Plantar warts or papillomas on the foot. What are they, how does the virus affect the feet and how can it be treated?

The plantar warts are a fairly common pathology among the population. On some occasions, due to lack of information, this skin lesion can be confused with other pathologies such as helomas or Calluses.

 

Unlike helomas or calluses, plantar warts are a viral infection, they are not a thickening of the skin caused by rubbing or friction.

 

 

WHAT ARE PLANTAR WARTS? SYMPTOMS AND TYPES

 

Warts on the feet are a viral infection caused by human papilloma virus or HPV. He stays in the first two layers of skin (epidermis and dermis), but never reaches deeper layers.

 

The name "papilloma" is assigned to viral infections caused by this strain, but in the podiatric field the name we should use is "plantar wart".

 

Detail image of a wart on the skin of the foot

 

Su appearance is similar to one cauliflower (existing different sizes, due to the extension of the injury and antiquity of the same) in which they normally appear black spots (vascularization of the virus) that when delaminating produces a Bleeding.

 

usually produce pain on pinching instead of pressure. However, when the plantar wart is covered by a layer of keratin, It can bother when pressing the area.

 

 

It is necessary to differentiate between sole plantar warts, localized plantar warts preferably in pressure zones and mosaic plantar warts, which are not as deep as the previous ones and usually have a largest injury which is considered the main

 

CAUSES. WHY DO PAPILLOMAS OCCUR ON THE FOOT OR PLANTAR WARTS?

 

Warts on the feet are caused by direct contagion when the foot, through wounds o cracks, come into contact with the virus.

 

They have an incubation period of approximately 1 to 6 months. Humidity, heat (in the summer months), a weak immune system or lack of hygiene are some aspects that enhance the action of the virus.

 

Further down, in the section “Prevention“, we tell you everything you can do to avoid contagion.

 

 

 

 

TREATMENTS. HOW CAN I TREAT PLANTAR WARTS?

 

Numerous forms of warts have been described for foot warts. treatment, but, in general, they all have the same objective: deepen until the lesion is completely resected. Here are some of them:

 

1. CHEMICAL BURN TO END PLANTAR WARTS

Through acids (nitric, salicylic, lactic…) in different concentrations and leaving the product for a stipulated time. Subsequently, the necessary cures.

 

 

2. THERMAL BURN

Through laser, with different wavelengths and carrying out the pertinent cures. In this link you can read much more about the laser as a podiatric treatment using an alternative methodology to solve this type of pathology.

 

3. SUBSTANCES

vesicants and cantharidin o cytostatic and bleomycin. They are usually the most effective but most aggressive and stricter cures are needed since a small ulcer.

 

 

4. SURGERY TO TREAT PLANTAR WARTS

It is not the treatment that is usually chosen, but it is a possibility when the other conservative treatments have failed.

 

5. ¿CALLICIDES?

On some occasions we have seen patients who have treated plantar warts at home with callicides, since they were thought to be Calluses o helomas. This product can cause serious skin problems on the feet.

 

The choice of treatment will depend on the professional's criteria, depending on the extent of the wart, the baseline health of the patient, their collaboration and age.

 

 

For the treatment to work correctly it is essential that the patient follows all the guidelines y tips that the specialist has given you reduce the risk of infection and increase the effectiveness of treatment.

 

PREVENTION. HOW CAN I PREVENT THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS?

 

– LOOK WHERE YOU TREAD

Get infected with HPV too easy in warm places where there is humidity. The most common are common showers in gyms, changing rooms or swimming pools, that is, places where there is a lot of traffic of people.

 

Don't walk barefoot, wear flip-flops to act as a protective barrier.

 

– HYGIENE

keep your feet clean y dry, especially between the fingers, and avoid sharing shoes and towel. If necessary, change your socks twice a day.

 

 

- WOUNDS.

Beware of the cracks y small injuries on the skin, they can be a entry way for the virus. Take care of them and protect them!

 

– SELF-CONTAGION

If we touch the wart and then do not wash our hands well we can spread the virus to other parts of the body.

 

Each person reacts differently to the virus. Not everyone who has been in contact with the virus will develop a plantar wart.

 

 

 Do you think you may have a plantar wart? At Podoactiva we can help you. Consult your nearest Podoactiva clinic HERE or contact us at 974 231 280 or Traves de info@podoactiva.com.

 

Lucia Mondelo

podiatrist in Podoactiva Premier Madrid Clinic