping.
Simple warts are benign epithelial tumors. Initially they do not pose a health risk. Sometimes such growths undergo malignant metamorphosis into a cancerous tumor. The process is most often triggered by HPV types for which there is a high risk of developing cancer.
Treatment of foot warts
After infection, the incubation period begins: the papilloma virus invades the cells, "reshaping" their reproduction and growth. 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 to sleep without special treatment.
Plantar warts can appear 3-10 years later or appear several weeks after infection and then disappear in the first year or within two years.
Not everyone is ready to wait, based on spontaneous healing and cleansing of the skin from the augmentations. Many go to the doctor at the first sign of HPV infection. Dermatologists recommend the use of modern methods of removing warts, suggest means for antiviral therapy, strengthening the immune system of the skin and the whole body.
If it is necessary to determine the type of HPV for an adequate treatment option, then the doctor will prescribe several additional studies. A biopsy is performed to collect histological material, an analysis is performed to determine antibodies against the papilloma virus.
Treatment options:
- The use of special drugs for plantar warts. The dead cells are dissolved and exfoliated.
- Laser resection of simple neoplasms with the formation of a spot, under which the healing takes place. The crust disappears 7-10 days after the procedure.
- Cryodestruction with liquid nitrogen. Large warts are removed by various procedures. When exposed to low temperatures, a blister appears, such as after a burn.
- Electrocoagulation using an electrode through which a high frequency current is applied to destroy abnormal tissues. Painful process accompanied by a strong smell of burning 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 foot with warm water, cleansing the keratinized layers using nail scissors and pumice. Then a patch is applied. The duration of treatment lasts on average 1-3 months.
Prevention
Papillomaviruses can remain in the environment for a long time. It is necessary to keep your feet clean, not to 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 surfaces contaminated with other people's skin particles. Also, do not wear other people's socks and shoes.Papillomaviruses are highly contagious. Disinfect accessories for daily application of hygiene and medication. Socks and a foot towel should be thoroughly washed with warm water, scissors, a nail, pumice should be disinfected. Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water after touching the training, various medical proceduresDo not scratch the wart, otherwise similar growths will appear on other parts of the foot.