The plantar wart is a rather unpleasant growth on the skin, which creates some inconvenience, causing pain when walking. Pathology is contagious and affects all age categories. In another way, they are called sponges or benign dermis. It provokes the appearance of human papillomavirus, abbreviated HPV. In some cases, these seemingly harmless formations can cause disability and serve as a reason to contact a doctor for surgical treatment.
What the warts on the feet look like
A plantar wart forms on the sole, heel, or on the line of the metatarsophalangeal joints. The size varies from 2 to 20 millimeters, they protrude slightly above the dermis and have an oval or round shape, and practically do not differ from other growths. They are arranged in groups or singly. On the growth, the appearance of a yellowish tint, in addition, can be deeply pressed into the skin. For this reason, they are covered with a stratum corneum, and the patterns at the location of the outgrowth change.
When pressed, the feet are painful. In case of removal of the stratum corneum or trauma, blood inclusions appear on the wart, as the capillaries that nourish it are damaged. Plantar wart growth occurs deep into the skin. As a result, the growth increases, and new tongues appear. If left untreated, they cause pain when walking. The appearance of the feet looks unattractive. In some cases, disappear on their own.
Plantar wart: causes of formation
The main reason for their appearance is contact with a certain type of human papillomavirus, which does not degenerate into malignant neoplasms. Many people carry it, but an individual becomes ill only under certain circumstances, for example, a disorder of the nervous system, immunodeficiency, and sweating in the legs. Transmission is through contact of unprotected skin with an object on which virus particles can remain for several months or with an individual carrier. A humid environment contributes to a more rapid infection that occurs through cuts or microcracks of the dermis when walking without special shoes in locker rooms, swimming pools, public toilets or on dirty soil. The virus penetrates deep into the skin. The incubation period lasts several weeks or months. Most of all, this pathology affects children in connection with an underdeveloped immune system. Once in the body, the virus may not manifest itself for years. However, mental trauma, stress, illness, i.e., weakening of the body's defenses, gives rise to the formation of warts. A provoking factor is tight and uncomfortable shoes.
Diagnosis and signs of warts on the feet
For diagnosis, a visual examination of the feet and other parts of the body, which is carried out by a dermatologist, is enough. The selection of specific therapy is not required, therefore, particles of the wart are not sent for analysis. However, if it becomes necessary to choose a method for its destruction, then they take a scraping from the surface of the growth and conduct its laboratory research.
The root of the plantar wart goes deep into the tissue, when walking, pressure is exerted on it and the pain receptors located under it are compressed. As a result, pain occurs. Of the main symptoms, the following can be distinguished:
- the appearance of growths on the sole of the foot;
- small thickening visually resembling calluses;
- there is pain when walking and wearing uncomfortable shoes;
- the color of the dermis at the growth site changes to yellowish.
At the initial stage of infection, growths on the sole of the foot are smooth and fleshy, painless seals. Further, when you click on the affected area, pain appears, which intensifies when walking or any other touch. After a short period, another so-called daughter formation is formed or a whole colony of growths appears, which give its owner a lot of inconvenience.
Treatment by folk methods
Treatment of plantar warts at home can begin with proven recipes of traditional medicine:
- Onion. Mix a small piece of onion, ground into gruel, with vinegar. Apply the mixture before bedtime to the wart, while covering the healthy dermis with a band-aid to prevent burns.
- Horseradish or garlic. The mixture is prepared similarly to the previous recipe.
- Celandine. For fifteen days, the sap plants lubricate the affected area several times a day.
- Nettle. This plant is used in the presence of a colony of warts. Shredded or ground leaves are laid out on a clean burdock leaf and tied to the infected area.
- Lemon. Based on vinegar and fruit skins, a tincture is prepared, which is treated with a wart up to three times a day, while protecting a healthy dermis with a band-aid.
Regardless of the selected recipe, treatment of a plantar wart at home will be more effective if you previously make a foot bath with soapy water and sodium bicarbonate. The advantage of these recipes is the ease of preparation and the absence of contraindications for use. However, if within two weeks there is no result, you should consult a doctor who will recommend other methods of removing plantar warts.
Drug treatment
You can remove warts at home not only by folk methods, but also with special medicines. Before using them, course treatment is carried out aimed at softening the stratum corneum of the surface of the growth. For this purpose, bactericidal or corn patches are used for several days. Next, they go directly to the treatment of herpes.
The main substance that is part of the drug has a destructive effect on the structure of the wart tissue:
- Alcoholic solution of salicylic acid. Use in the form of a compress, which is applied to the affected area twice a day. The drug is sold in a pharmacy without a doctor’s prescription.
- Salicylic ointment. From plantar warts is considered one of the most effective remedies. Apply at night to the tongues and secure with a bandage. In the morning, softened areas of the wart are removed. The manipulation is repeated until the growth completely disappears.
- Oxolinic ointment. It is applied similarly to the previous one.
- Cytostatics. Apply preparations based on 5-fluorouracil, colchamin ointment, Podophyllinum solution.
During therapy, it is recommended to take vitamin preparations to maintain and strengthen the immune system.
How plantar warts are derived
In addition to the folk and drug method of fighting with herpes, other, no less effective, instrumental methods are used:
- Electrocoagulation The painful growth is removed with a special electric scalpel. After manipulation, small wounds and scars remain on the dermis. For deep growths, this method is not suitable.
- Radio wave removal. This is a high-tech manipulation. Ultrasonic frequencies act on the tongue and destroy it, there are no scars on the dermis.
- Surgical treatment of plantar warts is also possible. Removal is performed under local anesthesia in a hospital. The growth is scraped out with a special medical product - Volkman's spoon. The postoperative period is long and painful.
- Cryodestruction. The principle of action is to freeze the growth with liquid nitrogen and its subsequent removal. The procedure lasts about a minute, but is rather painful. After manipulation, a small blister forms. He needs careful care, the details of which the doctor will tell.
- Laser removal of plantar warts. This method has been widely used. It acts pointwise and painlessly, only the tissue affected by the virus is eliminated. Until the wound heals completely, the damaged dermis is treated with an antiseptic or a disinfectant.
The use of the above methods of removal of herpes often complement local therapy. For this purpose, use antiviral agents in the form of ointments and subcutaneous injections. As a result, the risk of relapse is significantly reduced, and treatment effectiveness is increased.
Wart Prevention
As preventive measures for the formation of plantar warts should:
- wear comfortable shoes in size, preferably made of natural materials;
- carefully treat injuries or injuries of the feet with antiseptics;
- treat foot sweating;
- do sport;
- do not walk barefoot in pools, baths;
- observe the rules of personal hygiene;
- take vitamins;
- strengthen the immune system.
Warts on the feet of children
Growths are quite often observed in children. The plantar wart in a child can exist for a long time, and when the body grows older it disappears without a trace. This phenomenon is associated with immunity, which independently copes with the human papilloma virus, which provoked the growth. In some babies, the disease progresses. In this case, several warts form. The most common causes of their occurrence:
- trauma of the dermis;
- stress;
- sweating feet;
- uncomfortable shoes;
- weak immunity.
A dermatologist is involved in the diagnosis and removal of growths. In order not to confuse the wart with other skin problems, the doctor can conduct dermatoscopy. As a result, the upper epithelial layer is removed and black dots, which are clogged capillaries, are clearly visible. In some cases, with a plantar wart in the child, an ultrasound is prescribed to find out how deeply they have grown inside. One of the very first signs of a build-up is the formation on the foot of a small seal with clear boundaries, which has a smooth structure. Further, a coarse layer of the epidermis appears on the surface of the tongue. Often, the formation is single, however, if the activity of the virus is high, then a whole colony appears. Children have pain when walking, discomfort. Due to the constant friction of the skin of the sole on the shoes, it thickens. Toddlers begin to act up and can’t step on their feet normally.
Treatment and prevention of warts in children
As mentioned above, growths can go away on their own, but in some cases you should seek the help of a doctor. There are several methods for removing plantar warts:
- a laser;
- nitrogen;
- radiation by radio waves.
The above are physical methods. Chemical is the use of medicines containing various alkalis and acids that contribute to the death of the wart's body. Electrocoagulation is rarely used in children's practice. From folk methods use leaves of Kalanchoe, garlic compress, celandine juice.
Preventive measures include:
- wearing shoes made of natural materials;
- the use of orthopedic insoles for the deformation of the baby's foot;
- regular care of the soles of the feet (baths, softening creams);
- rejection of uncomfortable and tight shoes;
- strengthening immunity.
Removal of the wart with liquid nitrogen
The method of burning a plantar wart with liquid nitrogen is based on the principle of cryodestruction, i.e., biological tissue is destroyed under the influence of low temperature. As a result of this, the supply of nutrients and oxygen to the frozen tissue is not carried out. All metabolic processes freeze, and the wart dies. Contraindications to the use of liquid nitrogen are:
- acute infectious conditions;
- allergy to cold;
- if there is a herpes or other viral skin lesion next to the wart;
- high pressure;
- pregnancy;
- epilepsy;
- if rosacea is present in the growth area.
The scheme for removing plantar warts is as follows. The applicator is a wooden stick on which is a cotton tip. It is moistened with nitrogen, applied to the wart for a few seconds. Further, the actions are repeated, and the cauterization period gradually increases, since the growth roots go deep into the skin. Such manipulations are carried out once every five days. The recovery period will also take more than one day. Sometimes a sick leave is required, since pain during walking persists for several weeks, very often it is difficult for patients to step on the foot. For adults, this procedure is tolerable, but the kids will be hurt. This is explained by the fact that there can be several warts, and their roots are deep. In addition, prolonged freezing can cause redness, swelling, and the formation of a small bladder or blister. These phenomena should not be scared, as the doctor will prompt you to deal with them. There are different, but mostly positive, reviews about the method of cryoprotection in the fight against plantar wart, it is very popular. People note that after complete healing, no scars or traces remain. Of course, there are complaints of pain, but each of these sensations is individual.
The best remedies for warts on the foot
The modern pharmaceutical industry produces an extensive range of remedies for plantar warts. Let's try to figure them out. All known drugs can be divided into the following groups:
- The solutions for processing are Verrukatsid, Ferezol, Kollomak, Solkoderm and iodine. All drugs contribute to the softening and exfoliation of the growth, have anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effects. A contraindication to their use is the age of up to three years, individual intolerance of individual components and skin diseases of the foot in the acute period.
- Essential oils of plants: celandine, wormwood, arborvitae, castor, tea tree, ichthyol. They have antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, softening properties. Allergic reactions, pregnancy, childhood - this is a ban on the use of these funds.
- Ointments. Including Vishnevsky, salicylic, based on arborvitae oil, Viferon, Malavit. They are especially effective at the initial stage of therapy. Due to its unique composition, the active substance penetrates the body of the wart and destroys it.
- Tablets: "Isoprinosine", "Lycopid", "Allokin Alpha." Taking antiviral drugs and immunomodulators destroys the virus from the inside, and also reduces the risk of re-infection.
- Patches "Salipod", "Mediplast". In pharmacies, a wide range of anti-wart plasters. They are a sticky plate impregnated with a medicinal product, the main component of which is salicylic acid. Sticky pads soaked with thuja extract are released for pregnant women, they are safe for expectant mothers and the fetus. Before going to bed, a patch is glued to the previously steamed wart and fixed. Salicylic patches are not indicated for children under 12 years of age, pregnant and lactating, with damage to the foot, allergic manifestations of salicylic acid, and chronic kidney disease. Side effects in the form of itching, redness, inflammation and dermatitis are possible.
- Means for home freezing - aerosol “Wartner Cryo”, spray “Maxi Wart”, “CryoPharma”. The last set includes a container with a freezing substance, a holder for the applicator, devices for applying the product to the wart, and detailed instructions for use. It is approved for use in pregnant women and children over four years old.
- Medical pencils with celandine or lapis extract. The main component of a lapis pencil is silver nitrate, which has a necrotizing, anti-inflammatory and bactericidal effect on the dermis.
How to get rid of plantar warts with the help of the above means, tell the doctor (dermatologist), who will select the most effective drug and course of treatment. Self-administration of therapy is fraught with complications and relapse of the disease.