The fish eyes feet, known medically as Plantar warts, are skin lesions that appear at the bottom of the foot caused by the virus of human papillomavirus (HPV), which can be very painful because they grow inward because the pressure exerted on the area when standing, walking, or doing physical activities.
It is a widespread viral infection that can develop more frequently if you use public showers or walk barefoot in changing rooms or swimming pools. The HPV strains that cause plantar warts increase in this humid and warm environment. In many cases, these injuries go away on their own with time, but if they cause pain, it is essential to treat them medically. In this FastlyHealarticle, we explain why fish eyes appear on feet and the most effective medical treatment and home remedies for its total cure.
Table of Contents
Why do fish eyes appear on the feet?
The fish eyes or plantar warts are small lumps that commonly appear in the heels or those points of the bottom of the foot that often bear the weight. These types of warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), a widespread virus that, when entering the body through wounds, cuts, or cracks in the lower area of the foot, can give rise to the appearance of this papilloma. On foot.
Although there are more than 100 types of HPV, genotypes 1, 2, and 4 are the ones behind the appearance of fish eyes on the feet. However, it should be noted that not all those who contact this virus develop plantar warts since each immune system responds in a certain way to HPV.
HPV is a virus that is easily transmitted, and these warts can be spread from one person to another if you come in direct contact with them or with any surface or object that has been in touch with them. Here are the risk factors for fish eyes because although anyone can have them, they are at greater risk:
- Children and adolescents. The American Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) [1] explains that it is a common viral infection in about 10% of adolescents.
- People who use public showers or walk through them and through changing rooms or swimming pools with bare feet since, as stated by AOFAS, this virus proliferates in hot and humid environments like these.
- Patients who have a weakened immune system.
- Patients who have previously developed plantar warts.
Symptoms of fisheye or papilloma on the foot
Many people do not know how to differentiate plantar warts from other types of skin lesions that can appear on the feet, such as corns, and they can have some similarities. Let’s see below what are the signs and symptoms of fish eyes that Mayo Clinic lists so that we can differentiate them from other types of injuries:
- The appearance of a minor, grainy and rough lump at the base of the toes, the front area of the sole, or on the heel.
- Hard, thickened skin over the area of skin where the wart has grown inward.
- Black dots on the surface of the plantar wart correspond to small clotted blood vessels.
- An injury that causes the loss of the discontinuity of the standard lines and furrows of the skin of the foot.
- Pain and tenderness when standing or walking, as the warts are flattened.
Other signs and symptoms that can help differentiate plantar warts from calluses are, for example, that their appearance is similar to that of a cauliflower; the affected person may feel as if they have a stone inside their shoes and that they are painful when they press or pinch.
Medical treatment for fish eyes on feet
Although many plantar warts can disappear spontaneously with time and on their own, the complete disappearance can occur after 1 or 2 years; it is essential to consult with the doctor or podiatrist in the following cases:
- Papilloma on foot causes pain, color changes, or appearance bleeding.
- Lesions multiply or reappear.
- Warts affect the performance or performance of daily activities.
- You are not sure what type of injury it is.
- You have diabetes or poor sensation in your feet.
- You have a weakened immune system, either from immunosuppressive medical treatments, HIV, or immune system diseases.
To heal fish eyes on the foot thoroughly, medical treatment may consist of one of the following procedures depending on the size and severity of the injuries:
- Medications with salicylic acid: in a study published in the Journal of the College of Podiatrists of the Community of Madrid [2], it is reported that this acid is usually the first choice in the treatment of plantar warts, as it is highly effective and It works by removing the layers of the wart little by little. It can be purchased in liquid, ointment, or powder and in different concentrations, although the most used is 40%. In addition, the study indicates that this treatment is more effective when combined with other medications or treatments, such as cryotherapy, imiquimod, or 5-fluorouracil.
- Cryotherapy: liquid nitrogen is applied to the papilloma on the skin to freeze it. A blister will form around the injury, and the dead tissue falls off in about seven days.
- Laser – A pulsed dye laser is used to burn or cauterize the small closed blood vessels. This causes the wart to fall off over time. However, it is a treatment that must be repeated every 3 or 4 weeks and with relatively limited efficacy.
- Surgery: Surgery is used when other medical treatments have not worked. The specialist destroys the wart using electrodesiccation and curettage.
- Immunotherapy – Medications and treatments are offered to the patient that help stimulate the immune system to fight the viral infection.
Homemade fish eye treatment on feet
In a complementary way to medical treatment and only if it is safe, you can resort to the use of some home remedies to cure fish eyes on the feet more quickly and relieve all discomfort:
Aspirin
As we have commented previously, acetylsalicylic acid is one of the most effective medical treatments for plantar warts. Therefore, although slower than the drugs indicated above, common aspirin can help reduce lesions and accelerate their disappearance.
- Crush one aspirin and mix it with a little to get a paste.
- Apply the paste to the plantar wart and leave for 30 minutes.
- Remove with plenty of water.
- Repeat the treatment about twice a day.
it
Garlic is a food with potent antibiotic, antiviral and antiseptic properties, which are ideal for fighting the causing virus, relieving discomfort, and preventing possible infections.
- Crush 1 garlic clove to create a paste.
- Apply the garlic paste to the lesion.
- Cover the area with gauze and leave for 20 to 30 minutes.
- If you feel very burning, stop the treatment.
Epsom salts
These salts have relaxing, anti-inflammatory, and exfoliating properties; they can help soften fishy eyes and fight the pain they cause in the feet.
- Add a handful of Epsom salts to a basin of warm water.
- Soak your feet for about 20 to 30 minutes.
- Dry your feet with a towel.
- Apply a moisturizer.
Tea tree oil
This oil is another of the best home remedies for fish eyes on the feet, as it has antiseptic and antibacterial properties.
- Dilute a few drops of tea tree oil in a bit of water.
- Apply the mixture directly to the plantar wart.
- Let the mixture dry on its own.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Fish eyes on feet: why they come out and home treatment, we recommend that you enter our Skin, hair, and nails category.
References
https://www.footcaremd.org/conditions-treatments/toes/plantar-warts
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.