That pebble that won’t shake out of your sneaker may just be a plantar wart instead! With the upcoming Knights of Columbus Holiday Run in Wappingers Falls this weekend runners often say that the most annoying thing that happens while participating in a race is getting a pebble in their shoe. When you shake out your shoe and nothing comes take a look at the bottom of your foot. Surprisingly, it might not be a pebble, but a wart that may be causing that feeling!
HOW YOU GET WARTS:
You get a wart from a virus called the Human Papilloma Virus, or HPV, which enters your skin through tiny cracks or scratches, most of which you can’t even see. Once inside, the virus can stay inactive for up to 20 months before actually forming a wart, although they usually show up faster than that.
The term “plantar wart” is used for warts that appear on the bottoms of your feet. Once you are infected with the virus and it becomes active, it creates a thickened, hard bump on the inside of your skin. It is frequently in areas that you put a lot of weight on, and can be very painful. People often say “It feels like I have a pebble in my shoe” or “I feel like I am stepping or walking on a rock or a pebble.”
HOW TO AVOID GETTING PLANTAR WARTS:
The best way to avoid getting a plantar wart is to be aware of where the virus lives. HPV likes warm, moist environments such as the floor of the locker room, public showers, and public swimming areas. Always wear shoes or non skid flip-flops in these areas to prevent one of these nasty viruses from getting under your skin.
The good news is that Hollowbrook Foot Specialists in Wappingers Falls, NY has a lot of experience with treating warts, especially plantar ones. After reviewing your medical history, we will discuss treatment options that may include in office application of a potent topical medication, or numbing up the area and removing the wart.
Warts in general are very difficult to get rid of, so it is a good idea to schedule an appointment when you begin to notice any symptoms that point towards a plantar wart. The best outcomes are usually seen in patients who get treatment early on.
By Dr. Yavor Geshev, DPM, FACPM
