Foot Papilloma
What is a papilloma on the sole of the foot? All the information about the causes, symptoms, and treatments for plantar warts.
Symptoms and Causes
Foot papilloma consists of the appearance of warts on the sole of the foot, both in weight-bearing areas and non-weight-bearing areas.
These lesions, caused by certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), can be painful and very similar to calluses on the sole of the foot, but they differ by the presence of multiple black spots, which are sometimes only visible after scratching and correspond to capillary thrombosis. A single lesion may be found, or they may group together to form keratotic plaques, which are referred to as "mosaic warts" in this case.
Plantar warts or human papillomavirus require medical monitoring to avoid complications or transmission to others. In rare cases, they disappear on their own.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of foot papilloma are:
- Warts on the sole of the foot.
- Thickening of the skin.
- Black spots.
- Pain when walking or standing for long periods.
Causes
Plantar warts appear due to an infection caused by the human papillomavirus, which usually enters the skin of the feet through small wounds or cuts.
Risk Factors
Foot papilloma is more commonly found in:
- Children and adolescents.
- People with diabetes, HIV, or a weakened immune system for other reasons.
- Contact in damp areas such as pools, mats, and showers.
Complications
Plantar papillomas usually do not present complications, although when they are painful, they can alter the way the foot is supported and cause changes in walking or gait.
Prevention
To prevent getting foot papilloma, it is recommended to:
- Avoid walking barefoot in public places.
- Maintain good foot hygiene (wash daily, dry thoroughly, change socks every day…).
- Avoid direct contact with warts from others or with surfaces that may be contaminated.
If you already have plantar warts, it’s advisable not to scratch them and use different tools, such as files or clippers, for unaffected areas.
What doctor treats foot papilloma?
Podiatrists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of foot papillomas.
Diagnosis
Specialists can diagnose foot papilloma in the office with a physical examination. If they have doubts, they may remove a small sample to check for blood coagulation or analyze the tissue in the laboratory.
Treatment
There are different ways to remove foot papillomas, depending on their characteristics and the patient's circumstances. The most common treatments are:
- Cryotherapy: cold (liquid nitrogen) is applied to burn the wart, and it will fall off in a few days.
- Laser: a similar process to cryotherapy, but laser technology is used to burn the lesion.
- Salicylic acid creams: promote peeling, causing the wart to shed layer by layer.
