However, some people are more susceptible to the appearance of standing fish eye. Among them, we can highlight those with low immunity, carriers of autoimmune diseases or who are very stressed, for example.
Since most people develop immunity to the virus with age, plantar warts are more common in children than in adults.
In addition, they are also common in people with HIV and take immunosuppressive drugs, as is the case of those who have had a transplant.
In this way, each person’s immune system responds differently to HPV. Not everyone who comes into contact with it develops a fish eye. Even people in the same family react to the virus in different ways.
Although the fisheye is not dangerous, some people may need to remove it or look for ways to treat it to deal with the discomfort.
However, if fisheye is not treated properly, there is a risk that the lesion will increase and the virus will proliferate. With this, there is a contamination of other areas that can develop new warts. Inappropriate treatment can also cause scarring and infections on the soles of the feet.
Below are some home treatments for fisheye.
Apple vinegar
The anti-infective properties of apple cider vinegar can help to reduce plantar warts. The ideal is to apply with a piece of cotton about twice a day.
Scotch tape
One way to gradually get rid of plantar warts is to use tape. To do this, stick a small piece of tape on the affected area and change at least twice a day. This can help to “peel” the layers of the warts.
Iodine
Applying iodine can help remove plantar warts. The recommendation is to apply twice a day for a few weeks with a piece of cotton.
Sprays
It is possible to use freezing sprays to decrease plantar warts. The spray creates a blister-like lesion that sticks to the wart. As soon as the blister heals, the wart will also disappear.
Aspirin
Easily found in pharmacies, aspirin has acetylsalicylic acid in its composition. So it can be useful for treating warts, as it creates a peeling-like effect and removes the most superficial layer of the skin.
Tea tree oil
Also known as tea tree oil , the item has antiviral action and helps fight the HPV virus, responsible for the appearance of the fish eye. The indication is to dilute in some vegetable oil such as coconut and apply directly to the plantar wart at least twice a day.
Most fish eyes are harmless and disappear without treatment, but this can take one to two years. If the warts hurt or spread, it is important to seek medical help for an evaluation.
At the doctor’s appointment, usually with a dermatologist, who assesses the lesion to confirm the diagnosis.
The specialist will be able to remove the lesion with a scalpel and check for signs of dark spots at the site, that is, small clotted blood vessels. Then, the tissue can be sent for analysis (biopsy). If the diagnosis of fisheye is confirmed, some treatments are indicated. See details.
Peeling with salicylic acid
Salicylic acid removes the layers of the plantar wart and stimulates the immune system’s ability to fight warts. It can be applied at home with the guidance of the doctor.
Cryotherapy
The technique, which is performed in a doctor’s office, involves applying liquid nitrogen to the wart with a spray or a cotton swab. It can be painful, so it is common for a person to need local anesthesia.
The substance used causes a bubble to form around the wart and the dead tissue comes off. Cryotherapy can also stimulate the immune system to fight viral warts. This treatment can last for a few weeks until the fish eye on the foot disappears.
Acids
The doctor scrapes the surface of the wart and applies trichloroacetic acid to the skin. Side effects include burning and stinging.
Immune therapy
This technique uses drugs or solutions to stimulate the immune system to fight the fish eye. The specialist applies a specific substance or cream to the plantar wart.
Surgeries
Although less common, in some cases less complex surgeries are indicated to eliminate the fisheye. In such cases, anesthesia is required and may leave scars.
Laser treatment
Laser treatment cauterizes the blood vessels and the infected tissue dies and the wart falls off. This technique needs to be repeated every three to four weeks. It can also cause pain and scarring.
It is worth mentioning that, as tempting as it may seem, one should not remove the fish eye at home alone. Removing the wart with your own hands or with pliers and needles can cause bleeding, pain and local trauma, causing infections that aggravate the problem.
Plantar warts can be difficult to remove and have a tendency to come back. Therefore, it is important to follow the appropriate treatment.
Is it contagious?
Yes. There is a possibility of direct contamination from one person to another, but it is not so common. The main form of transmission of the plantar warts virus is to walk barefoot in hot and humid environments, such as swimming pools, bathrooms and changing rooms.
To prevent fish eye on the foot, some attitudes can be effective. Are they:
- Always protect your feet in shared community spaces, such as swimming pools, showers, changing rooms or dormitories;
- Get the HPV vaccine;
- If you have a fish eye, change your shoes and socks every day;
- Avoid touching warts and also not poking the fish eye with your fingers;
- Wash your feet thoroughly with soap after being in an area where the virus can spread;
- Keep feet clean and dry;
- Keep the plantar wart always covered and wash your hands frequently to avoid transmitting it to others.
