About all

Foot plantar wart treatment: Plantar warts – Symptoms and causes

Содержание

Plantar Wart Specialist – Cherry Hill, NJ: Family Foot and Ankle Center of South Jersey: Podiatry

What is a plantar wart?

A plantar wart, or verruca plantaris, is a small growth on the bottom of your foot. Plantar warts can grow anywhere on your foot, but they’re most common beneath the heels and other weight-bearing areas.

Plantar warts typically appear as small, rough, and grainy bumps on your foot. You may have a single wart (solitary wart) or cluster of several tiny warts growing close together (mosaic wart). The wart may have black pinpoints in the center, which are small, clotted blood vessels.

What causes plantar warts?

Plantar warts result from infection of the human papillomavirus (HPV). There are more than 100 types of HPV. Many strains cause warts to develop on various parts of the body. You may get plantar warts when the HPV virus enters your body through a small cut or crack in your skin.

The strains of HPV that cause plantar warts aren’t highly contagious, and not everyone who’s exposed to the virus develops warts. However, you may increase your risk of developing a plantar wart if you walk around barefoot, especially in warm, wet areas where HPV thrives.

When should I see a podiatrist for plantar warts?

Most plantar warts aren’t a serious problem. You should schedule an appointment at Family Foot and Ankle Center of South Jersey if:

  • The wart is painful and interferes with activities
  • The growth is bleeding or changes in appearance
  • You aren’t sure if the growth is a wart
  • The wart persists despite treatment
  • You have diabetes or a weakened immune system

There are many over-the-counter wart treatments available. If you’ve tried these without success, the team at Family Foot and Ankle Center of South Jersey can help.

How are plantar warts diagnosed and treated?

Your podiatrist can diagnose a plantar wart by examining your foot and reviewing your symptoms and medical history. If they suspect the growth could be something other than a wart, they may take a small tissue sample (biopsy) for lab testing.

Then, they recommend the best course of treatment for your specific type of wart. Treatment may include:

  • Prescription wart medications
  • Freezing (cryotherapy)
  • Laser treatment

Warts are difficult to treat, so you may need to try more than one method. If plantar warts are bothering you, call or book an appointment online today at Family Foot and Ankle Center of South Jersey.

How to Safely Remove a Foot Wart at Home

You’ve had it up to here with unsightly warts popping up all over your feet. From bumps in between your toes to sores on your lower pads, these hard, grainy growths are not only ugly, they’re also painful! While foot (plantar) warts are technically not dangerous to your health, they rub in your shoes and are tender, making standing or walking miserable. 

The good news is, plantar warts often go away on their own. The bad news is, without treatment, that can take a year or two! 

To eliminate their discomfort or aesthetic distaste, many choose to remove or treat their plantar warts instead of letting them naturally run their course. In this post, we’re looking at some options for saying “bye bye” to foot warts, for good.

Before Removing a “Wart,” Properly Diagnosis

You have bumps or growths on your feet, but are you sure they’re warts? Plantar warts are often mistaken for corns or blisters, which can take a similar shape and cause similar discomfort.

Because warts can grow inward in the presence of calluses (see picture below), they can also be easily confused with other foot conditions.  

All these conditions are treated differently, so before assuming it’s foot warts, read our Symptoms & Causes blog or seek a professional diagnosis. 

Understand that Wart Removal Takes Time

If you’re sure it’s plantar warts, the next step is coming to terms with the treatment timeline. 

Most methods for removing foot warts require several treatments, stretched over time. It’s not a “slice it off and move on” kind of situation. Foot wart treatments take several weeks or more to be effective, according to self-care advice given by The American Academy of Dermatology.

With this in mind, set the expectation that foot wart treatment is a long game. But when done right, it can foster long-term results— meaning, a lesser chance of recurrence.

Home Remedies for Plantar Warts

Many of our patients like to know their options for controlling their warts at home before seeking over-the-counter or professional removal options.  

Two big at-home remedies for foot warts are tea tree oil and apple cider vinegar. While neither can be directly linked as an effective treatment over long-term trials, both have been studied for their healing properties. 

Tea Tree Oil*

A now older 2008 study in the Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice journal used tea tree oil to treat warts on a child’s finger. Because both foot (plantar) and hand (palmar) warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), the theory is that the treatment method would be relevant for either. After rubbing the oil on the warts once a day for 12 days, the area was completely healed. 

Apple Cider Vinegar*

Another older 2006 study on the effects of apple cider vinegar looked at how “scattered reports suggest that the successive topical application of highly concentrated acetic acid solutions (up to 99%) alleviated warts… presumably due to the mechanical destruction of wart tissue. ” Translation: the acids in the vinegar helped to break down the wart’s tissue. Using apple cider vinegar to treat foot warts is inconclusive, but for those interested in home remedies, it might be worth a shot!

*Before trying any at-home treatments for plantar warts, we highly recommend consulting your doctor, dermatologist, or foot care specialist. Without proper counsel, you could mistakenly damage your foot tissue. With oils, for instance, every brand is different. Some oils cannot be applied directly to the skin without diluting or being used with a carrier oil. This is just one example of why it’s important to do your research or get professional advice before self-treating warts.

Over-the-Counter Wart Treatments

There are a number of over-the-counter that you can get at your pharmacy without a prescription to self-treat foot warts.

Salicylic Acid Pads & Ointments

This type of acid is used commonly in acne treatments, wherein it breaks down dead skin cells. While you can purchase pads with the acid to place over a wart, most OTC wart creams help to shed the skin around your warts, gradually. They also are ideal for those with many warts, as it can be applied over a general area. In contrast, the pads need to be placed directly on the wart alone, since the acid can damage healthy skin with an acid “burn.”

Healthline recommends applying OTC wart ointment to your plantar warts twice a day. Remember, it could take several weeks before seeing results. 

Freezing Sprays

Some opt for chilling sprays for a “quicker” turnaround time, sometimes eliminating foot warts in up to six weeks. 

Freezing sprays work by applying a liquid nitrogen mixture over the wart, which creates a blister-like injury. Once your body naturally heals the blistered damage over the course of a week or so, the hope is that part of the wart will go away with it. This treatment is sometimes repeated a few times until the wart fully falls away.

Professional Wart Removal

Sometimes plantar warts can be persistent, holding up against home remedies or OTC treatments and requiring a professional touch. 

In these cases, a doctor might use:

  • Prescription-strength wart medications. These may be pads or ointments that your podiatrist must prescribe for extra potency. As we explained above, products with salicylic acid or liquid nitrogen can be extremely damaging to healthy skin, so follow your doctor’s orders when using these higher-strength treatments.
  • Cryotherapy. This is much like the OTC freezing sprays mentioned above, except cryotherapy is performed by a trained professional. Wherein pharmacy sprays may only freeze your skin up to -70°C, cryotherapy often involves liquid nitrogen with a temperature of -196°C, according to Medical News Today. Overall, it’s a more effective treatment with a faster turnaround, but obviously with the additional price tag.
  • Immune therapy. HPV attacks your immune system. Taking some medications to increase your immune system strength may help your body to fight off warts. A podiatrist can advise on immune support for the health of your feet and ankles.
  • Surgical removal. A podiatrist may perform a minor “surgery” to remove your warts. Using an electric needle, the professional can cut them away, individually. Because this can be painful, your skin is often numbed for the procedure and there’s a risk of scarring, which is why it’s not a popular option.
  • Laser treatment. Lasers can cauterize your vessels so that when the infected tissue falls off, your wart sheds with it. This usually takes multiple treatments, over the course of a few months. Like surgical removal, this can be painful and cause scarring, which is why it’s not a more common method for removing plantar warts.

Ready for Professional Removal?

If you’ve tried natural home remedies or over-the-counter solutions to treat your foot warts and they just won’t go away, it might be time for professional care.

A podiatrist can not only properly diagnose your condition and treat warts, but they can also counsel you on the best practices for keeping them away in the future. From not walking barefoot in communal spaces to avoiding pedicures where the salon does not properly disinfect tools or equipment, our team at Foot & Ankle has all the advice you need.

Explore our Plantar Warts services or call 239.936.5400 to book an appointment, today.

Treatment for Your Plantar Warts: Jennifer Tauber, DPM: Podiatrist

Plantar warts are extremely common, caused by a highly contagious virus that enters your body through small openings and cracks in your skin. Usually located on the heels or balls of your feet, these bumps on the soles of your feet can cause irritation and discomfort or make you self-conscious about the appearance of your feet.   

Board-certified podiatrist Jennifer Tauber, DPM, and the team at New Canaan Podiatry in New Canaan, Connecticut, know if you have a plantar wart you may be dealing with discomfort, pain, and the embarrassment of an unsightly growth on your foot. Our team specializes in the latest plantar wart treatments.

Here’s a closer look at plantar warts and the treatment options you have to eradicate these unattractive and highly contagious bumps! 

How can I tell if I have a plantar wart?

The HPV virus (human papillomavirus) causes you to develop unsightly growths on your skin called warts. Plantar warts grow on the sole of your feet, but they don’t all look the same. 

Sometimes you have one large wart, other times you may have a cluster of smaller warts. They may be on the surface of the skin, or your weight may push the wart to grow beneath the thicker layers of skin on the sole of your foot.  

No matter what they look like, all plantar warts can make it uncomfortable or even painful to walk or stand!    

What kind of treatment do I need for plantar warts?

Since warts are a virus, if you wait long enough your plantar warts will go away on their own as the virus runs its course. However, this can take months or even years! In the meantime, you may spread this highly contagious virus to other areas of your body or other people.  

Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines can help, but they usually require diligence and patience to completely eradicate the wart. While there are many products on the market, most use salicylic acid in gel, liquid, or patch form, and it must be applied regularly. These treatments can take weeks or months to work. 

If you don’t want to live with the pain and discomfort of plantar warts and don’t want to risk spreading the virus, the team at New Canaan Podiatry can help. Our practice uses the latest in innovative wart treatments to help you say goodbye to plantar warts.

Dr. Tauber begins by evaluating your feet and discussing any symptoms you have. She reviews your treatment options, taking time to address any concerns and questions you may have. Different treatments for plantar warts include:

  • Liquid nitrogen freezing medicine (cryotherapy)
  • Prescription-strength salicylic acid ointments
  • Electrodesiccation and curettage
  • Pulsed-dye laser treatments
  • Immunotherapy
  • Wart padding

In addition, Dr. Tauber discusses how to prevent future plantar wart outbreaks so you can avoid the discomfort and embarrassment of foot warts in the future. 

If your wart starts bleeding, changes in appearance, interferes with your ability to walk, or if you have a compromised immune system, be sure to call Dr. Tauber as soon as possible to evaluate your condition.    

Say goodbye to unsightly and uncomfortable plantar warts with a professional treatment from Dr. Tauber and the team at New Canaan Podiatry. Call our New Canaan, Connecticut, office at 203-263-9052 or book an appointment online now!

Plantar Wart Treatment | Foot Doctor Los Angeles, West Hollywood, CA 90048

Plantar Warts Treatment in West Hollywood, CA

Plantar warts develop on the plantar areas of the feet, namely the soles or the bottom of the feet that bear weight. Sometimes plantar warts can grow in a cluster, which is referred to as mosaic warts. Though they are generally harmless, plantar warts can be very painful and can require professional help.

Causes of Plantar Warts

Plantar warts can develop when a virus enters through the skin, often by a cut or scrape. They’re contagious and typically spread in locations such as public swimming pools, communal showers, as well as your shower at home. Gym facilities and yoga studios may also be more susceptible to plantar wart breakouts due to their publicly shared spaces. Plantar warts are commonly found among children and those with weaker immune systems.

To tell if you have plantar warts, you should check the soles of your feet for bumpy growths. Sometimes these growths may come with a tiny black dot in the center. You may also have plantar warts if you experience pain when walking or standing up. Because plantar warts are easily confused with other foot conditions like corns or calluses, it’s important you seek professional help for proper treatment.

If you suspect you have plantar warts, you may have the following symptoms: pain or tenderness while walking, a lesion that interrupts the ridges in the skin of your foot, small fleshy lesions on the bottom of the foot, or a callus where a wart has grown inward over a well-defined spot on the skin.

Since plantar warts are caused by HPV, or human papillomavirus, and is very contagious, it’s important that you take certain measures to help avoid getting this condition. To start, you can do this by washing your hands frequently and drying them completely, since warts thrive with moisture. You should also wear shoes in public spaces like swimming pools and locker rooms. It’s important to avoid touching someone else’s wart or picking at your own warts as well. Along with not picking at your warts, it’s imperative that you refrain from shaving, brushing, or clipping areas that have warts.

If you’d like more information about plantar warts and how they’re treated, we recommend you speak with a podiatrist for professional guidance and care.

Plantar Warts – Beaver Valley Foot Clinic

Laser Treatment of Plantar Warts Pittsburgh 

 PLANTAR WARTS

At Beaver Valley Foot Clinic we offer Laser wart removal which is a kid friendly alternative to painful scarier options. Laser treatment for warts is well tolerated by even very small children (and big babies!). Combined with special acid to treat warts, the treatment time is cut down considerable.

For those busy patients who don’t have time for multiple treatments we have the one and done option. This entails the light numbing and surgical removal of warts all in a few minutes.

Plantar warts, also known as Verruca Plantaris, are small growths on the foot that develop after the skin is infected by a virus. They are a common viral skin infection generally located on the bottom side of your foot, also known as verrucca planteris or plantar warts, for which they are named. Plantar warts occur most commonly in children, adolescents, and the elderly, and approximately seven to ten percent of the general population suffer from plantar warts or a similar condition.

Plantar Wart Symptoms:

  • Black, small circles, often called wart seeds, but are actually known as clotted blood vessels
  • Tenderness, swelling or pain when standing or walking
  • Small, tough lesions on the bottom of the foot
  • Lesion that interrupts the natural texture and lines in the foot
  • Thick, hard callus covering a certain area on the foot, usually where the wart has grown
  • mosaic wart – large confluent area of multiple warts all running together

When to see a doctor

  • Lesion changes color or is painful
  • The pain interrupts normal activities
  • The patient has attempted to treat the wart but keeps reoccurring
  • Unsure what the lesion actually is

We’re ready to help.

Schedule an appointment with Beaver Valley Foot Clinic today.

Wart Treatment

The Swift® System: a revolutionary new approach to wart removal.

Warts, also known as verrucae, remain one of the most treatment-resistant conditions commonly seen by podiatrists. Treatments currently in use include uncomfortable cryotherapy and heat-based cautery. Both can cause unintentional damage to nearby healthy tissue, and in a substantial number of cases the warts return.

Topical acid solutions are another frequently encountered treatment option. These come in prescription and over the counter formulations. The stronger prescription topicals can be effective if used as directed, typically for weeks or months. Non-prescription varieties are almost completely ineffective.

Swift® Microwave Technology offers a welcome breakthrough which benefits both patients and physicians. It’s fast, efficient, and scalable to even the most high-volume practices. The Swift® System’s features and benefits include:

Convenience—Swift® treatment times are considerably shorter than competing technologies.

Consistency—the Microwave energy used to generate heat during a Swift® treatment can be controlled with extreme precision. Treatments never vary.

Cleanliness—the non-ablative heat produced by the Swift® System never produces smoke. Our disposable applicator covers are easily changed between patients, eliminating the need for sterilization.

Confidence—a growing body of research and clinical evidence support the effectiveness of Swift® Microwave technology.

No dressings—the Microwave energy used during treatment does not break or otherwise damage the skin. Sterile dressings may be applied but are not necessary.

No anesthetics—treatments such as cryotherapy and cautery are intensely painful and require local anesthetics such as Lidocaine. In comparison, Swift® treatments are often described as mildly uncomfortable for a period of about 2 seconds. Normal activities can begin immediately after treatment.

No contraindications—the Microwave energy used during treatments is non-ionizing. This means that it’s completely safe for all patients.

Only minimal debridement—more invasive options sometimes require a high degree of lesion reduction prior to treatment. Only superficial debridement is needed to facilitate contact with the applicator head, and the Swift® generator does the rest. This not only enhances patient comfort but speeds treatment time as well.

Surgery and Other Procedures

If the self-care has not helped, we recommend the following treatments:

  • Salicylic Acid – We use prescription strength acid medications to treat warts. It works by removing the wart’s layers a little at a time. This treatment also stimulates the immune system to fight against the wart. After the treatment, you should apply medication at home as directed.
  • Cryotherapy – We also use a freezing method that involves using liquid nitrogen to treat the wart. It’s used on a cotton swab or a spray. If requested, we can numb the area first. The liquid nitrogen causes a blister around the wart to form within 5-7 days. It can also stimulate the immune system to fight other warts. Some patients need to return every 3-4 weeks until the wart is gone.
  • Other Acids – We will shave the wart’s surface and apply trichloracetic or bichloracetic acid. Most patients need a few treatments.
  • Laser Treatments – IPL pulsed dye lasers actually remove the small blood vessels attached to the wart, which makes it fall off and die.
  • Immune Therapy – With the use of solutions and medications, the patient’s body will stimulate the immune system and fight the warts off.
  • Minor Surgery – The doctor will cut off the wart using an electric needle. This method is usually avoided unless necessary.

Some patients need repeat treatments to fully treat the wart as it may return.

What To Look For In A Wart Treatment

Since there is no cure for HPV, therapeutic options are only used to eliminate signs and symptoms of the wart. Therapies vary amongst patients, and often there is a combination of more than one therapy. Ideally, wart therapy is painless while preventing scarring and lesions. One to three office visits can offer HPV immunity in less severe treatments. Randomized controlled clinical trials are lacking, but lower extremity warts prove to be affected by therapies.

Plantar warts are a challenge for patients and clinicians due to a specific antiviral therapy not being developed. Treatment options include salicylic acid, bleomycin, cryotherapy, and surgical removal. These options differ in success rate and will be discussed with you during your doctor’s appointment. 

Sharp debridement of the wart lesion is necessary to remove the hyperkeratotic covering to improve topical therapy penetration. Debridement is considered for most in-office therapies, but avoid debridement if using a non-ablative laser. The target for these devices is oxyhemoglobin, and if blood is on the surface the laser may be too superficial to have an effect on treatment.

A Quick Word About Folk Remedies

Folk remedies include rubbing fruits on the wart, performing rituals with vegetables, and rubbing toads on a wart. These may seem foolish, but most warts have a finite presence and these remedies may coincide with warts spontaneous resolution. 

Mechanism of action is unclear but could be related to local irritation from the adhesive or occlusion caused by duct tape. In previous studies, it was difficult for patients with plantar warts to keep the tape on consistently due to hyperhidrosis and footwear. Duct tape may be a cheap therapy for those unwilling to seek medical treatment, but more research is needed on plantar verrucae.

The virus that causes plantar warts also needs to enter the foot through:

  • Scrapes or cuts
  • Dry skin cracks
  • Soft, wet skin that has been in water for a long period of time

     

Risk Factors

  • Patients with weak immune systems
  • If the patient has had previous plantar warts
  • Children and teens
  • Patients who walk barefoot in public places

When preparing for your treatment…

bring a list of your current medications and dosage and any questions you may have, such as:

  • What are all the treatment options for plantar warts?
  • If the problem actually is not a plantar wart, what happens next?
  • If a home remedy will work, how will I know when to call a doctor?
  • How long will the appointment take?
  • How can I prevent future plantar warts?
  • Be Prepared to Answer These Questions From the Doctor:
  • When did the wart appear?
  • Have you had plantar warts in the past?
  • Has it changed appearance or size since it first appeared?
  • Is it painful?
  • Do you take any immune system condition or take medication for fighting immune diseases?
  • Have you tried any other treatments for the wart?
  • Do you have poor sensation in the feet or diabetes?
  • Do you use public locker rooms, pools, showers or other places that could potentially harbor viruses?

Wart Removal Success: what’s involved in a successful wart removal treatment?

What is a wart?

Wart anatomy. Warts are benign skin growths that appear when a human papillomavirus (HPV) infects the top layer of the skin.

Warts are small, roundish growths that can technically appear anywhere on the body. In practice, they most commonly appear on the feet and hands. These lesions are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which enters through small cracks in the skin. Note that some patient populations are more likely to develop warts. These include:

  • young children and adolescents
  • older patients
  • Individuals with comorbid conditions, particularly diabetes.
  • patients with a compromised immune system due to other conditions or certain prescription medications
  • those with conditions affecting the integrity of the skin

Although warts are harmless they can cause discomfort when subjected to repetitive pressure. This is particularly true of warts on the soles of the feet (plantar warts). Yet even lesions which cause no pain may be cosmetically displeasing to the patient.

Either way, many new wart-sufferers find themselves wondering how long their condition will last. Some warts do go away on their own, without treatment. Others may persist for years without intervention.

In general, two types of wart treatments exist today. The first are self-care products meant to be used at home. These Over-the-Counter (OTC) preparations are available at any pharmacy. The second includes prescription medications and minor in-office procedures.

In reality, most do-it-yourself wart preparations are ineffective. Typically, those that do work must be used for very long periods. In almost all cases it is best to seek wart treatment from a trained professional. This is especially true for patients with other comorbid conditions. In particular, it is vital that diabetic patients with plantar warts should let a podiatrist handle the situation.

There are over 100 strains of the HPV in circulation today which are capable of causing warts. Together, they are responsible for several different varieties:

What to Do Prior to Treatment

Patients can try to use alternative medications like over the counter products. However, please ask us before you try anything, especially if you have:

  • Poor sensation in the feet
  • Diabetes
  • Immune system efficiency

If pressure along the wart is still causing pain, patients should wear shoes with cushions (like tennis shoes that support the sole). Avoid wearing high heels, tight shoes and anything that is uncomfortable on the feet.

Wart Prevention

  • Wash hands immediately after touching the wart
  • Avoid contact with the wart
  • Don’t pick the wart (this can spread the virus)
  • Wear shoes/sandals in public places especially at the gym or pool
  • Do not use nail clippers and other tools on the wart
  • Keep the area around the wart dry and clean; change shoes and socks every few hours

What doesn’t work:

  • *plantar wart duct tape therapy.
  • *foot wart home remedy treatments like apple cider vinegar.
  • *plantar wart medicine that is from the drugstore and works on fingers, but won’t work on feet.

HOURS OF OPERATION- call for an appointment
Same day appointments for emergencies
Evenings and weekend availabilities for emergencies

If you think you may have a plantar wart, call a Podiatry clinic for information and schedule an appointment today! 878-313-FEET (3338)

What makes Beaver Valley Foot Clinic special?

  • ABFAS Board Certified Podiatrist
  • Podiatry offices in Moon Twp, Cranberry Twp, Beaver and Ambridge
  • Experience of 23 years
  • Treatment plans tailored to each patients needs
  • Many unique nonsurgical options available
  • Friendly atmosphere and staff

FAQ about Plantar Warts, Beaver County

Plantar Wart Pittsburgh

Case Study #1

This patient presented for callus care in Moon Twp with a long history of pain while walking, even in shoes. The patient expected the Dr would shave it as others had done and it would continually return. However, if you look closely at the “callous”, there are small black dots under the callused over skin. In one visit we identified and removed the wart, which was deeply embedded under the skin. This went on to full healing and has not returned!

Treatment for Plantar Wart Sufferers

 Plantar warts are typically hard and grainy growths that appear on the heels and balls of the feet. Warts occur when the human papilloma virus (HPV) enters your body through cuts or weak spots on the bottom of the feet. Once plantar warts start to grow, they can take as long as two years to go away if not treated. Luckily there are plenty of treatments to reduce, remove, and prevent the inconvenience. Cryotherapy, also known as freezing therapy, is the most widely used method is removing warts, but it may not always work if the treatment does not reach the entire wart. Over-the-counter salicylic acids and prescription medications are also available aid wart removal process. If a plantar wart is particularly thick, a mixture of cryotherapy and salicylic acid treatments may ultimately do the trick.

Plantar warts can be painful and can worsen if not treated properly. If you would like to be treated for plantar warts, consult with Dr. Brad Bachmann, D.P.M. of Louetta Foot and Ankle Specialists, P.A. Dr. Bachmann will attend to all of your foot and ankle needs and provide you with quality treatment.

About Plantar Warts

Plantar warts are found on the feet. These warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) getting into open wounds on the feet. You can recognize plantar warts by a hard bump on the foot. They are usually found on the heels or balls of the feet. Plantar warts are usually not a sign of anything dangerous but do not ignore them if they do cause pain or embarrassment.

If you do have a plantar wart, you may notice some pain when standing but since these warts are not cancerous or dangerous, a podiatrist only needs to be seen if there is excess pain. Although plantar warts don’t often call for treatment, there are options available. They can be frozen off, removed by an electric tool or burned off using laser treatment.

Home remedies are also available to help with plantar warts. An apple cider vinegar soak can help remove the wart. You can soak your feet in the vinegar for 20 minutes before using a pumice stone to remove any loose skin from the wart.

For more information about Plantar Warts, follow the link below.

If you have any questions, please contact one of our offices in Spring and Tomball, TX. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle injuries.

Read more about Plantar Warts

Plantar’s Wart Removal & Treatment in Houston, TX

Do you have warts on your feet or toes that you want to get rid of? We provide comprehensive treatment for plantar’s warts and other types of unsightly foot growths. Dr. Ken Dennis is a board certified podiatrist treating foot disease and conditions like plantar’s warts with inpatient and outpatient procedures including prescription medication, formaldehyde topical treatment, cryotherapy to freeze the wart off, surgical wart removal, vitamin A therapy, tagamet, and even duct tape treatment. You may be a good candidate for one or several types of combined treatment.

Is Surgical Removal Recommended for Plantar’s Warts?

Dr. Dennis believes that surgical treatment should always be the last resort because of the increased risk of side effects and possible complications. However, most wart removal surgery is a localized outpatient procedure that does not require anesthesia, only local numbing agent. The reduced risk of outpatient surgery and cosmetic concerns most have regarding warts make surgical treatment to remove the warts the preferred option for most patients.

What Causes Warts on Feet & Toes?

A wart is caused by a virus. This virus is everywhere. It is on all of our skin, all of the time. It can not grow on the outside of the skin, it has to have a break in the skin in order to set up housekeeping. This is why they are very common on the bottom of the foot.

A foot is warm and damp and receives a lot of micro-trauma resulting in excellent avenues for the wart virus to gain entrance and begin to grow. Our immune system fights this virus similar to our body’s ability to keep us from catching the flu or a cold. This is why children are more susceptible to warts (their immune system has not been challenged as much). The wart virus is completely benign. If the area is not painful, and is not growing, a very reasonable treatment is to simply leave it alone. Often, they will resolve on their own over a period of 1 – 2 years. However, if they are painful &/or multiplying, they need to be treated. There are as many different treatments for warts, as there are wive’s tales about warts. The key to treatment is patience, persistence and follow-up. Patient input is critical to successful treatment, and to that end we hope that after reviewing the following treatment options, you will provide input during your follow-up office visits.

Common Foot & Plantar’s Wart Treatment Options

  • Keeping Feet Dry – It is critically important to keep the feet dry, because the virus flourishes in a damp environment. This is often as simple as spraying on antiperspirant spray on the feet. Each morning. Do not use powders. Powder is graded absorbing moisture, and then hold it next to the skin. The rest of the day. In extreme cases, there’s a prescription (Drysol) that can be used to help dry the feet out.
  • Formaldehyde– I often recommend applying formaldehyde solution over the area on a daily basis to help dry out the skin around the wart. It is applied daily after bathing. If the skin becomes dry, cracked, or uncomfortable; take a few days off. Some people only need to apply this 2 – 3 times each week.
  • Trichloroacetic acid – Acid concentrations found in over-the-counter medicines are normally ~ 40%. The acid used here in the office is over 90%. This treatment focuses on systematically trimming off the dead skin applying acid to kill the wart virus. The patient is seen in the office every 3 – 5 weeks, to remove the dead skin and apply the medicine. Home treatment in conjunction with this is critical to success. The benefit of this treatment plan is there is no pain involved therefore it can be used during an athletic season, for anyone who needs to be on their feet at work, or anyone who does not have the time to heal surgical treatment.

  • 40% Salicylic Acid Plaster – This is an over-the-counter application of acid similar to what is described above. Sometimes this strength of acid is difficult to find, so ask the pharmacist. This medicine is placed over the wart at night, and I recommend leaving the dressing in place literally until it falls off. Sometimes it comes off in the shower the next morning; sometimes it will stay in place for 3 – 4 days. If the area becomes tender, take a couple of days off. Every 10 days to 2 weeks an area of skin will peel off, and the process begins again.
  • Duct tape – There was a study in 2005 in the Dermatology Journal, which reviewed the application of a small piece of duct tape over the wart. The duct tape was left in place until it fell off; and then reapplied. The concept behind this treatment is that the adhesive in the duct tape is an irritant and as the body tries to reject the irritating adhesive, the virus gets caught in the middle and killed. The study showed almost 80% success with this treatment for 6-8 weeks.
  • Vitamin A – Vitamin A stimulates the immune system. This is over-the-counter; look for tablets that are 25,000 units. Take one pill each day with food for three weeks. This is a large dose of vitamin A, and therefore should not be taken for more than 3 weeks. DO NOT USE VITAMIN A IF THERE IS ANY CHANCE OF BEING PREGNANT! Vitamin A is more effective in kids than adults, but it can be a very effective adjunctive treatment.
  • Cryotherapy (Freezing) – The application of liquid nitrogen is a very effective treatment and is probably the standard of care anywhere else on the body. However, on the bottom of the foot, this can be quite painful! This treatment is used in the office, normally in conjunction with Trichloroacetic acid, but because the skin on the bottom of the foot is so thick, freezing can be uncomfortable. It normally takes 4 – 6 treatments to be effective.
  • Tagamet – Although this is an “off label” treatment, the use of cimetidine 200 mg each day for ~ 6 weeks has shown significant results in helping the body fight and resolve warts. This is available over-the-counter now, and all manufacturer precautions should be followed.
  • Surgery – Surgery (curettage) is the most effective treatment. Approximately 85% of the time, this resolves the problem. A local anesthetic in the area is utilized. The wart is literally “scooped” out and the base is cauterized. Soaking begins the next day and then covered with a Band-Aid. This is uncomfortable for 7 – 10 days after the procedure and most athletes will not participate in sports for at least 7 days.

Schedule an Appointment for Wart Treatment or Removal in Houston


Call Dr. Ken Dennis to schedule an appointment for wart removal surgery or treatment with a board certified doctor of podiatry. With over 40 years of experience treating warts on the feet and toes in Houston, Texas; you can rest assured that you’re making the right choice amongbfoot specialists in Houston.

Regional dermatovenerologic dispensary, Lipetsk

Plantar warts – unpleasant growths on the skin of the sole of the foot. The cause of the disease is most often the human papillomavirus.

Direct infection occurs in public places, where people often go without shoes. These are numerous fitness clubs, swimming pools, water parks, saunas and baths. Plantar warts are highly contagious. This explains their high prevalence.

It is worth noting that the incubation period for plantar warts can be up to several years.Thus, you do not know at what time you became infected.

Contributes to the occurrence of plantar warts Frequent wearing of tight shoes and poor foot hygiene, excessive sweating of the feet, diabetes mellitus, flat feet. In addition, numerous warts are a sign of a sharp decrease in immunity. What do plantar warts look like?

In principle, plantar warts are in many ways similar to common calluses. Usually these are small growths or skin defects that look like small sores.If you look closely, you will see the growth of the papillae of the skin, like tentacles. Both single and multiple warts can occur. They appear on any part of the sole.

It is especially unpleasant when they are on the skin of the supporting areas of the foot, that is, the places on which our foot rests while walking. Also, rather painful warts located between the toes.

The main symptoms of the disease are pain and discomfort when walking.In addition, the presence of the described formations on the sole is indisputable proof. Dermatologists are involved in the diagnosis and treatment of plantar warts. However, it should be noted that in some cases it occurs on its own without treatment.

The tactics of treating warts depends on the depth of the process. So, in cases of superficial warts, treatment with hydrogen peroxide, external ointments (colhalamic, fluorouracilic, solcoderm), podophyllin suspension, salicylic acid are used in the treatment.

With a deeper location, it is necessary to remove warts either mechanically (scraping with a Folkman spoon or using a surgical scalpel), or using a laser or radio wave devices. Freezing of warts with liquid nitrogen, cauterization of warts by electrocoagulation is also used.

When removing a wart, the material must be sent for histology . There is also a method of immunotherapy, when the wart is injected with immunostimulants, which allow our body to fight the human papilloma virus.However, the main disadvantage of this type of treatment is the painfulness of the procedure.

You can also use numerous folk remedies for warts. Treat warts with fresh milkweed juice, a mixture of salt and horseradish, a mixture of salt, saltpeter and vodka, apply raw potatoes, raw meat, etc. However, it is still not recommended to engage in independent removal of warts with the help of alternative methods, since it is dangerous for the development of complications and malignancy of the warts.

90,000 Publications in the media

Warts – benign skin neoplasms caused by various types of human papillomavirus (HPV). Frequency. Warts are a common dermatosis, 7-10% of the general population. The predominant age is – children, youth.

Classification • Palmar-plantar •• Deep hyperkeratotic •• Superficial mosaic • Flat (juvenile) • Genital warts.

Etiology and pathogenesis • HPV-2 and HPV-3 – common warts; HPV-1 – hyperkeratotic; HPV-2 and HPV-4 – superficial varieties of palmar-plantar warts; HPV-3 – flat warts • The incubation period is from several days to 8 months. The transmission path is contact-household.

Genetic aspects. Several hereditary diseases are known, accompanied by the appearance of warty growths on the skin, for example: • Epidermodysplasia warty (226400, r ).Hereditary predisposition to the development of multiple viral warts • Warty X-linked epidermodysplasia (305350, À ) • Van den Bosch syndrome (* 314500, À ): mental retardation, atrophy of the choroid, warty acrokeratosis, anhidrosis skeleton.

Risk factors – decreased immunological reactivity of the body, increased sweating of the hands and feet.

Pathomorphology. Acanthosis, papillomatosis, hyperkeratosis with areas of parakeratosis, vacuolar degeneration of cells in the spiny and granular layers of the epidermis.

Clinical presentation

• Common warts •• Single or multiple nodules 0.2–0.5 cm in diameter, hemispherical, clearly limited, dense, grayish-yellow in color, with hyperkeratosis on the surface •• Localization – easily traumatized areas, i.e. fingers, hands, knees.

• Plantar warts (horny wart, palmar-plantar wart) •• Elements of a rash. First, a small, shiny, subsequently keratinized papule or yellowish-gray plaque with a rough, uneven surface.The formation is usually solitary, but there are 3–6 or more warts. Small elements can merge to form a “mosaic” wart. Warts located in places of pressure are painful •• Localization: soles in the projection of the heads of the metatarsal bones, heels, toe pads, and other support areas of the foot.

• Flat warts •• Flat, clearly delimited papules with a smooth surface, 1–5 mm in diameter, rising 1–2 mm above the surrounding skin. Light brown, pink or normal skin color.Always multiple isolated elements arranged in groups; in places of injuries, a linear arrangement is possible •• Localization: favorite localization – face, dorsum of hands, lower legs.

TREATMENT

• Ordinary and palmar-plantar warts •• Intrafocal administration of IFN preparations 1,500,000 IU 3 r / week or 0.1% solution of bleomycin •• Rubbing in 5% fluorouracil ointment, perhydrone, 20% solution of iodophylline, 0, 5% colchamin ointment, 20% interferon ointment, cauterization with ferazole, trichloroacetic acid •• Freezing carbonic acid or liquid nitrogen with snow, electrocoagulation, scraping with a Volkmann pointed spoon, laser coagulation.

• For flat warts •• Inside magnesium oxide 0.15-0.25 g 3 r / day for 2-3 weeks •• Topically keratolytic ointments with salicylic and benzoic acids, tretinoin 2 r / day for 4-6 weeks, phonophoresis with 50% interferon ointment.

Prognosis during treatment is favorable, although relapses occur in some patients. In 50% of cases, warts resolve spontaneously.

Appendix. Keratosis seborrheic (seborrheic warts). Pigmented superficial epithelial rash that looks like slowly growing warts or flat papules of various sizes, of unknown etiology; formations usually occur in middle or old age on the skin of the trunk or temples. Treatment • The lesions are not precancerous and do not require treatment unless they cause pain, itching, or cosmetic problems. • Skin lesions can be removed by freezing with liquid nitrogen or by excision under local anesthesia.

ICD-10 • A63.0 Anogenital (venereal) warts • B07 Viral warts • L82 Seborrheic keratosis

90,000 Treatment of warts and corns in Rostov || Medical center “Centromed”

Plantar warts are an accumulation of keratinized epithelium on the plantar or supporting part of the foot.Human papilloma virus or HPV is involved in the formation of plantar warts. Often, the same warts are located in the rubbing places of the interdigital spaces.

Human papillomavirus has infected a large number of people. But the degree of manifestation of this disease varies in everyone.

So, for example, people with the most susceptible to this disease:

  • reduced immunity;
  • long-term and direct contact with the virus;
  • pronounced virus activity.

There are several hundred varieties of this virus. As well as a number of predisposing factors contributing to the development and progression of the disease:

  • frequent and prolonged skin contact with aggressive agents;
  • increased sweating;
  • stress and, as a result, decreased immunity;
  • poorly processed manicure tools;
  • non-observance of the rules of personal hygiene in baths and swimming pools;
  • tight and rubbing shoes
  • Frequent microtraumatization of the skin;
  • various diseases.

HPV penetrates into the deep dermal layers, where it multiplies and gradually emerges to the surface layers and appears on the skin in the form of keratinized skin.

Types of plantar warts:

  • ordinary or they are vulgar;
  • flat;
  • threadlike;
  • senile keratomas;
  • genital candidiasis.

Calluses – skin formations manifested by the accumulation of keratinized epithelium on the surface of the skin, not of viral origin and not transmitted from person to person.

The mechanism of corns formation is similar to the mechanism of corns formation, namely, it consists in a constant mechanical effect on the skin.

There is no significant difference between a wart and a corns, since patients sometimes present similar complaints, but they are visually very similar. An accurate diagnosis can only be made by a doctor, after a thorough examination and a detailed collection of anamnesis.

The most advanced and safest method of removing both warts and corns in the world is laser removal.(We have described the advantages of this method in previous articles).

Laser removal of warts and calluses must be performed by a qualified surgeon or laser surgeon.

In our medical center in Rostov-on-Don, laser removal of warts and corns is carried out with a modern German-made diode laser without pain, scalpel and stitches.

Make an appointment with a laser surgeon by phone

7 (951) 837-38-10

.