Plantar warts

plantar warts on the feet

Since the formation is located in the foot, this can cause a painful sensation and injury to the wart itself. For these reasons, the spine must be treated, although there is a small chance the plantar warts will go away on their own without serious treatment.

Unfortunately, it is still not easy to get rid of warts, so it is recommended to consult a dermatologist to reduce the risk of infecting others, as well as to shorten the treatment time of the disease. The use of folk remedies exclusively and independent attempts to get rid of unwanted tumors. Plantar warts have deep roots, which are almost impossible to remove on their own, leading to recurrence. Folk remedies often injure the surrounding tissue, which can lead to an increase in the area of the lesion and unpleasant consequences in the form of burns and scars.

Symptoms

If you suspect the appearance of a neoplasm, you should not only know what kind of plantar warts in the photo, but also remember that the disease has characteristic symptoms:

  • significant itching at the site of formation;
  • the size of the warts is from a few millimeters to 2 centimeters;
  • unlike corns, warts are painful;
  • bleeding when damaged;
  • pain when walking.

If you experience similar symptoms, see a doctor immediately. It is easier to prevent disease than to deal with its consequences.

Causes of plantar warts

Plantar warts occur when the foot is exposed to the human papillomavirus (HPV) virus. The main route of transmission is contact, infection occurs through common objects or directly from person to person. A good environment is warm and humid, so it is important to take precautions when visiting the bath house, swimming pool, sauna and gym.

Weakened immunity can also be the cause of its occurrence, because under normal circumstances human papillomavirus does not give visible manifestations.

Warts of this type can also occur on the microtraum of the epidermis, dry skin, when wearing uncomfortable shoes, hyperhidrosis. Also, the cause of warts on the feet can be diseases that cause deformities of the feet - arthritis of the joints, osteoarthritis, flat feet, as well as diseases that cause violation of the integrity of the skin of the feet: diabetes mellitus, varicose veins. It should be noted that frequent stress can indirectly affect the onset of the disease.

HPV can be found inadvertently while walking barefoot on an infected surface; the virus can live up to several months without an immediate carrier. Once it enters the body, it may not be covered for days or even weeks, which is why it is not impossible to know the exact time of infection.

Diagnostics

To determine how to treat plantar warts, dermatologists perform several studies:

  • general inspection;
  • dermatoscopy;
  • PCR diagnostics;
  • histological examination.

How to cure plantar warts

When plantar warts appear, the question arises how to cure these neoplasms. When his growth is uncomfortable and spreads quickly, the best solution is to see a dermatologist as soon as possible, he will choose the most appropriate treatment option. There are several ways to solve this problem.

The most radical is surgery: the warts and their roots are removed surgically. This method is not the most effective, because the root of the neoplasm is located in the deep layers of the skin. In some cases, it is not possible to remove it completely.

Wart removal can be done using lasers and electrocauteration, as well as cryotherapy.

In addition to removal in medical institutions, plantar warts can be removed by less radical methods, such as ointments, solutions, special plasters, and even folk remedies. These drugs to get rid of plantar warts have several advantages and disadvantages of them, the main of which is the long treatment time.

Removal of plantar warts

One of the most common ways to get rid of plantar warts is to have them removed in a specialized hospital. The dermatologist during the appointment should tell you in detail how to get rid of plantar warts, and, based on the results of the examination, choose the most appropriate method. Although thorns are difficult to cure, there is no specific way to get rid of them; all methods are used that are suitable for treating other types of warts. Plantar warts can be treated outpatiently, but your doctor may prescribe medication to help eliminate the growth at home.

Surgical removal of warts

Surgery is used in conjunction with other treatments to get rid of warts. The warts are scraped with a special scalpel under local anesthesia. After this procedure, if the plantar warts are noticeable, sutures are applied under the skin, which are removed in one to two weeks. The wound site was treated with a disinfectant solution and an aseptic bandage was applied. There are usually small scars at the disposal site.

The difficulty of this method is that during the operation the doctor must remove all its roots, otherwise the plantar warts will appear again. Therefore, this method is used today only if all other methods of treatment turn out to be ineffective.

Removal with liquid nitrogen

Removal with liquid nitrogen indicates exposure of the neoplasm to very low temperatures; this is the most common modern and fastest method of treating plantar warts.

The method is based on the freezing of the formation tissue itself. In fact, in wart cells, under the influence of very low temperatures –196 degrees Celsius, rupture occurs, which causes the death of the wart.

Cryodestruction is performed manually or by hardware. If large warts or procedures are performed on the child, then it is necessary to use local anesthesia, usually novocaine.

The time of direct exposure to liquid nitrogen is up to 30 seconds. After the first moxibusi, the doctor should pause to evaluate the effectiveness of the effect and the need for repeated moxibustion.

After freezing, bubbles with colorless or reddish liquid form at the site of the wart, which indicates the beginning of the inflammatory process. This is a normal reaction to the motility procedure.

Cryodestruction is considered painless, but when treating plantar warts, it must be repeated several times to achieve the final effect. After the warts fall off, there are no scars.

The advantages of liquid nitrogen removal are:

  • coagulation does not include the spread of disease to the immediate skin;
  • lack of special training;
  • short procedure duration;
  • the risk of getting scars or scarring is minimal.

The disadvantages of plantar wart cryodestruction are:

  • the need for repeated courses with large lesion areas or because of wart measurements;
  • human factor - the professionalism of the doctor who performs this procedure is a guarantee of success. Physicians must properly assess the timing and level of nitrogen exposure to tissues, otherwise burns can occur;
  • the discomfort brought on by a swollen bladder and the need to overcome it are also considered disadvantages of this method.

In general, reviews on the treatment of plantar warts with the method of moxibustion with liquid nitrogen are positive, as this is the simplest, most effective and affordable method.

Laser removal

Laser removal is considered one of the most effective and safest techniques. After laser treatment, the warts stop being contagious. The procedure itself is not painful; a special nozzle is inserted into the laser, which cools the place of exposure. In addition, one or more painkiller injections are given before surgery. Patients usually feel a slight tingling during the procedure. After removal of the neoplasm, no trace is left, as the laser burns directly the diseased tissue. The laser method allows maximum control of the depth of exposure, which is individual in each case. Therefore, even with deep tissue lesions, it is possible to remove the roots completely, which means that the regrowth of warts can be prevented.

The operation is performed in a sterile condition, there is no direct contact with the skin or warts, and the duration of the operation is only a few minutes. The positive results of plantar wart removal with the help of laser also make this method the most attractive.

The main disadvantage of laser plantar wart removal is the high cost, which usually includes a doctor’s consultation, anesthesia and the surgery itself. In addition, once removed, the wound heals for a long time and requires hygiene.

Treatment of plantar warts

Before treating plantar warts, you need to make sure the diagnosis is accurate and then proceed to the procedure. In addition to surgery, your doctor may prescribe immunotherapy and topical medications.

The need for immunotherapy, as a rule, is justified, because the disease is caused by a virus, which, when the body becomes weak, actively develops. Local immunotherapeutic agents directly target the virus in two ways. In the first case, the drug stimulates the immune system, and in the second, antigens are injected into the body of the wart, which also activates the immune system, so that the warts can disappear faster.

Treatment of plantar warts takes a long time, it is important not to forget to strengthen the immune system and maintain hygiene. If you don’t do the removal and treatment, the warts can go away on their own for over a year, while someone is a source of infection for everyone around. You should carefully consider this unpleasant disease and be sure to see a dermatologist, who will surely tell you how and how to treat plantar warts.

Treatment of plantar warts directly depends on compliance with all hygiene standards and doctor's prescription, educational daily treatment is a guarantee of successful recovery.

Treatment at home

Any new formation on the skin cannot be ignored, as cancer tensions are on the rise around the world. Do not neglect an appointment with a specialist, he can prescribe treatment for plantar warts at home. In this case, special solutions, ointments, and plasters for warts are usually prescribed.

Ointment is one of the lightest treatment methods; it acts on the wart itself, as a result of which it gradually dies and disappears. The following types of ointments are used in treatment:

  • antivirus ointment;
  • acid -based ointments;
  • various herbal ointments.

Often, salicylic acid ointment and oxolinic ointment are prescribed. All kinds of ointments are applied to the warts several times a day according to instructions. When treating plantar warts, before using the drug, it must be steamed in warm water first. It is best to use the ointment at night so that you do not have to step on the formation and wash the ointment.

To get rid of plantar warts at home, you can use a patch of salicylic acid. This product has a low cost and proven effectiveness. Plaster is sold in pharmacies without a prescription, the principle of its use is very simple - the wart is glued with a piece of plaster, and the usual medical plaster is installed on it. You will need to change patches periodically. It may take two weeks to get rid of small warts, but you can’t leave warts for long periods of time without a patch. As the treatment progressed, the wart area was reduced, after 12 hours it was covered with a crust, which then disappeared. After successful healing, small pink spots remain on the skin, which will disappear completely over time.

Caution should be exercised when using the patch - while applying, you should avoid healthy skin areas, otherwise severe irritation may occur. There are contraindications to using this method to get rid of warts, so the doctor should decide on the appointment of a patch.

Another method of treating plantar warts at home is hyperthermia. Feet affected by warts are soaked in the hottest water. Such a procedure is repeated several times. In some cases, hyperthermia shows a positive effect. The mechanism of the procedure is based on the stimulation of small blood vessels in the legs and the activation of local immunity.

At home, low -temperature treatments can be used, much like wart removal with liquid nitrogen. To do this, you can use a pen or a special applicator spray. Like cryodestruction, several applications may be required.

Treatment with folk remedies

Although modern medicines are much more effective and with its help the process of removing plantar warts is faster, one cannot deny the effectiveness of treatment with folk remedies. Traditional medicine has accumulated a lot of experience in combating warts, and some methods remain effective.

  • Celandine juice is one of the most popular ways to get rid of thorns. You can use the juice of fresh plants or buy a collection with celandine at the pharmacy, which contains, in addition to celandine juice, other herbal extracts. The juice is applied once or twice a day to the affected area.
  • Acetic acid, along with various additional agents, is also used to get rid of warts. In addition to acids, onions and flour are used. You can instill the acid itself directly onto the affected area, but this method is quite dangerous because of the high risk of burns.
  • Apple cider vinegar: a broom soaked in a solution (important not to use undiluted vinegar) is applied to the affected part of the skin, the skin area is first treated with a rough nail file.
  • Garlic is another remedy for treating warts. The formation should be rubbed with raw garlic until completely gone, but this method can be used no more than three weeks.
  • Banana peel is applied internally to the affected skin area, believed to be able to remove warts.

To determine the location of the lesion and not to touch nearby tissue, you can use a piece of adhesive. A hole is made in it the size of a neoplasm, and the adjacent healthy skin remains intact. This prevents burns and other injuries.

Plantar warts in children

With age, a person becomes immune to HPV, so children and young people are more susceptible to this infection. Most often, the disease affects children five years of age and older. A doctor will help you identify plantar warts in a child, because in some cases, they may resemble old calluses.

Even if plantar warts in children disappear on their own, you can not ignore their treatment, keeping in mind the possibility of infecting the whole family and people around them. Plantar warts in children almost always cause painful discomfort when walking, therefore, require immediate treatment and a visit to the doctor. Our services contain proven pediatric dermatologists and reviews about them, from which you can choose a good specialist for your child.

Because children are sensitive to pain, it is difficult to find therapy. For starters, you should use a variety of ointments - they are affordable, easy to use and effective. Folk remedies are also widely used, in undoubted safety.

Effective methods to get rid of plantar warts in children are liquid nitrogen and laser removal. Getting rid of warts using this method is one of the most radical methods. They are used when solutions and ointments do not give the desired effect.

After healing, it is important not to forget the prevention of plantar warts in children. This strengthens the body’s immune system, maintains thorough hygiene and wears proper and comfortable shoes. Keep in mind that the risk of infection is very high in public places and from others, so you need to make sure that the child is not walking with other people’s shoes or barefoot. All items in direct contact with the formation must be washed clean at high temperatures. All these actions will help prevent the development of the virus in the future.

Danger

If the plantar wart removal procedure is not done in a timely manner, this can lead to serious consequences, such as:

  • the appearance of warts on other areas of the skin;
  • skin cancer.

Doctors strongly advise not to self -medicate - cutting, piercing, or burning the warts will worsen the condition and lead to the formation of new warts.

Risk groups

The risk groups are:

  • people with hormonal disorders in the body;
  • Infected with HIV.

Prophylaxis

For the prevention of plantar warts, patients are advised to:

  • strengthen immunity;
  • eat more vitamin -rich foods;
  • take care of the skin of the feet properly;
  • do not wear tight shoes, shoes made of synthetic materials;
  • in public places (dressing rooms, showers) do not walk barefoot.