One of the most common types of warts is hidden on the bottoms of your feet: plantar warts. The Family Foot & Ankle Center podiatrists are here to help if you’re walking on warts. They offer various plantar wart treatments in their offices to help you banish the virus causing the warts. Call the Upland, California, office now or book your appointment through online scheduling.
request an appointmentWhat kind of warts grow on the feet?
Plantar warts are small, rough growths on the bottom of your feet. They’re most commonly found on the heels and balls of the feet and can grow in clusters.
Plantar warts aren’t bumpy and rubbery like common warts; they’re flat and hard. This happens because you push the warts back into your skin when you stand or walk on them.
Walking on the warts ruptures tiny blood vessels in the area, so you might notice tiny black spots (dried blood) inside the warts.
Plantar warts can be painful, especially when they spread and form clusters.
What caused my plantar warts?
Plantar warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). The virus is prevalent, with most people having at least one of the 200-plus types of HPV at some point in their lives.
HPV invades your skin through tiny cuts, cracks, punctures, or scrapes on the soles of your feet.
Walking barefoot in the warm, damp areas where HPV thrives, like public swimming pools and locker rooms, is like an invitation to the virus. You can also pick up fungal infections like athlete’s foot and nail fungus that way
How are plantar warts treated?
It’s best to treat plantar warts when they first appear because they spread quickly. There are several treatments available, including:
- Freezing the warts off
- Salicylic acid to peel the warts away in layers
- Laser treatment to cut off the wart’s blood supply and kill it
- Surgical wart removal
Drugstore plantar wart treatments can be dangerous. The products often contain an unknown amount of acid, and it can be easy to accidentally burn off healthy skin along with the plantar warts. Treatment is best handled by the experts at Family Foot & Ankle Center.
After clearing your warts, be sure to follow the team’s recommendations closely to avoid another HPV infection. For example, wearing shower shoes in public areas instead of barefoot can prevent many plantar warts.
Plantar warts can make it feel like you’re walking on pebbles, causing pain and frustration with every step. Family Foot & Ankle conveniently offers effective plantar wart treatments in their Upland office. Call now for help, or click the online scheduling feature.