Warts

What is a plantar wart?

Plantar warts are hard, rough viral infections that grow on the bottom of the feet and toes. This virus is part of the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is one of the most common infections in the United States.

Plantar warts may develop when the virus makes its way into the skin on the soles of your feet either through a small cut or an area of weaker tissue. These warts can be individual or clustered together, known as mosaic warts. Many times plantar warts can be mistaken for a callus.

What are the typical symptoms of warts?

Plantar warts or verruca look like small calluses and typically develop on the toes and the bottom of your feet. They may not be too bothersome, but if they’re in a sensitive area or on a weight-bearing surface they can be painful.

These painful plantar warts can cause you to walk differently to alleviate the pressure. As a result, not only do you have pain from the wart itself but you may put an excess train on other parts of your body.

How to prevent plantar warts?

There are ways to prevent infection and reduce its spread by:

• Not touching any warts
• Changing your socks and shoes every day
• Keeping your feet clean and dry
• Avoiding going barefoot in public areas such as changing rooms, locker rooms, water parks to name a few

If you’re a parent, you should check your children’s feet regularly for signs of plantar warts, as children are more likely to pick up the infection.

How can I treat plantar warts?

Plantar warts should never be ignored and should, therefore, be treated at the first sign. You can buy over-the-counter treatments for plantar warts, which may work if the wart isn’t too deep or callused. If you aren’t getting results from initial treatments and your plantar warts are causing discomfort, the team at Kalmar Family Podiatry has a range of effective treatment options that can help.

Treatments available include:

• Prescription strength salicylic acid
• Compound wart medications
• Prescription anti-neoplastic medications
• CryoProbe™ cryotherapy (liquid nitrous oxide)
• Surgery

Surgical excision of the wart isn’t usually necessary for plantar warts, but your podiatrist may recommend it as a last resort or if the patient opts for immediate removal. The procedure takes place in the office under a local anesthetic.

If you spot a plantar wart on your foot, or you have any concerns about the health of your feet, call Kalmar Family Podiatry today, or book an appointment online.