Spikes on the foot - causes and treatment

Blisters, small scratches on the heels, corns - all this can cause slight discomfort to its owner. However, if the neoplasm causes acute pain while walking, you should consider it and consult a doctor immediately. There is a possibility that it can provoke the appearance of such symptoms as a thorn on the foot - a type of wart that is often localized on the heels or toes and requires long-term treatment.

What a spike

Plantar wart, goose or in Latin Verruca plantaris - so experienced doctors call a neoplasm that looks like corn, but causes painful tingling when walking. Spike is considered a type of wart with a radicular method of binding in the deep layers of the skin. Small deposits can be cured by folk methods, and only deep-freezing, laser removal and electrocoagulation methods help to completely remove the thorn on the foot.

The goose, which has grown deep into the skin, touches and injures nerve endings, and can cause cracks on the surface of the feet and inflammation. Skin growths are mostly localized on the skin of the feet, heels, toes or hands, but sometimes sensitive areas of the body are also susceptible to virus infection: face, neck, ankles. Like any other wart, the thorn in the foot is a benign neoplasm, but if not treated properly, it can develop into a malignant tumor.

Characteristics of education

As a rule, the diameter of the plantar wart varies within 1-2 centimeters, but sometimes the size of the neoplasm can reach 4-5 cm. In the photo, the spike on the foot looks like a round or oval dry callus, with a clear border. To the touch, the formation is very dense and painful. Under the microscope, black-brown spots can be seen in the center of the spine. If you carefully examine the growth after mating the legs, you can see the threads on the surface of the spikes that have grown in all layers of the skin.

The first signs of appearance

At the beginning of development, the spike on the foot looks like a dry callus with hardened bark. However, if not treated properly, the neoplasm increases in size, changes color, becomes lumpy, and a small hole is created in the middle through which the rod is clearly visible. When you press on the foot, there is a sharp pain, as if needles or thorns were stuck in the foot. If the neoplasm is not removed immediately, new growths may appear nearby over time.

How the infection occurs

Plantar wart is a viral disease that can be contracted through open wounds on the sole, contact with a sick person or common objects. Bacteria feel particularly comfortable in a humid environment, so people with excessive sweating of the feet are prone to the appearance of thorns. Very often the infection occurs after visiting swimming pools, showers, gyms. To prevent the appearance of plantar warts, doctors recommend that you always have personal hygiene products and swimming shoes with you.

Causes of plantar warts

It provokes a spike on the foot of the human papilloma virus, which is present even in a healthy body. However, when certain conditions are created, the bacteria begin to actively multiply, causing lesions on the skin. The risk is especially high in people with reduced immunity, pregnant women and children. A spike on the foot occurs as a result of regular friction of the foot inside narrow shoes, due to congenital or acquired deviations in the structure of the skeleton, for example, from the club foot. Among the factors that cause the development of the virus in the body are also:

• excessive sweating of palms, interdigital space, feet;
• constant stress, overexertion, lack of sleep;
• injuries, wounds or burns to the skin of the legs or arms;
• exacerbation of chronic diseases;
• infectious and viral diseases - influenza, SARS, tonsillitis;
• wearing uncomfortable or tight shoes;
• flat feet;
• avitaminosis;
• extra pounds.

How to get rid of thorns

If a suspicious formation appears on the soles, do not delay a visit to the doctor. The sooner a correct diagnosis is made and treatment is started, the lower the risk of the wart process growing deep into the soft tissues. There are several methods of treating papillomas: physical impact on the nipple, surgery, removal of growths with chemicals, complex therapy to strengthen immunity. Minimally invasive methods are especially popular.

Physical effect on the nipple

Papilloma removal with a scalpel is rarely used today, because this method does not give a 100% guarantee that you will get rid of the problem. Residual processes in the layers of the skin can cause recurrence and even greater growth of neoplasms. This method of treatment is acceptable if all other options are not available. The operation is performed under local anesthesia, followed by a long period of rehabilitation.

Chemical methods

This option is considered one of the best in the conservative treatment of the spinal cord. Aggressive substances that are part of some drugs, when they reach the affected areas of the skin, cause cell necrosis, after which keratinized particles are easily removed mechanically. It is worth noting that this option is painful and can cause the appearance of scars and scars on the body. Preparations with chemical composition are of several types:

• With a necrotic effect - due to very aggressive components cause mummification of the skin surface. Such drugs are categorically contraindicated during pregnancy and for the treatment of the child.
• Keratolytics - agents that gently exfoliate dead skin cells, help soften rough skin. In combination with other drugs they enhance their effect, contributing to the deep penetration of active ingredients. Keratolytic drugs include: ointments and solutions with acids, urea-based patches.
• With cryogenic effect - act as a process of cryodestruction, freezing and stopping the growth of papillomas.

Immunotherapy

For a quick recovery, in addition to topical medications, doctors recommend the use of medications that stimulate the immune system. Immunostimulants are prescribed for this. At home, immunotherapy consists of normalizing the diet. There should be more fresh fruits, vegetables and juices on the menu. In addition, you can do light sports - swimming, running, cycling.

How to remove a spike on the leg at home

It can be difficult to cure a thorn by simple means. The whole difficulty lies in removing the root of the benign neoplasm, otherwise the problem will reappear in the future. If you are worried about the spike on the foot, special preparations will help you remove it:

• Ointment with salicylic acid - a drug for external use. It has antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects. The ointment should be applied to the previously evaporated and dried skin in a thin layer. To enhance the effect, an occlusive dressing can be placed on top. The procedure should be performed until the papilloma completely disappears once a day. If desired, the ointment can be replaced with special patches or a preparation based on salicylic and lactic acid.
• Ointment with interferon alfa-2b is a drug that has antiviral and immunomodulatory effects. The ointment is applied in a thin layer 3-4 times a day on the lesions. The duration of treatment is 4-7 days. Contraindications include: individual intolerance to components and the age of children up to one year.
• A special pen is a preparation that contains silver and has an antiseptic effect. The surface of the pen is moistened with water, after which the product is applied to damaged skin, avoiding affecting the healthy epidermis. The pen should not be used during pregnancy, for the treatment of children, in the event of papillomas on the neck or face.
• A liquid developed on the basis of a mixture of strong alkalis. Before use, healthy skin around the papilloma should be lubricated with a greasy cream, after which one drop of the solution is applied strictly to the center of the growth. Treatment is carried out until complete burning of the plantar wart. It is worth noting that the procedure is very painful, causing itching and burning.
• Topical isotretinoin-based agent. It belongs to the group of keratolytic drugs, it is available in the form of tablets. The capsules are taken orally with a meal at a dose of 0. 5-1 mg / kg for up to four months. The drug is contraindicated in pregnancy. With caution, you can take pills for diabetes, obesity, kidney and liver failure.
• Keratolytic ointment that helps in the treatment of advanced plantar warts. When applied to the skin, the active components of the product destroy the neurological connection between dead cells. The product is produced on the basis of urea, salicylic, citric, lactic acid. It can sometimes cause side effects such as tingling, itching and redness of the skin at the site of application.
• Phenol- and tricresol-based liquid with mummification effect. The method of use is the same as for treatment with an alkaline solution. The drug is contraindicated in the presence of juveniles in addition to papillomas, in hypersensitivity and in children under 7 years.

How to remove a spike on the foot

If the plantar wart has grown deep into the skin, chances are high that ordinary creams, solutions and ointments will not help. In such situations, doctors recommend resorting to minimally invasive methods of removing warts: electrocoagulation, laser removal by freezing liquid nitrogen - cryodestruction. These methods help not only to remove the spike on the foot, but also to prevent its reappearance in the future.

Cryodestruction

Burning the nipple and its rhizomes with liquid nitrogen. Under the influence of cold the body of the papilloma is destroyed, the area of inflammation is reduced and more viruses and bacteria die. A small bubble remains at the site of the procedure, which disappears in one and a half to two weeks. The procedure takes place without anesthesia and does not cause pain. Disadvantages of surgery in the long recovery period and the possibility of skin injuries near the nipple. You cannot undergo cryodestruction for cancer.

Electrocoagulation

This method shows good results only in the initial stages of the appearance of thorns, when the filiform roots did not have time to hit a large part of the foot. The papilloma is removed when the skin is exposed to high-frequency current impulses, which burns the spike on the foot and its rhizome. The disadvantages of such an operation are pain: after the procedure, a bleeding wound remains on the body. Sometimes scars can appear after removal by electric shock.

Pulsed laser treatment

One of the most popular and sought after treatments for plantar warts. Removal occurs under the influence of a laser beam, which simultaneously cauterizes the papilla and disinfects the skin surface at the site of surgery. The method of laser treatment does not cause any complications, after the procedure the patients are quickly rehabilitated, the possibility of re-growth of the spine on the foot is completely excluded. The only disadvantage of this method is the high cost of surgery.

Spike on the leg - treatment with folk remedies

Along with complex home remedies, plantar warts can be removed with traditional medicine. There are several effective recipes for removing thorns on the feet, palms and toes:

1. The spike on the heel will pass if you regularly put a nettle compress on the sore spot. To prepare it, finely chop the nettle leaves, wrap them in a clean burdock leaf, fix with a band-aid. Put the sock on your foot and leave the wrap overnight. The duration of such therapy is 3-4 sessions. By the same principle, you can make wraps of kalanchoe, potatoes and garlic.
2. Vinegar lotions help well. For their cooking, use fresh garlic and 9% table vinegar. Mix the ingredients until mushy and apply, after firming healthy skin with a band-aid. The mixture is left for about an hour and a half to two, after which it is washed with warm water. To enhance the effect after the lotion, it is recommended to treat the surface of the foot with salicylic acid ointment.
3. An equally effective remedy for human papilloma virus is iodine. It dries the skin well, disinfects, helps alleviate inflammation. To heal the spike on the foot with iodine, it is necessary to regularly lubricate the affected areas of the body.
4. Folk medicine by type of alkaline preparation can be prepared at home. To do this, celandine leaves are collected, ground or finely chopped, and then poured with 90% medical alcohol. The mixture is insisted in a dark cool place for 1, 5-2 weeks, after which it is filtered. You need to apply the solution at the point, covering the skin around the spike with plaster or smearing it with greasy cream. The duration of treatment with celandine juice depends on the growth of neoplasms, but should not exceed 30 days.
5. Painful neoplasms can be cauterized with salted water from canned cucumbers or tomatoes. To do this, take thick woolen socks, dip them in brine and put them on. Wrap the top of the legs with cling film or a bag. To create a greenhouse effect, fix the lining with a clean, dry pair of socks. Make a compress in the evening, wash your feet in the morning with cold water. Procedures should be performed until all tubercles have receded.