A painful lump on your heal from skiing may be caused by boots that are too small and are rubbing on the back of your heel while skiing. The friction from the ski boot rubbing on your heel can result in a painful blister or callus. A plantar's wart or heel spur may also cause a painful lump on your heel, which is more noticeable while skiing.
Cause
Blisters and calluses are both caused by repeated rubbing of your ski boot against your foot. The blister may be present when you take off your socks, but a callus occurs after an area is rubbed for a prolonged period of time. Plantar's warts are caused by human papillomavirus, more commonly known as HPV. This virus can be found in moist and warm environments and can enter your skin through an opening in your skin or skin that has been softened by moisture. There is a ligament that supports the arch of your foot that runs along the bottom of your foot and attaches to your heel bone. If this ligament is pulled abnormally, such as repeated jumping that places force on your arch, your body creates a spur for protection.
Identification
A blister is a thin layer of raised skin that is filled with a watery liquid. If your skin continues to be rubbed in the area of the blister, a callus will form, which is a layer of thickened skin that feels rough. A heel spur can be extremely painful after skiing, especially if you have ill-fitting ski boots. If you have a heel spur, you may notice slight pain in the mornings, but as you place weight on it during the day the pain intensifies. A plantar's wart is painful to stand on and will be a flesh-colored lesion on the sole of your foot.
Treatment
If you have a blister, keep it clean and cover it with a bandage. The blister will usually disappear on its own, but if you don't fix what's causing the problem, it will lead to a callus. To treat a callus, soak it in warm and soapy water for 10 minutes and then rub it with a pumice stone. Some plantar's warts can be treated with at-home wart treatment kits, but others may need to be frozen by a doctor. If freezing the wart does not work, topical creams or minor surgery can remove the wart. A heel spur can be treated by resting the area and taking a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug to relieve your pain. You can also ice your heel.
Prevention
Proper fitting sturdy ski boots are the key to preventing heel spurs, blisters and calluses. Custom orthotics are recommended for treating a heel spur. To prevent a plantar's wart, keep your feet clean and dry. Avoid sharing ski boots and socks with others since HPV is contagious. Do not walk around barefoot at a ski resort, especially if snow has gotten into your boot and moistened your feet. Do not pick at your feet and if you do touch a plantar's wart, wash your hands thoroughly to prevent spreading the virus to other areas of your skin.
