Facts About Plantar Warts

Plantar warts are large warts that usually appear on the heels or balls of the feet that are caused by the human papillomavirus entering the body through cuts and abrasions. Since plantar warts grow on the bottom of the foot in the areas that are under the most pressure, the wart may grow inward. The thick skin on the bottom of the foot often obscures the wart from view as it burrows beneath the layers, causing a lot of pain as you walk.

Plantar warts are a nuisance that can cause considerable pain and discomfort. They can be mistaken for skin cancer, so be certain to have them checked out by your foot doctor for the correct identification and treatment.

Treatment methods for plantar warts

●     Vaccine therapy—Human papillomavirus vaccine is very effective at killing the virus that causes plantar warts.

●     Peeling solutions—You can try applying this acid yourself at home to gradually peel away layers of the wart. People have varying degrees of success with this method.

●     Freezing therapy—Freezing the wart with liquid nitrogen is frequently combined with peeling therapy for the best result.

You can reduce your risk of developing plantar warts by taking simple steps to avoid coming into contact with the human papillomavirus. By practicing good hygiene and washing and drying your feet daily, and by protecting your feet with sandals in public areas and locker rooms of gyms, you can avoid getting this virus.

Conservative methods are sometimes effective, but it can be hard to reach the actual wart without removing skin. Your foot doctor can do this without causing damage to your foot. At Fit Feet for Life, our team of board-certified podiatrists has access to advanced technologies and years of experience to help diagnose and treat a variety of foot and ankle problems, including heel pain, sports injuries, toe deformities, nail fungus, and plantar warts.  Bonnie Sanchez, DPM, and Gregory Cook, DPM, provide high-quality foot and ankle care to patients in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area at our five offices conveniently located in Sun City Center, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and our two Tampa locations. Please contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment.