Plantar Warts

A plantar wart is a skin growth on your feet that is caused by the human papillomavirus. The virus enters through a break in your skin and grows.  Warts are contagious.  They can spread to other areas and other people.

Symptoms:

• Plantar warts typically grow on bottom of foot.
• Appear as thickened skin and often confused with callus.  Skin lines are not visible in wart.  They are in a callus.
• Have black dots inside often confused with splinter.  Black dots are capillaries.
• Are flat or grow inward on bottom of foot.
• Can grow in clusters.
• Are painful especially when in weight bearing area.

Prevention

• Avoid contact with warts don’t touch or pick.
• Don’t walk barefoot in public places.
• Keep feet clean and supple.  No dry cracking.
• If you go for pedicures make sure the salon does not reuse nail files or emery boards.

Treatment

• Over the counter medications include variations of topical Salicylic acid. Liquids are typically 17% Salicylic acid and paste 40% Salicylic acid. The wart needs to be filed down prior to the application of the acid in order to be effective. Using more topical acid is NOT better.
• Dr. Scholl Freeze away.

Homeopathic Treatment

• Thuja
• Duct Tape
• Apple cider vinegar
• Tea tree oil
• ASA crushed
• Banana
• Onions
• Aloe vera plant

Medical treatment

• Cryo therapy
• Laser therapy
• Rx medications.
• Surgical Excision

*You can find several over the counter products for the treatment of plantar warts at footsupplystore.com

*If you would like to schedule an appointment with one of our physicians to evaluate and treat your plantar warts please call our office (numbers below) or fill out the contact form and we will contact you.