Plantar Warts
Warts come in many shapes, sizes, and varieties. Plantar warts are the pesky ones we find on the bottoms of our feet. They may start out as scaly or rough patches of skin that will not heal or go away after a period of time. Eventually, they may become more raised or pronounced and may even become uncomfortable or painful.
If you want to get rid of warts, you need to begin with prevention. However, since prevention is not always enough there are other options to combat your persistent plantar warts. If you suspect you may have plantar warts or are unsure of the type of skin lesion on your feet we can help.
What are the Treatment Options for Plantar Warts?
If you do end up with plantar warts, treatment is most effective the more quickly it is administered. If you wait, chances are high that the warts will spread and grow in size. So when you first notice plantar warts is the time to get them treated.
When it comes to treatment, you have options. Some doctors will always start out with a topical medication, such as salicylic acid. This medication is something that you can administer yourself at home and monitor your progress.
If it turns out that your wart problem will not go away, then others might turn to burning or freezing warts off, surgically removing them.
The most important thing to remember is to not engage in any “home surgery. Do not try to cut out, shave over, or cauterize the wart yourself. You can end up doing a lot of damage to your foot, including but not limited to getting an infection.
Additionally, some other bumps and lesions may resemble a wart but may actually be something else, perhaps a corn or a callus, so it is always best to seek professional medical attention instead of self-diagnosing.
How to Prevent Plantar Warts
Warts are caused by a virus, which means you cannot always see the problem before it becomes one. There are certain conditions that make you more susceptible to contracting the virus, such as using public gym showers, having an open cut or sore on your feet where bacteria and germs can freely enter, and spending lots of time in any other type of warm, humid environment where germs can replicate quickly, such as your home shower.
These tips can highly reduce the risk of contracting warts:
- Wash your hands. This one goes without saying, especially because we are dealing with another very dangerous virus. Keeping your hands clean is the most important first step. Wash your feet too, for that matter, especially if you have been in a place where you may have been exposed.
- Wear foot coverings. If you are using a public shower, for instance at your gym, never go in barefoot. Wear sandals, shower shoes, or anything plastic and durable that will protect your feet. They will also keep you fungus free!
- Don’t touch! Warts run rampant in children because for one thing they touch everything and also they do not have the strong immune system that we may have. If your child has a wart it is very important that you do not touch it and that you also encourage them not to touch it. Get them an appointment to see us as quickly as possible to stop the spread.
- Bring your own pedicure tools. Pedicures are a luxury that many of us look forward to. But did you know that spas and salons can be hotbeds for germs? Next time you go get your toes done, make doubly sure that your salon tech is using fresh, sterilized tools. Even better? Bring your own from home!
- Care for your feet. If you have a cut on the bottom of your foot or dry cracked feet it is very important to take care of that. Any open wound or area on the body is a doorway for germs and bacteria to get from the outside to the inside. If your feet are dry and cracked make sure you moisturize them daily. If you have a cut keep it clean and covered, especially when you are in a public space as mentioned above.
Get Rid of Plantar Warts with Expert Foot Care at
Crown Foot and Ankle
If you think you might be suffering from plantar warts, or are wondering what that skin lesion is on your foot do not hesitate to contact us. We can analyze and assess your foot condition and then determine the proper course of treatment.
Simply give us a call at (219) 257-0255 or fill out our online contact form to schedule an appointment today.