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
Most warts are
harmless, even
though they may be
painful. They are
often mistaken for
corns or
calluses—which are
layers of dead
skin that build up
to protect an area
which is being
continuously
irritated. The
wart, however, is
a viral infection.
It is also
possible for a
variety of more
serious lesions to
appear on the
foot, including
malignant lesions
such as carcinomas
and melanomas.
Although rare,
these conditions
can sometimes be
misidentified as a
wart. It is wise
to consult a
podiatric
physician when any
suspicious growth
or eruption is
detected on the
skin of the foot
in order to ensure
a correct
diagnosis.
Plantar warts tend
to be hard and
flat, with a rough
surface and
well-defined
boundaries; warts
are generally
raised and
fleshier when they
appear on the top
of the foot or on
the toes. Plantar
warts are often
gray or brown (but
the color may
vary), with a
center that
appears as one or
more pinpoints of
black. It is
important to note
that warts can be
very resistant to
treatment and have
a tendency to
reoccur.
Source of the
Virus
The
plantar wart is
often contracted
by walking
barefoot on dirty
surfaces or
littered ground
where the virus is
lurking. The
causative virus
thrives in warm,
moist
environments,
making infection a
common occurrence
in communal
bathing
facilities.
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 us
as part of
your annual
health
checkup.
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.
Professional
Treatment
It is possible
that we 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.
-
-
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.
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