A “fish eye” on the foot is a common term for a plantar wart, a non-cancerous growth appearing on the sole of the foot. These growths can cause discomfort or pain, especially when walking or standing. Various effective methods exist for their removal, ranging from home-based treatments to professional medical procedures.
What Are Fish Eyes?
Plantar warts, often called “fish eyes” due to their appearance, are rough, grainy bumps that typically form on the soles, heels, or balls of the feet. They can vary in color, often appearing similar to the surrounding skin, but may also be dark pink, yellow, brown, or gray. A distinguishing feature is tiny black dots, often referred to as “wart seeds,” which are actually small clotted blood vessels. These warts develop when the human papillomavirus (HPV) enters the skin through small cuts or breaks. The virus thrives in warm, moist environments, making public areas like swimming pools, locker rooms, and showers common places for transmission.
Home and Over-the-Counter Solutions
Initial treatment for plantar warts often begins with home and over-the-counter (OTC) solutions. Salicylic acid, a common active ingredient found in patches, gels, and liquids, works by gradually peeling away layers of the wart. It may also help stimulate the body’s immune response against the virus. Consistent daily application for several weeks or months is important for complete resolution.
Another method is duct tape occlusion, where a piece of duct tape is applied directly over the wart and left for several days. This creates a moist, irritating environment that may help slough off wart tissue or stimulate an immune reaction. While some studies suggest its effectiveness, others have found mixed results.
Over-the-counter freezing kits, a form of cryotherapy, use a cold substance to freeze wart tissue, causing a blister to form. The dead tissue then sloughs off within about a week. These kits are less potent than professional cryotherapy treatments but offer a convenient option for home use. If a wart grows, becomes painful, bleeds, or does not respond to home treatments after a few weeks or months, seeking professional medical advice is recommended.
Professional Medical Removal
When home remedies are not effective or for stubborn cases, healthcare professionals can offer several advanced removal procedures. Clinic-performed cryotherapy involves applying liquid nitrogen to the wart, which is significantly colder than OTC freezing products. This intense cold destroys wart tissue, often requiring multiple sessions spaced a few weeks apart.
Electrosurgery and curettage involve scraping away the wart with a curette, a spoon-shaped instrument, then cauterizing the base with an electrical current. This method aims to destroy any remaining wart tissue and prevent bleeding. Laser treatment uses focused light to heat and destroy the blood vessels supplying the wart, effectively starving it of nutrients. Lasers may also directly target the virus within the tissue.
Surgical excision involves cutting out the wart, often performed under local anesthesia. This is typically reserved for larger or persistent warts when other treatments have failed. Immunotherapy treatments can also stimulate the body’s own immune system to fight the human papillomavirus. These may involve injections of antigens into the wart or topical medications that provoke an immune response.
Preventing Future Occurrences
Preventing plantar warts involves reducing exposure to the human papillomavirus and maintaining good foot hygiene. Keeping feet clean and thoroughly dry is a fundamental step, as the virus thrives in moist environments. Regular washing with soap and water helps remove viral particles.
Wearing appropriate footwear in public areas, such as swimming pools, locker rooms, and communal showers, is also important. Sandals or flip-flops create a barrier, preventing direct contact with contaminated surfaces. Avoid touching warts, either on oneself or others, and wash hands thoroughly after any contact to prevent spreading the virus. Regularly inspecting feet for any new growths allows for early detection and treatment, which can help prevent the wart from growing larger or spreading.