Late summer is a time when people come in complaining of plantar warts. Unfortunately plantar warts are a virus and can not be treated by an antibiotic. If they could it would be a lot easier to get rid of them!
Warts on the bottom of the foot are called plantar warts. Plantar warts are sometime hard to get rid of. You will want to treat them as soon as you see them, to ease the symptoms and lessen the chance of spreading to other people. Sometimes we see whole families come in with plantar warts. So treating plantar warts sooner than later may avoid your family from getting them.
Plantar warts can be painful especially if they are on the bottom of your foot. Some people say it feels like a pebble on the bottom of their foot. Other people describe it as a stabbing pain. Either way they are uncomfortable to live with.
Often people get corns confused with plantar warts. A corn is a small area of thickened dead skin that forms a round hard core. They are also very painful to walk on, but they are not caused by a virus. They are usually caused by an underlying foot deformities or the friction of wearing shoes without socks . It is hard to tell the difference between a corn and a wart. It’s best to have a Podiatrist take a look at it and he will be able to tell you.
Ways To Prevent Plantar Warts
- Avoid walking barefoot
- Check your foot regularly to see if there are any new growths
- Keep your feet dry and clean
- Wear socks with shoes and change the socks everyday.
- Have Dr. Schlam check out your feet right away if you see or feel anything. The earlier diagnosis usually means shorter treatment time
Treatment Of Plantar Warts
- Acid treatment in the office along with topical drying medication applied by the patient daily, is a common treatment
- Excision of the wart which can usually be done in the office with local anesthesia.
- Laser treatment can be used to treat large clusters of plantar warts as an outpatient procedure.
If you have a wart and would like it treated give our office a call at (845) 298-9074 and we will be happy to help you.
Hollowbrook Foot Specialist serving the Hudson Valley from Wappingers Falls.
By David Schlam
