Warts on the skin are hard to miss. They look like neoplasms on the stem, towering above the surface of the epidermis. There are many ways to remove such rashes. However, not everyone is aware of subcutaneous warts. They look like rough or keratinized formations of a flat shape. Patients often take such papillomas as corns, since they often form on the feet. Removing such warts is sometimes difficult, as their roots go deep into the skin.
Causes
All types of warts, including subcutaneous, occur as a result of activation of the human papillomavirus (HPV). This pathogen is present in the body of most people and is transmitted through contact with an infected person or through household items.
However, not every infected person has subcutaneous warts and other types of papillomas. The virus can be inactive for a long time in the body. It shows its pathogenic properties only with a sharp decrease in immunity, which can be triggered by the following factors:
- hypothermia;
- stress
- past colds;
- exacerbation of chronic pathologies;
- endocrine disorders;
- vitamin deficiency.
Warts under the skin often occur in people with excessive sweating or working in wet conditions. Poor hygiene, the presence of wounds and cracks in the epidermis also contribute to the activation of HPV. Subcutaneous warts on the hands often appear in children who have a bad habit of biting their nails.
Some strains of papillomavirus are oncogenic. However, warts under the skin cause non-hazardous HPV types.
Types of neoplasms
Subcutaneous warts are divided into subungual and plantar. The first kind of papillomas is formed on the fingers and toes. Such formations usually do not cause a person special inconvenience. Most often, the patient is only concerned about the unaesthetic appearance of the fingers. However, subcutaneous warts on the fingers without treatment can lead to complications. Cracks appear on the nails over time, through which bacteria can penetrate. This can cause the destruction of the nail plate.
Plantar warts appear on the foot. In this case, the virus most often enters the skin through wounds. Such papillomas cause the patient many inconveniences when walking, especially if they are located on the heel. After all, a person constantly has to step on this area of the leg. The appearance of subcutaneous warts on the foot is often accompanied by itching, pain and burning. Sometimes papillomas grow so much that it becomes difficult for a person to wear shoes.
Appearance
Warts located under the skin look like growths on the outside. Rashes on the fingers and feet differ in appearance.
The subungual warts look like flat, rough outgrowths in the form of a hemisphere. They are located either near the nails or under the nail plate. Such papillomas do not have deep roots under the skin. They can grow and merge into a single tumor. The appearance of the subcutaneous wart on the finger can be seen in the photo below.
Plantar warts are often confused with corns. These neoplasms look like keratinized growths. They have a reddish color with a yellow spot in the middle. Their roots go deep under the skin. When pressing on the growth, the patient feels pain. A photo of a subcutaneous wart on the sole can be seen below.
Complications
Are such tumors dangerous? Subungual papillomas can lead to the appearance of pustules on the fingers due to the joined bacterial infection. In the future, destruction of the nail plate is possible.
Subcutaneous warts on the legs tend to spread. Their root grows into the deeper layers of the epidermis, which leads to damage to healthy areas. As a result, more and more warts are formed on the foot. A person experiences serious difficulties and pain when walking.
Malignant degeneration of such neoplasms is rare. In a person with normally functioning immunity, the growth of subcutaneous warts stops. However, with a decrease in the body's defenses and the absence of treatment, malignancy (malignancy) of papillomas cannot be excluded.
Diagnostics
The main method for diagnosing subcutaneous warts is dermatoscopy. The doctor examines the neoplasm using a special device. Before this, it is necessary to remove the layer of keratinized cells from the wart. If there is no skin pattern in the affected area, then this is a confirmation of the diagnosis.
Scraping of keratinized tissues is sent for PCR analysis. If HPV is found in the analysis, then this also indicates a diagnosis.
With plantar warts, an ultrasound of the foot is performed. This helps to determine how deep the tumor has grown under the skin.
Medicines
Such neoplasms are usually treated with surgical methods. However, often after removal of the papillomas grow again. Therefore, surgical treatment of subcutaneous warts must necessarily be combined with the use of local ointments. This helps to suppress the activity of the virus.
The following drugs are prescribed:
- Imiquimod
- interferon ointment;
- oxolinic ointment.
These agents increase interferon production and fight HPV. They treat the affected area at night. If subcutaneous warts on the feet are treated, then the soles of the legs must first be steamed well. This will contribute to better absorption of the drug.
Local drugs that directly affect neoplasms are also prescribed:
- Ferezol;
- Collomac
- Verrucacid.
These drugs cauterize warts and contribute to their resorption. Such treatment can help with small papillomas.
Chemical removal
Some patients, fearing the prompt removal of warts, try to independently remove them using aggressive chemical solutions (Perhydrol and Podophyllinum). However, only a doctor can carry out such a procedure. Preparations for the chemical removal of papillomas can cause severe skin burns. This method can only be effective for small warts. In addition, after chemical removal, a rather large percentage of relapses is noted.
Cryodestruction
This is a fairly effective method for removing subcutaneous warts. Relapses during cryodestruction are practically not observed. The tumor is affected by liquid nitrogen. Under the influence of low temperatures, the structure of the papilloma is destroyed. A small bubble forms at the site of the affected area. This place must be treated with disinfectants for 7-14 days.
Then the skin heals completely and there is no trace of the procedure. After cauterization, immunomodulators may be required. In this way, plantar warts are most often removed. In this case, the stratum corneum of the skin on the growth is removed before cryodestruction. This contributes to a deeper penetration of liquid nitrogen and the destruction of the root.
Laser therapy
Laser therapy is the most gentle method of removing growths. The whole procedure takes only a few seconds. In this case, it is not necessary to remove the upper layer of keratinized skin, since the laser beam penetrates to the required depth and destroys the root of the tumor.
The effectiveness of this method is approaching 100%, there are practically no relapses. Usually the skin condition is normalized within 7 days. Laser therapy is often used to treat warts in children, as this is the most painless method.
Photochemotherapy
This method can also be called sparing. It has practically no contraindications. A special cream is applied to the neoplasm, which facilitates the penetration of light rays. Then the growth is affected by a beam of ultraviolet radiation.
The disadvantage of this treatment method is its duration. It will take at least 3 weeks to get rid of warts.
Electrocoagulation
The growths are removed using a special loop under high-frequency current. This procedure requires local anesthesia. After removal of growths, traces may remain on the skin. Electrocoagulation is used quite rarely in the treatment of warts with a root under the skin. This method helps to get rid of only small formations with a shallow root. With overgrown warts, electrocoagulation is ineffective.
Surgical excision
Surgical excision is used when warts are located under the nails and in advanced cases of plantar tumors. The growths are removed under local anesthesia with a scalpel. With subungual papillomas, it is necessary to remove the nail.
Such an operation requires a fairly long recovery period. In addition, after surgical excision, scars always remain.
In approximately 30% of cases, relapses of warts occur. This is due to the fact that it is not always possible to completely remove the subcutaneous root. Therefore, most patients require additional treatment with antiviral drugs.
Folk methods
Is it possible to get rid of growths on the fingers and feet using folk recipes? Dermatologists do not recommend treating large warts with such agents. After all, if the neoplasm has a deep root, it cannot be destroyed at home.
With small warts, you can use garlic. This vegetable has bactericidal properties and is able to act on viruses. On neoplasms, you can apply gruel from garlic. But this tool can only help in the initial stage. If the growth has become covered with a layer of keratinized cells, then using such a recipe is useless.
You can try applying nail polish to the wart, and then close the affected area with plastic wrap. A greenhouse effect is created, in such conditions, the growth quickly dies. Lacquer chemicals can destroy the wart root. Such a tool can be used for no more than 2 weeks. It is contraindicated in people with allergies to nail polish.
Prevention
How to prevent the growth of growths on the feet and fingers? Since their main reason is the activity of papillomavirus, it is necessary to strengthen your immunity. The pathogen usually penetrates the skin through minor lesions. Therefore, any wounds on the soles and fingers should be regularly treated with antiseptics. Barefoot walking should be avoided, as this often causes injuries and skin infections.
When in a sauna, public shower or pool, sandals should be worn. Do not wear other people's shoes on bare feet. It must be remembered that the human papillomavirus is extremely contagious and can persist for a long time on clothing and household items.