Warts, which are caused by a virus, can be quite
painful. They are frequently called plantar warts, because they appear most often on the plantar surface or sole
of the foot. The medical term is a "verruca." They can appear anywhere on the
skin of the foot or the hand.
Children, especially teenagers, tend to be more susceptible to warts than adults; some people seem to be immune and never get them. Although adults also get plantar warts, it is relatively uncommon.
Identification Problems
Most warts are harmless and benign, even though painful. They are often mistaken for corns, which are layers of dead skin that build up to protect an area which is being continuously irritated.
Although they are not overly common, it is also possible that a variety of other more serious lesions, including carcinomas and melanomas, can be mistakenly identified as warts. Because of those identification problems, it
is wise to consult a podiatrist about any suspicious growth or eruption on your feet.
On the bottom of the feet, plantar warts tend to be hard and flat, rough-surfaced, with well-defined boundaries.
They are generally fleshier when they are on the top of the feet or the toes. They are often gray or brown with a center that appears as one or more pinpoints of black.
Source of the Virus
The plantar wart is often contracted by walking barefooted on dirty surfaces
or littered ground where the virus is lurking. The virus is sustained by
warm, moist environments. If left untreated, warts can grow to an inch or more in diameter, and they
can spread into clusters of several warts.
Warts can last for varying lengths of time, which may average about 18 months. Occasionally, they spontaneously disappear after a short time. Perhaps just as frequently they can recur in the same location.
Tips for Prevention
- Avoid walking barefooted, except on sandy beaches
- Change shoes daily
- Keep feet clean and dry
- Check children's feet periodically
- Avoid direct contact with warts -- from other people and from other parts of the body
- Do not ignore skin growths or changes in your skin
Self Treatment
Self treatment is generally not advisable. Over-the-counter preparations contain chemicals,
such as a acid, that destroy skin cells. It takes an expert to destroy abnormal
wart cells without also destroying surrounding healthy tissue. Self treatment with such medications especially should be avoided by diabetics and those with circulation
problems which cause insensitive feet. Never use them in the presence of an active infection.
Medical Treatment
A preferred treatment process is called electrocautery or hyfrication. Using this method, the area of the foot is first numbed using a local
anesthetic. When the area is completely numb the wart is removed using an
"electric needle." The wart and the virus is treated. A small
dressing is applied. There is very little pain after the treatment, and normal
activities can usually begin within one day. The advantage of electrocautery is that it normally requires only one treatment.
Topical skin treatments are also available in the office. Multiple office visits are required and
recurrence of the wart is more common.
A laser can be used for wart removal, however it offers no better results or
less discomfort than other techniques.
