Warts are a not-so-glamorous topic that many people experience but may not necessarily want to talk about. As podiatrists, we are especially concerned with plantar warts, or warts that appear inconveniently on your feet, maybe even making it difficult to walk normally. While warts aren’t a serious health condition, they can be frustrating to get rid of. Here is some information regarding plantar warts and how to treat them, just in time for sandal season.
What Are Plantar Warts?
It’s likely plantar warts may appear on weight-bearing areas of your feet such as your heels. Because of this pressure, plantar warts may also grow inward under a thick layer of skin, often called a callus. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the cause of plantar warts, entering your body via small cuts or breaks in the surface of your skin.
Symptoms
Warts appear as small, rough growths on the bottoms of your feet, often along the base of your toes and on the forefront of your heel. You may also notice small black “seeds” on your feet, which are small clotted blood vessels. If you notice that your feet have been especially sore when you walk or stand, inspect them to make sure you don’t notice anything out of the ordinary.
Our Treatments
Depending on the severity of your wart, we can treat it either topically or surgically. We may need to trim dead skin, so the liquid acids can penetrate the root of the wart to ensure it’s eliminated. Surgical removal includes numbing it with an injection and then removing it with a laser. At-home medications can also help fight off warts and strengthen your immune system to fight the virus.
If you feel a wart developing or want to get rid of a wart that’s been there for far too long, contact Alpine Foot Specialists today! We are happy to get your feet healthy so they both look and feel good.
Source: Mayo Clinic