Warts are a common condition affecting different parts of the body. They are soft tissue growths that can develop on both the top and bottom of the foot. Warts on the sole of the foot, commonly known as plantar warts, can cause a lot of pain, particularly with walking, and require removal by a podiatrist Maryland professional.
Cause of warts
Warts are caused by a virus that typically enters the skin through openings such as cuts and abrasions. Plantar warts are generally flat, pale lesions with a loss of the skin lines and small black pinpoints. Warts that appear on the top of the foot or on the toes are usually raised and have more flesh than plantar warts.
How you get them
The virus that causes warts, known as human papillomavirus, can be acquired by walking barefoot. This type of virus lives in warm, moist conditions such as shared bathroom facilities. Warts tend to grow and spread in clusters through touching, scratching, and skin contact. Treatment is necessary to prevent warts from spreading and contaminating healthy skin tissue and passing the virus to other people.
Options for removal
While most warts can be harmless, plantar warts on the ball of the foot or heel can cause intense pain when weight bearing or when pressure is applied to the area. Wart removal becomes necessary to stop the pain, and options include:
- Topical medications, typically prescription
- Debridement and/or surgical excision
- Laser treatment
Laser treatment can be performed by a podiatrist Maryland clinic such as the Timonium Foot and Ankle Center, under the guidance of Dr. Jordan R. Stewart. It is a safe procedure performed in the office under local anesthesia.
Warts are very difficulty to treat and there is never a guarantee that they will resolve. Even after successful treatment, warts can reoccur after removal
Successful treament
Health professionals do not recommend self-treatment with over-the-counter preparations. Successful treatment requires trimming of the lesions every 2-3 weeks by a podiatrist. Your podiatrist Maryland professional has the skills and experience to remove plantar warts without damaging the healthy tissue around them.
Dr. Stewart uses various methods, including laser, to treat plantar warts. If you are concerned that you have a plantar wart do not hesitate to contact the Timonium Foot and Ankle Center.