What are plantar warts?
Plantar warts are small growths that usually appear on weight-bearing areas of your foot, such as your heels, the balls of your feet, or the pads of your toes.
Plantar warts usually grow outward, but they can also grow inward since they develop in areas that bear weight. The warts aren’t a dangerous medical condition, but they can cause severe discomfort.
What causes plantar warts?
Plantar warts are caused by an HPV infection, which you can contract through small cuts or breaks in the skin on your feet. HPV is often found in warm, moist environments, making showers, swimming pools, and other similar public areas hotbeds for the virus.
Everyone’s ability to fight off HPV is different. Some people routinely come into contact with HPV and never develop warts, while others develop warts at the first contact with HPV. Luckily, the infection is an easy one to treat and avoid.
What are the signs of plantar warts?
Since plantar warts can grow outward or inward, it can sometimes be difficult to determine their presence. The following are the most common signs you should look out for:
- Small growths that are rough on the outside
- The appearance of a callus over a specific area
- Wart seeds, which appear as tiny black spots
- Tenderness when walking
Talk to Dr. Rhinehart about wart removal if you notice any of these symptoms.
What are my wart removal options?
After examining your wart, Dr. Rhinehart offers several treatments to removal your wart, including:
- Salicylic acid, which peels the wart layer by layer
- Cryotherapy to freeze the wart
- Laser treatment
- Surgical removal
Dr. Rhinehart only turns to a surgery if your wart doesn’t respond to other treatments. However, the surgery is very minor, and she performs it in her office while you’re under local anesthesia.
Can I prevent plantar warts?
Dr. Rhinehart recommends many ways you can prevent warts from developing in the first place, including:
- Keeping your feet dry
- Wearing sandals in public pools and showers
- Wearing clean, dry socks
- Covering any cuts you may have on your feet
If plantar warts are causing you discomfort or pain when you walk, call Francine Rhinehart, DPM or use the online booking tool to schedule an appointment.
