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Warts
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
of black. It is important to note that warts can be very resistant to treatment and have a tendency to of
black. It is important to note that warts can be very resistant to treatment and have a tendency to
reoccur.
reoccur.
Source of the Virus
virus is lurking. The causative virus thrives in warm, moist environments, making infection a
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
Self Treatment
avoided by people with diabetes and those with cardiovascular or circulatory disorders. Never use
avoided by people with diabetes and those with cardiovascular or circulatory disorders. Never use
them in the presence of an active infection.
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. More likely, however, removal of warts by a simple surgical procedure, performed under
local anesthetic, may be indicated.
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.
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.
Tips for Individuals with Warts
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
of black. It is important to note that warts can be very resistant to treatment and have a tendency to of
black. It is important to note that warts can be very resistant to treatment and have a tendency to
reoccur.
reoccur.
Source of the Virus
virus is lurking. The causative virus thrives in warm, moist environments, making infection a
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
- Avoid walking barefoot, except on sandy beaches.
- Change shoes and socks daily.
- Keep feet clean and dry.
- Check children's feet periodically.
- Avoid direct contact with warts—from other persons or from other parts of the body.
- Do not ignore growths on, or changes in, your skin.
- Visit your podiatric physician as part of your annual health checkup.
Self Treatment
avoided by people with diabetes and those with cardiovascular or circulatory disorders. Never use
avoided by people with diabetes and those with cardiovascular or circulatory disorders. Never use
them in the presence of an active infection.
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. More likely, however, removal of warts by a simple surgical procedure, performed under
local anesthetic, may be indicated.
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.
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.
Tips for Individuals with Warts
- Avoid self treatment with over-the-counter preparations.
- Seek professional podiatric evaluation and assistance with the treament of your warts.
- Diabetics and other patients with circulatory, immunological, or neurological problems
should be especially careful with the treament of their warts. - Warts may spread and are catching. Make sure you have your warts evaluated to protect
yourself and those close to you.
| Advanced Foot and Ankle Specialists * Houston: 8200 Wednesbury Lane, Suite 210, Houston, TX 77074 * Sugar Land Location: 17510 West Grand Parkway South, Suite 440, Sugar Land, TX 77479 |
