Effective Wart Solutions in Sugar Land, TX
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.
Source of the Virus
The causative virus thrives in warm, moist environments. 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.
It is important to note that warts can be very resistant to treatment and have a tendency to reoccur. 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.
Professional Treatment
It is possible that your podiatrist will prescribe and supervise your use of a wart-removal prescription. More likely, however, removal of warts by a simple surgical procedure, performed under local anesthetic, may be needed. 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 an effective way of eliminating wart lesions
Self Treatment
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 medicine.
- 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 contagious. Make sure you have your warts evaluated to protect yourself and those close to you.
The Swift Treatment System
Swift is a new treatment protocol for warts that offers our patients significantly faster, easier, safer, and more effective results for wart removal that previous methods, such as using peeling chemicals or cryotherapy.