Dr Nelson Clinic .com

Warts

Dr Mark Nelson

Foot & Ankle Specialist

Home
Up

Clinic Home Page
Foot Care Store
Foot Medical Information
 

Visit our 2
Online
Foot Care
Stores:

Original Store
or
New Store

 

 

SCUBA DIVERS: Visit the
World Diving Association

 

 


 

 

Plantar Warts - Verrucae

Treatment of Warts (Verrucae)

Get rid of ugly foot (plantar) or hand (common) warts with Tripod Plantarstat Wart Treatment.  Satisfaction Guarantee Click here for more information on this safe and inexpensive topical product.

What are plantar warts?

Warts are one of several soft tissue conditions of the foot that can be quite painful. They are caused by a virus, which generally invades the skin through small or invisible cuts and abrasions. They can appear anywhere on the skin, but, technically, only those on the sole are properly called plantar warts.

Children, especially teenagers, tend to be more susceptible to warts than adults; some people seem to be immune.


Identification Problems

Most warts are harmless, even though they may be painful. They are often mistaken for corns or calluses—which are layers of dead skin that build up to protect an area which is being continuously irritated. The wart, however, is a viral infection.

It is also possible for a variety of more serious lesions to appear on the foot, including malignant lesions such as carcinomas and melanomas. Although rare, these conditions can sometimes be misidentified as a wart. It is wise to consult a podiatric physician when any suspicious growth or eruption is detected on the skin of the foot in order to ensure a correct diagnosis.

Plantar warts tend to be hard and flat, with a rough surface and well-defined boundaries; warts are generally raised and fleshier when they appear on the top of the foot or on the toes. Plantar warts are often gray or brown (but the color may vary), with a center that appears as one or more pinpoints of black. It is important to note that warts can be very resistant to treatment and have a tendency to reoccur.
 

Source of the Virus

The plantar wart is often contracted by walking barefoot on dirty surfaces or littered ground where the virus is lurking. The causative virus thrives in warm, moist environments, making infection a common occurrence in communal bathing facilities.

If left untreated, warts can grow to an inch or more in circumference and can spread into clusters of several warts; these are often called mosaic warts. Like any other infectious lesion, plantar warts are spread by touching, scratching, or even by contact with skin shed from another wart. The wart may also bleed, another route for spreading.

Occasionally, warts can spontaneously disappear after a short time, and, just as frequently, they can recur in the same location.

When plantar warts develop on the weight-bearing areas of the foot—the ball of the foot, or the heel, for example—they can be the source of sharp, burning pain. Pain occurs when weight is brought to bear directly on the wart, although pressure on the side of a wart can create equally intense pain.
 

Tips for Prevention

bullet
Avoid walking barefoot, except on sandy beaches.  Public showers and pools are a major source of the wart virus.
bullet
Change shoes and socks daily.
bullet
Keep feet clean and dry.
bullet
Check children's feet periodically.
bullet
Avoid direct contact with warts—from other persons or from other parts of the body.
bullet
Do not ignore growths on, or changes in, your skin.
bullet
Visit your podiatric physician as part of your annual health checkup.


Self Treatment

Self treatment should be done with caution. Over-the-counter preparations contain acids or chemicals that destroy skin cells and you need to be careful to destroy the abnormal skin cells (warts) without also destroying surrounding healthy tissue. Self treatment with such medications especially should be avoided by people with diabetes and those with cardiovascular or circulatory disorders. Never use them in the presence of an active infection. 
 

Professional Treatment

It is possible that your podiatric physician will prescribe and supervise your use of a wart-removal preparation, such as salicylic acid containing preparations, canthrone or "freezing" of the warts. Another option may be removal of warts by a simple surgical procedure (with or without laser), performed under local anesthetic.  Prescription Aldara cream is frequently used by physicians in conjunction with other treatments.

Lasers have become a common and effective treatment. A procedure known as CO2 laser cautery is performed under local anesthesia either in your podiatrist’s office surgical setting or an outpatient surgery facility. The laser reduces post-treatment scarring and is a safe form for eliminating wart lesions.

Printer Friendly Format
 

Wart Tips From The APMA

Self treatment is generally not advisable. Over-the-counter preparations contain acids or chemicals that destroy skin cells, and it takes an expert to destroy abnormal skin cells (warts) without also destroying surrounding healthy tissue. Self treatment with such medications especially should be avoided by people with diabetes and those with cardiovascular or circulatory disorders. Never use them in the presence of an active infection.
 

The APMA recommends the following tips for individuals with warts:

bullet
Avoid self treatment with over the counter preparations.
bullet
Seek professional podiatric evaluation and assistance with the treatment of your warts.
bullet
Diabetics and other patients with circulatory, immunological or neurological problems should be especially careful with the treatment of their warts.
bullet
Warts may spread and are catching. Make sure you have your warts evaluated to protect yourself and those close to you.

Reprinted with permission from the American Podiatric Medical Association.

 

  [Home] [Up] [Referral Guidelines] [Ankle Sprain Risks] [Diabetic Foot Ulcers] [Diabetic Ulcer Causes] [Diabetic Neuropathy] [Crossover Toe] [Flat Foot Correction] [Simpler Bunion Surgery] [Tailor's Bunion Surgery] [Flip Flop Sandals] [Heel Pain in Athletes] [Sports & Foot Pain] [Achilles Tendon Injury] [Runners' Foot Care] [Golfers' Foot Care] [Court Sports] [Athlete Foot Pain] [Snowboarder Injuries] [Golf Shoe Tips] [Foot FAQ] [Bones of Foot] [Common Foot Problems] [Footcare Tips] [Foot Health & Problems] [Footwear] [Medicare] [Job Foot Health] [Senior Walking Tips] [Self-Assessment Quiz] [Walking] [Aging] [Arthritis] [Arthritis FAQ] [Athlete's Foot] [Bunions] [Children's Feet] [Diabetes FAQ] [Diabetes & Feet] [Diabetic Ulcer] [Flying Jobs] [Hammertoes] [Heel Pain] [Injuries] [Neuromas] [Orthotics] [Surgery Forefoot] [Surgery Rearfoot] [Toenail Fungus] [Toenail Problems] [Warts] [Women's Feet] [Aerobics] [Baseball] [Basketball] [Children & Sports] [Contact Sports] [Cycling] [Fitness] [Golf] [Running] [Tennis] [Walking Exercise] [Winter Sports]

Building Trust in Transactions (tm)

Official PayPal Seal

Google
 
Web DrNelsonClinic.com

Send email to the webmaster with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2002-20010 Arrowhead International, LLC.  All rights reserved.  Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is strictly prohibited.  DrNelsonClinic.com is a trademark and subsidiary of Arrowhead International, LLC.  This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Buffalo Clinic, Monticello Clinic or ASM Clinic.
"Helping Your Feet Feel Great"TM is a trademark of Mark Nelson, DPM and AllCare Foot & Ankle Specialists, LLC.  Site designed by Arrowhead International, LLC.  Read our disclaimer
Last modified: 10/13/10