Although they are not dangerous, they can be a nuisance and their virulence makes them the object of the alert. Summer, the outdoors and water are the perfect mix for the spread of this type of warts.
What is papilloma?
It is known as papilloma a wart that appears in different parts of the body, although commonly (and in this particular case) on the sole of the foot. It is caused by the papillomavirus, or papillomavirus, of the Papillomaviridae family.
This complex virus reproduces, specifically, in the nuclei of squamous epithelial cells, so it is associated with different skin warts and other types of conditions. This family of viruses can also cause subclinical infections related to female and male genital cancer.
But returning to the virus that interests us, this causes an abnormal overgrowth of cells, such as small tumors, which are what form the wart. This abnormal reproduction is a consequence of the virus reproduction process, which sequesters the “cellular machinery” of epithelial cells, and causes this unexpected phenomenon.
The tissues created in this way can remit on their own, over time, but sometimes they can become virulent and spread, or monopolize a part of the skin, introducing its “root.” The papilloma is transmissible to the extent that it is the virus that causes it, obviously. The word papilloma, in medicine, refers to a benign tumor of epithelial cells with verrucous form. The plantar papilloma, of course, is not the only one there, because there are many kinds and diverse origin. However, as we said, the most common is caused by this virus.
Why does it appear more in summer?
Papillomavirus infections occur worldwide without distinction. All human beings are susceptible to this virus. In summer, however, the danger of suffering the plantar version of this condition seems greater. For what reason? The question is simple: contact.
It has been proven that the transmission of the virus is not as simple as it seems. For example, it does not occur on clean surfaces, which indicates that the virus does not survive adequately exposed to the environment. In summer, on the contrary, our skin spends much more time in contact with different things.
The stratified squamous epithelium, especially prolific on the sole of the foot, for example, tends to come loose as it appears as protection. The virus is present, many times, in these cells. In addition, the humidity factor allows you to increase your “survival” (viruses are not alive).
Leaving the pool, sharing a beach shower and other similar circumstances increase the likelihood that some of the infected cells, even by asymptomatic carriers (who do not show the wart), get in touch with healthy cells and transmit the disease. This is the real reason for more in summer, but it can occur in a humid environment, such as showers, at any time of the year.
How plantar papilloma is treated
The papillomavirus itself has no treatment. In fact, it is the body itself that eliminates 90% of the papillomavirus. What can be done is to reduce viral activity to prevent infection.
This consists of using substances whose mechanisms are not yet fully known but have been observed as effective in reducing the viral mechanism. There are also others capable of activating the immune system against the virus, accelerating the natural process.
Normally, the only option available for papilloma is to terminate the tissue. There are numerous products capable of doing so, although it is convenient to consult with the specialist before. All of them produce a decrease in tissue, an injury, which eventually ends up being in a small crust.
In some cases, it is essential to opt for surgery and cut all the affected tissue, as if it were a tumor. This can be done with a laser, by surgical removal or with cryosurgery, by freezing the tissue selectively.
