Plantar warts are warts that develop on your feet. They are caused by contact with a virus, known as the papillomavirus. You can develop plantar warts by going barefoot in public areas like swimming pools, fitness centers, and locker rooms. Your podiatrist offers several effective treatments to eliminate plantar warts. Dr. Jennifer Fung-Schwartz in Upper West Side, New York, NY, provides a full range of foot and ankle services, including treatment of plantar warts.
What You Need to Know about Plantar Warts
Plantar warts look like clusters of rough, hard bumps. They can resemble a callus and often have a small black dot in the center, which is actually a cluster of clotted blood vessels.
Plantar warts can form on many areas of your feet, including your forefeet, toes, soles of your feet, heels, or ridges and cracks in your feet. Children, teenagers, and people with compromised immune systems are prone to developing plantar warts.
For small warts, you can try over-the-counter wart removal products, but you may find warts grow back. A much better solution is to seek out professional treatment from your podiatrist. Common podiatry treatments for wart removal include:
- Topical salicylic acid to peel away the wart layer by layer
- Liquid nitrogen to freeze the wart, so it dries up and falls off
- Laser treatment to kill the virus with light and heat energy
Remember that plantar warts are caused by skin contact with a virus, so the best way to prevent plantar warts is to avoid going barefoot. Try to always wear shoes, especially in public areas where the virus can thrive. Also avoid sharing socks, shoes, and linens with other people.
Want to Know More?
To find out more about the cause and treatment of plantar warts, call Dr. Jennifer Fung-Schwartz in Upper West Side, New York, NY. You can reach her in the office by calling (212) 678-2333, so call today.