Plantar warts. Causes, treatment of pathology

12 January 2021

Plantar wartsPlantar wartsare benign growths of epithelial cells in the form of small growths caused by the human papillomavirus. These manifestations are localized directly to the supporting areas of the foot or toes.

Interesting facts:

According to statistics, the manifestation of plantar warts is most often observed between the ages of 20 and 30 years.
In most cases (more than 50%) plantar warts can heal on their own without any treatment.
According to various sources, the carriers of HPV (human papilloma virus) are 70 to 90 percent of the world's population.
Plantar warts are commonly called "ridge". This interpretation is accompanied by thorns, which are painful to tread.
Most all types of HPV affect the skin.

Causes of warts

A wart is a viral skin disease caused by the human papilloma virus.

There are about a hundred types of this virus. They can enter the human body and do not show themselves for a long time, thanks to such protective properties of the body as:

;
phagocytosis (is a nonspecific defense reaction of the body, which is that when a pathological agent enters the body, phagocytes surround it and destroy it).

The risk of contracting human papillomavirus depends on the following factors:

virus activity in a human carrier;
contact type (direct or indirect contact);
the immune status of an infected person.

70 - 90% of people are carriers of the human papillomavirus, however, whether or not a wart occurs depends on the immune status. People whose body's resistance is reduced are more prone to developing warts. Also, the risk of developing warts increases in cases when the body is affected by adverse factors (for example, stress, fatigue, insomnia, poor hygiene), which lead to a weakening of the immune system.

Papilloma virus can be contracted by contact with a person with warts, for example, through a handshake, common items (towels, slippers);

There are the following predisposing factors for human papillomavirus infection:

sweating of the feet (the skin becomes looser, and the penetration of various infections through it is facilitated);
washing, frequent cleansing (frequent skin irritation with various detergents destroys the skin's protective barrier and, thus, facilitates the penetration of the virus)
microtrauma of the skin or mucosa (cracks, scratches, abrasions are the gateway for the infection to enter the body);
uncomfortable tight shoes that provoke rubbing of the skin of the foot (calluses, scratches are also a gateway for infection to enter the body);
diseases that lead to malnutrition of the foot epithelium (for example, diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis);
virus infection can occur through pedicure tools (if the equipment is not disinfected);
baths, saunas or public swimming pools (places where feet come in direct contact with an infected floor surface possibly).

Human skin is made up of epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous fat. Human papilloma virus, penetrating the skin tissue, affects the basal layer of the epidermis. Then, as they multiply, the virus-affected cells rise through all the layers of the epidermis and localize to the superficial layer of the epithelium, appearing as rough, keratinized skin on the outside.

human papilloma virus

HPV is an infection from the papovavirus family that infects the mucosa of the organs (usually the genitals) as well as the epithelial cells of the skin. The papilloma virus contains DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), which, when introduced into a cell of the human body, provokes it to produce new virus particles.

All types of HPV can be roughly divided into two groups:

papillomatous viruses with oncogenic properties;
papillomaviruses that do not have oncogenic properties.

Note:oncogenic properties contribute to the formation of malignant tumors.

Today there are more than a hundred species of human papillomavirus. Plantar warts are usually caused by the first type of HPV, in some cases their formation can provoke the second and fourth type (non-oncogenic papyrus viruses).

HPV is usually found in anyone who has sex. Every eight out of ten people are infected with this virus. Of all the types of HPV, 6, 11, 16 and 18 are distinguished as the most dangerous. It is these types of HPV that can cause papillomas, condyloma and cancer.

Symptoms and what warts on the legs look like

Human virus papyrus, penetrating tissue, may be in a passive or active state.

The passive state is characterized by the fact that the virus, being in the basal layer of the epidermis, multiplies slowly, not reaching the corneal layer of the epithelium, therefore, this condition does not appear from the outside.
An active condition is characterized by the fact that the virus is actively developing and, rising to the upper layers of the epidermis, manifests itself with numerous symptoms.

Most warts are light brown or yellowish-white.

Feature	Zbehet në	Foto
*Glossy surface*	Initially, the plantar fascia appears as a shiny plaque, then its surface is keratinized, becoming rougher and rougher.
*Dimensions*	The warts of the foot are one to two centimeters in size and rise above the surface of the epithelium by one to three millimeters. Most often, the warts are oval or round. There is also the concept of mother and daughter warts. The mother wart appears first and is the largest; as a rule, smaller warts can form around it. Over time, mother and daughter warts can coalesce together to form large lesions.
*grief*	The plantar wart is located on the foot, which carries most of the weight. The wart is compressed between the foot and the bone, causing the surrounding tissue to harden. These warts, in most cases, are very painful due to the fact that the warts can compress the nerves in the legs, causing pain while walking.
*Ngjyra*
*Black dots*	If the stratum corneum is removed from the surface of the wart, dark spots may appear on the bed of the affected area, which are formed due to the fact that the bleeding capillaries in this area are thrombosed. This feature is a distinctive feature of plantar warts and corns.

Removing sole warts

There are now many effective and safe treatments for plantar warts. However, it should be noted that in some cases, reliable removal of the lesion is complicated by the fact that the human papilloma virus penetrates the deeper layers of the epidermis (to the basal layer).

Treatment of a wart is necessary if:

it hurts;
the wart is in the blood;
large wart;
the color of the warts is uneven (for example, spots appeared on it);
there is a rapid growth rate of warts.

There are the following methods for removing plantar warts:

cryodestruction;
laser coagulation;
electrocoagulation;
radio wave operation;
surgical incision.

Cryodestruction

This method involves exposing the wart to liquid nitrogen at a temperature of minus 196 degrees. Cryodestruction is characterized by the fact that when the wart is frozen, the skin area affected by the viruses is destroyed, followed by the stimulation of the body's immune forces. However, it should be noted that if the wart appears and persists for up to six months, then the effectiveness of its removal is 84%. While the effectiveness of removing warts that have existed for more than six months has been reduced to 39%.

Cryodestruction procedure can be performed:

usually (liquid nitrogen is applied until a light halo two millimeters in diameter appears around the wart);
aggressively (after the appearance of a slight halo around the wart, liquid nitrogen continues to be applied for another five to twenty seconds))

Research has shown that the aggressive method of freezing warts is more effective than the conventional method, but the disadvantage is that it is more painful.

After removal of the wart at the site of exposure, there is hyperemia (redness) of the skin, followed by the formation of edema. A few hours later, a blister forms in the affected area (may contain hemorrhagic or serous fluid) and about six to seven days after the bladder dries, a crust forms in its place, whichdisappears on its own within two weeks.

After removing the wart, follow these instructions:

a blister formed at the site of the wart should not be opened;
the affected area should not be covered with adhesive tape;
it is recommended to bandage the exposure site with a sterile bandage without tightening to prevent mechanical damage and contamination of the affected area;
it is recommended to treat the affected area with 2% salicylic alcohol twice a day;
try to avoid water entering the exposure area.

Advantages of the method	Disadvantages of the method
tissues heal without scarring	if exposure to liquid nitrogen occurs superficially, there is a high probability of recurrence (re-formation) of warts
the procedure is performed without the use of local anesthesia	Hypo or local hyperpigmentation may occur after the procedure
removing a wart with this method takes one to two minutes	if deeper cauterization occurs, there is a risk of indentation

Laser coagulation

Removing warts with a laser beam is one of the most common treatment methods today. This method is characterized by layer-by-layer cauterization of the affected area, which allows you to control the depth of exposure. Also, when removing a wart, the laser beam simultaneously joins the vessels, thus preventing the development of bleeding at the site of exposure.

The following laser coagulation methods are available:

Carbon dioxide (CO2) - laser.Warts are exposed to infrared light (the wavelength is 10 600 nm). The disadvantage of this method of treatment is that tissue cauterization is not selective, i. e. there is a possibility of damage to healthy tissue. The efficiency of removing foot warts using a carbon dioxide laser is 70%.
Erbium laser.This method is characterized by a shorter wavelength of 2940 nm, which significantly reduces the likelihood of scarring after tissue epithelialization. The effectiveness of this method of treatment is 75%.
Pulsed ink laser.This method is characterized by selective energy absorption (wavelength is 586 nm) oxygenated hemoglobin, in which destruction of dilated capillaries in the wart occurs, as well as stimulation of the immune system, which contributes to effective healing. The effectiveness of this method of treatment is approximately 95%.

After laser treatment, a crust forms on the affected area, which disappears on its own within seven to ten days. It is not recommended to crush the crust, as well as lubricate with something (oils, creams, alcoholic solutions). Also, in the first days after the procedure, water should be avoided at the site of exposure.

Advantages of the method	Disadvantages of the method
tissues heal without scarring	disadvantages of this method include only the high cost of the procedure
fast tissue healing
low risk of recurrence (repetition)
hardly affects healthy tissue

Electrocoagulation

A plantar wart is exposed to a high frequency current. Cauterization of the affected area should be done under local anesthesia. Thanks to the coagulation loop applied to the affected area of skin, an electric current is applied to the wart, which leads to its death. Also, the action of high temperatures leads to the union of vessels, which prevents the development of bleeding.

After the procedure, a dense crust forms at the site of exposure, which disappears on its own within ten days.

After removing the wart, follow these instructions:

During the healing period, try to avoid getting soap or water on the affected area of skin;
formed crust should not be touched or torn;
For the first seven to ten days, it is recommended to treat the site of exposure with an antiseptic once or twice a day.

Advantages of the method	Disadvantages of the method
available procedure cost	for small, shallow warts
prevents bleeding	when exposed to deep layers of skin after tissue healing, a scar may remain
procedure takes a few seconds to a minute	superficial removal of the wart may cause recurrence

Radio wave surgery

This method of treatment consists of using a special electrode that emits high frequency radio waves (3. 8 - 4. 0 MHz). Exposure to high temperatures in the plantar wart causes evaporation of cells affected by the papilloma virus. Also, due to the cauterization of blood vessels, the use of this method prevents the development of bleeding. After exposure, a crust forms on the affected area of skin, which disappears on its own within seven to ten days.

Contraindicated during the recovery period:

for the first two days after the procedure, you should not wet the moxibustion site;
peel the bark within seven to ten days.

Advantages of the method	Disadvantages of the method
when exposed to the affected area, healthy tissue is virtually untouched	high cost of the procedure
there is minimal risk of scarring after tissue healing
low risk of remission after treatment (two to five percent)

Surgical incision

This method is characterized by scalpel removal under local anesthesia. After cutting the affected area, sutures are applied, which are removed after seven to ten days.

Advantages of the method	Disadvantages of the method
used to remove large warts	after removing the stitches, the affected area may have scars
	there is a risk of remission (disappearance of symptoms) warts

General principles of caring for the affected area of skin after wart removal:

if a crust forms, it should not be touched or torn;
restrict water ingress to the affected area;
after removing the wart, it is impossible to expose the site of exposure to sunlight;
no cosmetic products (such as creams or lotions) should be applied to the affected area of skin;
it is not recommended to visit public saunas, baths or swimming pools for one to two months after wart removal;
after removing the wart, it is recommended to use vitamins A, C and E, as they promote rapid regeneration (healing) of tissues, and also stimulate the body's defenses.

Note:If complications arise after removal of the wart (inflammation of the affected area, prolonged healing, scarring), you should contact your doctor as soon as possiblePossible.

For all treatment methods, the contraindications of the procedure are:

diabetes mellitus;
presence of malignant tumors;
pregnancy;
infectious and inflammatory diseases near the wart;
worsening of herpes;
increased body temperature;
high blood pressure (over 140 per 100 millimeters of mercury).

Treatment of warts without surgical intervention

For single and shallow plantar warts, the use of traditional treatment methods is recommended.

Tool name used	Gatim	Apply
*acetic acid*	You need to buy 70% acetic acid, Vaseline and prepare a pipette to apply the correct dose.	Before using acetic acid, apply Vaseline to healthy skin around the wart. Then, using a pipette, a drop of acetic acid should be applied to the wart. Use this method once a day until the wart disappears.
*Garlic Infusion*	it is now necessary to chop three cloves of garlic, and then pour the resulting mass with boiling water (50 ml). After one hour, the resulting infusion should be filtered and used.	Lubricate the wart area with the resulting infusion once a day until the formation is completely gone.
*Salt solution*	Dissolve a tablespoon of salt in warm water (100 ml) and add a tablespoon of vinegar (9%). The resulting solution should be thoroughly stirred, and then the pulp of a plum should be dipped into it and soaked for two hours. Once the time has elapsed, it is necessary to remove the plum from the solution and grind it into scratches.	The resulting plum neck should be applied to the wart. For a secure fit, wrap your leg and put on a sock. This compress should be left on for two to three hours. The procedure should be repeated daily until the scar completely disappears.
*Worm infusion*	Add three tablespoons of dried wormwood to a glass of hot water (250 ml), cover and infuse for two hours.	The resulting solution should be applied to the affected areas of the foot three to four times a day until the warts are removed.
*Lemon peel infusion*	You need to peel two lemons and put it in a 1 liter jar, crushed. Then add 100 ml of 9% table vinegar to the container and close the jar with a tight lid. The contents should be infused for a week, shaking the vase periodically. At the end of the period, the infusion should be filtered.	The resulting infusion should be wetted with warts twice a day until they disappear completely.
*St. John's wort*	To a glass of water (250 ml) add a tablespoon of chopped rind and simmer for 15 minutes on low heat. After cooking, the soup should be cooled and then filtered.	With the resulting broth, you should lubricate the warts three to four times a day until they are completely gone.
Note:In case of any side effects, you should consult your doctor immediately.

Currently, celandine is also used effectively in the treatment of plantar warts. This plant has a yellow-orange medicinal juice.

Celandine has the following medicinal properties:

bactericidal (causes the death of hidden microorganisms);
anti-inflammatory;
antispasmodic;
choleretic;
antiviral;
wound healing;
cauterizues;
antipruritic;
celandine also contains vitamins A and C.

When treating plantar warts, use fresh celandine juice, which should be rubbed into the affected skin two to three times a day until the warts are completely gone. Before applying celandine, it is recommended to completely steam the feet in hot water and remove the keratinized part of the wart with a pumice stone.

In the treatment of plantar warts, celandine has the following therapeutic effects:

helps to reduce pain while walking;
accelerates wart drying and crust formation;
, due to the content of vitamins A and C, stimulates local immune responses.

Celandine also contains various acids (ascorbic, succinic, malic, citric) to which HPV is sensitive.

To improve the effectiveness of the treatment of plantar warts, the following recommendations should be followed:

perform daily foot hygiene procedures;
vitamins should be used regularly to strengthen the immune system (for example, vitamins A, E, C);
use individual shoes (for example household slippers);
with dry foot skin, it is necessary to use moisturizing and nourishing foot creams regularly;
in public places (bath, sauna or pool) personal slippers should be used and barefoot avoided;
carefully choose the right shoes (for example, the right size, natural materials);
in case of excessive foot sweating, it is necessary to use dryers, and also try to choose shoes according to the weather.