Heel warts are hard and flat formations that are covered with a keratinized layer of the epithelium. To diagnose such a growth, dermatoscopy is performed. Such warts require treatment, as they cause discomfort and injury while walking.
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Why do heel growths appear? Why are they dangerous?
The main reason for the formation of a heel wart is infection with the human papillomavirus. In most cases, these are benign formations. They have a rather deep root, so removal by folk methods can only activate their growth. Injury to the formation will cause the virus to spread to other areas of the skin.
A favorable environment for the papillomavirus is heat and moisture. Most often, infection occurs in the following places:
- gym;
- sauna;
- pool;
- bath.
If a person has a strong immune system, then HPV can stay in his body, but not manifest itself in any way. Signs of infection occur when the immune system is weakened.
Factors that contribute to infection:
- increased sweating or dry feet;
- atherosclerosis;
- diabetes;
- wearing uncomfortable shoes;
- damage to the skin of the feet.
About 80% of the population is infected with the human papillomavirus. It can be transmitted not only by contact-household, but also sexually.
They can grow, thereby causing severe pain when you try to step on your foot. Such formations rarely degenerate into malignant ones, but the risk is present.
The beginning of the tumor process is evidenced by a change in the shape, color and size of the growth. If the first symptoms of rebirth occur, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Methods for treating growths on the heel
The wart on the heel is constantly developing, thereby increasing the chance of injury. To prevent this from happening from the build-up, you should get rid of it in a timely manner.
For this, the patient undergoes a medical examination, and only then the doctor prescribes treatment. Recommended drug treatment and physiotherapy or hardware exposure.
In especially neglected cases, traditional surgical intervention is prescribed. Traditional medicine methods can be used as ancillary and only after consultation with a specialist.
Medical
Treatment of heel warts is carried out by pharmaceutical agents. Such therapy will be effective only if the growth has just appeared and is small in size.
If used incorrectly, you may get burned. Effective drugs:
- Aldara cream . The drug does not have a direct antiviral effect. The effect of its use is due to the induction of interferon alpha . The medicine should be used three times a week. With daily use, the duration of treatment is 4 months.
- Isoprinosine . It is an immunomodulator. It is available in the form of tablets and oral solution.
- Kondilin . The drug has a cytotoxic effect that stops the division of pathogenic cells.
- Podophyllotoxin . The product is available in the form of a solution for topical use. It causes necrotic changes in the visible part of the papilloma.
Self-administration of drugs can cause serious complications. Before prescribing a medication, the doctor collects tests, while he takes into account the individual characteristics of the patient’s body.
Surgical and chemical removal
Surgical removal is prescribed if the human papillomavirus infects a large area. This is a small and simple surgical intervention, which is performed under the influence of local anesthesia.
Advantages of the technique:
- the ability to perform surgery in any clinic;
- no need to use special devices and tools;
- collection of material for histology.
This is the most traumatic way to remove. It requires quite a long rehabilitation.
Sometimes the doctor prescribes the use of an ointment with the appropriate composition. A special agent is applied to the papilloma, which causes local coagular necrosis.
Such cauterization should be carried out once a week. The duration of therapy is 5–6 weeks. Scarring and secondary infections are very rare. The downside is the risk of burning healthy tissue areas.
Folk methods
Alternative methods can be used for treatment only after consultation with a specialist. It is recommended to do foot baths, which will help soften the growth. For cooking, you can use the following components:
- laundry soap;
- baking soda;
- decoctions of medicinal herbs;
- dairy products.
A good effect is the use of onion juice. It provokes tissue necrosis. However, such products can cause a severe allergic reaction.
Physiotherapy and hardware procedures
Physiotherapy can be done on an outpatient or inpatient basis. Devices for carrying out physiotherapeutic effects use electrical, ultrasonic and magnetic energy. The doctor prescribes one of the following procedures:
- electrophoresis;
- shock-wave impact;
- UHF;
- phonophoresis.
To avoid recurrence, it is necessary to eliminate the cause of infection. To remove the build-up, hardware procedures can be performed. The most effective include the following:
- laser photocoagulation;
- cryotherapy;
- electrocoagulation.
Such techniques allow you to remove the build-up. At the same time, the duration of recovery after manipulation is not as long as after surgery. The advantage of hardware exposure is the absence of bleeding, which eliminates re-infection.
Features of therapy in children
The children’s body is quite susceptible to infections, so the growth on the heel of the child will grow quite rapidly.
For the treatment of children, chemotherapy or laser exposure is most often prescribed. It is not recommended to use folk methods, as there is a risk of removing only the top layer, while leaving the root of the growth.
How can relapse be prevented?
To prevent the re-formation of a wart on the heel, you should follow simple rules. Preventive measures:
- In public pools and baths, you should only wear shoes.
- It is necessary to regularly exfoliate the feet and pedicure.
- In the presence of foot deformity, special orthopedic insoles should be used.
- Wearing shoes made from natural materials will help get rid of excessive sweating of the feet.
- With the formation of cracks and dry heels, you need to use nourishing creams.
Often a wart on the heel can be mistaken for a corn or just keratinized skin.
A heel wart brings severe discomfort. At the first sign of infection with the human papillomavirus, you should consult a doctor. If treatment is not started in a timely manner, then there is a risk of malignant degeneration.
