Warts

Walking barefooted in public places can sometimes be tempting. Unfortunately, most people don’t understand that doing so can expose them to developing plantar warts, especially if their skin is compromised. Similar to other types of warts, plantar warts are caused by a virus.

The virus known as Human Papillomavirus (HPV) penetrates into the skin via abrasions and tiny cuts that can’t be seen by naked eyes. If the virus gets through the skins and leads a wart to develop on the sole of the foot, then the condition is referred to as plantar warts.

It is important to note warts that develop in other parts of the foot are not regarded as plantar warts.

How do you identify plantar warts?

Most people who develop plantar warts never realize what is really affecting them unless they are examined by a doctor. Plantar warts commonly develop in parts of the feet that carry the most weight such as the balls and heels of your feet.

When a lot of pressure is exerted directly to where the wart has developed, you are likely to experience pain in that part of the foot.

Although they may cause pain, plantar warts are generally harmless. But it is important to have them removed for you to continue with your normal life as they tend to spread and be contagious to other members of your family.

There are several ways through which a plantar wart can be identified. Here are some of the things to look out:

1. A localized callus or a cluster of calluses
2. Growths or lesions on feet’s soles. This is normally grainy or fleshy in terms of appearance
3. A patch of skin that’s infected and causes the sole of the feet to break
4. Small black spots. They are sometimes referred to as wart seeds.These are actually small blood vessels that feed the wart.
5. Pain whenever pressure is exerted on the feet’s sole.

In case you or your children experience any of the above symptoms, you should arrange to see a doctor as soon as possible. Despite the fact that there are a number of home remedies, most of them don’t eliminate the wart completely.

Another important thing to note is that plantar warts just like other types of warts can be spread through direct skin contact or scratching.

If this happens, then the problem can worsen because different types of warts will develop. It is important to have a doctor examine your feet before the situation gets worse.

Other signs of warts that should raise concern include the following:

1. If the color of the wart changes
2. In case you have damage on your or suffering from diabetes
3. If the wart is causing severe pain

Located in Bergen County NJ (Fair Lawn, Paramus, Glen Rock, ….) and want to say good-bye to your warts? Contact Dr. Alex Tievsky today for help in determining what the best course of treatment is to get you started on the process of freeing yourself from warts.