How do i get rid of a planters wart. Plantar Warts: Effective Removal Methods and Prevention Strategies
How do plantar warts develop. What are the most effective ways to remove plantar warts. How can you prevent plantar warts from recurring. What are the common misconceptions about plantar warts. Why is professional diagnosis important for plantar wart treatment.
Understanding Plantar Warts: Causes and Characteristics
Plantar warts are a common foot condition caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). These warts typically appear on the soles of the feet, hence the name “plantar.” Understanding the nature of these warts is crucial for effective treatment and prevention.
What Causes Plantar Warts?
Plantar warts are caused by specific strains of HPV. The virus enters the body through tiny cuts or breaks in the skin of the feet. Once inside, it causes rapid cell growth, resulting in the formation of a wart.
Identifying Plantar Warts
Plantar warts often appear as small, rough growths on the soles of the feet. They may have tiny black dots in the center, which are actually small blood vessels. Unlike other warts, plantar warts grow inward due to the pressure of walking and standing.
- Usually found on weight-bearing areas of the foot
- May cause pain or discomfort when walking
- Can appear singly or in clusters (mosaic warts)
- Often mistaken for calluses or corns
Treatment Options for Plantar Warts
While plantar warts can be stubborn, several treatment options are available. The choice of treatment often depends on the severity of the wart and individual patient factors.
Over-the-Counter Treatments
Many people start with over-the-counter treatments for plantar warts. These typically contain salicylic acid, which works by gradually peeling away the infected skin.
- Salicylic acid patches or liquids
- Wart-freezing sprays (cryotherapy products)
- Pumice stones for gentle exfoliation
Professional Medical Treatments
For more persistent or severe cases, professional medical treatments may be necessary. These are typically performed by a podiatrist or dermatologist.
- Cryotherapy: Freezing the wart with liquid nitrogen
- Laser therapy: Using high-energy light to destroy the wart
- Electrocautery: Burning off the wart with an electric current
- Surgical excision: Cutting out the wart (used in severe cases)
Natural Remedies and Home Treatments
Some individuals prefer to try natural remedies before resorting to medical treatments. While the effectiveness of these methods varies, some people report success with the following:
- Apple cider vinegar soaks
- Duct tape occlusion
- Tea tree oil application
- Garlic paste
Are natural remedies effective for treating plantar warts? While some people swear by natural treatments, scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness is limited. It’s important to consult with a healthcare professional before relying solely on home remedies, especially for persistent or painful warts.
Preventing Plantar Warts: Essential Tips
Prevention is key when it comes to plantar warts. By taking certain precautions, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing these pesky growths.
Hygiene Practices
Good foot hygiene is crucial in preventing plantar warts. Here are some essential practices:
- Wash feet daily with soap and water
- Dry feet thoroughly, especially between toes
- Change socks daily
- Avoid walking barefoot in public areas
Protective Measures
Taking protective measures can help shield your feet from the HPV virus:
- Wear flip-flops or sandals in public showers and locker rooms
- Don’t share towels or personal care items
- Keep feet dry to prevent skin from becoming soft and more susceptible to infection
The Importance of Professional Diagnosis
While many people attempt to self-diagnose and treat plantar warts, seeking professional medical advice is crucial. A healthcare provider can accurately diagnose the condition and recommend the most appropriate treatment.
Why Professional Diagnosis Matters
Professional diagnosis is important for several reasons:
- Ensures accurate identification of the condition
- Rules out other potential skin conditions
- Provides access to more effective treatment options
- Reduces the risk of complications from improper treatment
Can plantar warts be mistaken for other conditions? Yes, plantar warts can sometimes be confused with corns, calluses, or even certain types of skin cancer. A professional diagnosis can help differentiate between these conditions and ensure appropriate treatment.
Debunking Myths About Plantar Warts
There are many misconceptions surrounding plantar warts. Let’s address some common myths to provide a clearer understanding of this condition.
Myth 1: Plantar Warts Have Roots
Contrary to popular belief, plantar warts do not have roots. The perception of roots comes from the appearance of tiny blood vessels that feed the wart.
Myth 2: Plantar Warts Always Require Medical Treatment
While medical treatment can be effective, many plantar warts will resolve on their own over time, especially in individuals with healthy immune systems.
Myth 3: Plantar Warts Are Highly Contagious
While plantar warts are contagious, the risk of transmission is relatively low. Direct contact with the virus doesn’t always result in wart development.
When to Seek Medical Help for Plantar Warts
While many plantar warts can be managed at home, there are situations where professional medical help is necessary.
Signs You Should See a Doctor
- Persistent pain or discomfort
- Warts that don’t respond to over-the-counter treatments
- Rapid growth or spread of warts
- Changes in the appearance or color of the wart
- Warts in sensitive areas or that interfere with daily activities
How long should you wait before seeking medical help for a plantar wart? If a plantar wart persists for more than a few weeks despite home treatment, or if it causes significant pain or discomfort, it’s advisable to consult a healthcare professional.
Living with Plantar Warts: Coping Strategies
Dealing with plantar warts can be challenging, but there are ways to manage the condition and minimize its impact on your daily life.
Pain Management
To alleviate pain associated with plantar warts:
- Use cushioned insoles or pads to reduce pressure on the wart
- Apply over-the-counter pain relievers as needed
- Avoid activities that exacerbate pain
Lifestyle Adjustments
Making certain lifestyle changes can help manage plantar warts:
- Wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes
- Keep feet clean and dry
- Avoid picking or scratching at warts
- Maintain overall foot health through regular care and hygiene
Plantar warts, while often a nuisance, are a manageable condition. By understanding their causes, exploring treatment options, and taking preventive measures, you can effectively deal with these pesky growths. Remember, while home remedies and over-the-counter treatments can be effective, persistent or painful warts warrant professional medical attention. With proper care and patience, most people can successfully overcome plantar warts and maintain healthy, wart-free feet.
Plantar Warts: Prevention is Worth a Thousand “Cures”
Plantar warts are a common, frustrating problem, even with children. It’s better to prevent plantar warts or wait them out than try to cure them.
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This is how the symptoms start . . .
For a few weeks, I’d been complaining of a growing tenderness on the ball of my left foot. The tenderness gradually became real pain, until every footfall felt as if I were slapping the sore spot down over a small stone.
One day after a bruising long run, I pulled off my sock to show my running partner the spot, which had become a thick, white patch of rough skin that looked a bit like a tiny cauliflower floret punctuated by a pattern of small holes.
“Oh, that’s a plantar wart,” she said. “You probably picked it up in the YMCA shower room.”
So began my long relationship with plantar warts.
To get a sense of what (sort of) happened as my relationship progressed, check out Willie’s Wart before you move on. (For the second line, substitute “Under his big toe,” and for all the physician-assisted wart-removal treatments, substitute the word “I”)
A few facts about plantar warts
- All warts are caused by one or another of the more than 150 strains of human papillomavirus (HPV).
- Plantar refers to the sole of the foot, though plantar warts may appear on the heel, toes, or around the toenails. The same virus can also appear on the palm of the hand or around the fingernails, in which case it is called a palmer wart.
- Experts say the HPV strains that cause plantar warts don’t cause the more-concerning genital warts.
- Plantar warts aren’t malignant, and they don’t cause cancer.
- Plantar warts are contagious. Shaving, scraping, or picking at them can transfer the virus to other parts of the feet and hands. They can also be transmitted by the shoes and socks of someone with warts.
- Plantar warts are rarely painful, and usually disappear on their own in people with healthy immune systems.
Preventing plantar warts
- Don’t go barefoot in locker rooms, public showers, or on the tiled areas around swimming pools (public or private), hot tubs, wading pools, etc. Wear flip-flops or sandals.
- Don’t try on other people’s shoes (including shoes in a thrift store) without socks or nylon stockings.
- Don’t share towels, razors, nail clippers, pumice stones, or emery boards.
- Avoid direct contact with your own or other people’s warts. This really does include your own warts. Wash your hands thoroughly if they come in contact with a wart.
- Don’t pick at your warts, as this may spread the virus to your hands.
- Keep your feet clean and dry. Change your shoes and socks daily.
Getting Rid of Plantar Warts
My doctor froze off that first wart with liquid nitrogen, but it returned. After that, I spent three or four years trying various wart-removal treatments. Here’s a selection:
- I used over-the-counter salicylic acid products.
- On the advice of friends, I soaked it repeatedly with cider vinegar.
- I taped raw potato slices (then later, fresh garlic slices) over the wart.
- I smothered it with duct tape smeared over with vaseline.
- I used rough emery boards and pumice stones to try to scrape it off, then razors to shave it off.
- I tried pulling it out with sharp-pointed tweezers.
Not realizing the highly infectious nature of the wart virus, I ended up with many more warts, not only on my foot, but eventually around the fingernails of my right hand. I’d sometimes get rid of one or two, only to have other appear within a few days.
I finally returned to my doctor, who reminded me that most “successful” wart-removal remedies are serendipitous, as eventually the immune system wakes up to recognize those warts as invaders, and wipes them out.
He suggested I forego any more treatments, just try to forget about them, and I’d wake up one day to find that pouf! the warts would be gone.
And that’s exactly what happened.
I haven’t had one since, though I take exquisite precautions to avoid getting infected again.
4 Ways to Get Rid of Plantar Warts
Plantar warts can be a particularly painful
type of wart both for their location on the bottom of the foot and the fact
that they frequently are hidden by thick, callused skin in the heel and ball
areas of the foot. The pressure from your weight forces the wart to grow
inward, causing severe pain and discomfort. Often the only visible sign is a
small bump under the skin.
Plantar warts can be hard to remove, and they can also look like other,
more dangerous skin conditions like skin cancer, so be sure to have any skin lesions
checked out by your foot doctor.
4 ways to get rid of plantar
warts include the following:
- Laser therapy—A high energy laser is used to cauterize the blood vessels that feed
the wart, thereby killing it. - Cryotherapy—Your foot doctor carefully applies
liquid nitrogen to the wart to freeze it. The wart can then be broken off in
large pieces. Some of the other therapies can be used in conjunction to ensure
complete eradication of the virus that causes warts. - Medication—Since all warts are caused by human
papillomavirus, an antiviral medication is taken orally to fight the virus from
within. These medications may not be appropriate for all patients, so be sure
to discuss the matter with your podiatrist. - Acid treatment—A high strength salicylic acid
is applied to remove the wart in layers. As mentioned, home treatments of this
type are often ineffective due to incomplete wart removal and regrowth.
If you have a painful, hidden bump on the bottom of your foot, you may
have a plantar wart that needs proper treatment by your podiatrist. The foot experts at Desert
Podiatric Medical Specialists, in the Tucson, Oro Valley, and Green
Valley areas of Pima County Arizona, have unparalleled experience in treating
all aspects of foot and ankle care. Our team of doctors, including Christopher
M. Funk, D.P.M., FACFAS, Bradley A. Whitaker, D.P.M., FACFAS, and Peter C.
Merrill, D.P.M., AACFAS, is dedicated to serving you with state-of-the-art,
cutting edge medical technologies including the PinPointe FootLaser,
custom-fitted orthotics, and Radial Pulse Therapy (RPT) for chronic foot, heel,
or ankle pain. If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment, please call
(520) 575-0800.
Board Certified Podiatrist Foot & Ankle Surgeon
Plantar warts commonly develop on the bottom of the foot when patients get a viral infection within their skin. The good news about planters warts, is that the viral infection only gets in the epidermis, and it does not go down to the dermal layer of the plantar foot.
The problem with plantar warts, especially on the bottom of the foot, is that they can be very hard to get rid of. Because the epidermis is so thick on the bottom of our foot, over-the-counter treatments such as salicylic acid and freezing do not tend to work as well. These treatments can work better on other parts of the body, but on the bottom of the foot it often takes a stronger treatment to get rid of the wart.
We do not have one treatment that works every time for plantar warts to get rid of them, but the treatment with a high success rate for the bottom of the foot typically involves using cantharidin. Cantharidin is an interesting agent, because it is a blistering agent, and it actually is made from an enzyme that is found in the mouth of a beatle.
When we see people with planters warts that are not responding to the over-the-counter treatments, we typically recommend debriding the calloused tissue that has formed and then applying cantharidin. When we do this, it often causes a blistering reaction on the skin, but this is actually helpful because it helps peel off much of the plantar wart when the skin blisters.
We typically see this treatment work over time, but it can require several treatments to get the plantar wart to go away. If the plantar wart does not go away with this treatment, we can surgically remove the plantar wart and cauterize the remaining tissue to try to keep the virus from coming back and continuing to infect the skin.
Plantar warts can be very painful especially when they are on weightbearing surfaces of the foot, and if you are suffering from this, call your expert Colorado Springs podiatrists today at 719-488-4664, so we can help you!
Author
Dr. Matthew Hinderland
Board Certified Podiatrist and Foot and Ankle Surgeon
Foot and Ankle Specialists of the Mid-Atlantic
Skip info and go directly to treatment
General Information
A wart is a callus-like growth on the skin caused by a virus. They can appear anywhere on the foot, but those to the sole of the foot are called plantar warts, and can be quite painful. Warts can occur at any age, but are most common in children and adolescents. Plantar warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). The virus enters through small cracks in the skin, and often contracted by walking barefoot.
What are the symptoms?
- Callus with a cauliflower appearance.
- Pain with standing and with compression of the callus.
- Tiny black dots in the callus, which are capillaries of the wart, and may bleed if the callus is trimmed.
What causes warts?
When we walk barefoot where someone else has walked barefoot, we are sometimes exposed to viruses left on the ground by that person.
Normally, our skin is a barrier to foreign invaders like the wart virus. Because of the trauma (usually incurred by everyday walking) to the skin of our feet, however, it is easy to find a “crack in our armor”.
When this happens, the wart virus can gain entry to our normal skin cells, and quickly takes over that cell’s function.
How are warts diagnosed?
It is best to have any new growth examined by a podiatrist, or foot and ankle specialist, to ensure a correct diagnosis.
How can warts be treated?
There are various ways to treat plantar warts. The warts are very tough, however, and it is sometimes difficult to treat them so that they go away completely and don’t grow back.
Possible treatments include
- Place medications on top of the wart, to help kill the wart virus and remove the wart tissue.
- Freeze the wart.
- Burn the wart.
- Inject medication into the wart.
- Remove the wart surgically.
- Lasers that do not involve needles, cutting, or the application of medications.
You may get relief from the pain (from the thick skin that is actually the wart) by wearing a doughnut bandage. This type of bandage surrounds the wart, leaving a hole directly over the wart. Do NOT scrape or pick at the wart, as this can cause the virus to spread.
What can I do to prevent plantar warts?
Plantar warts occur more often in people who often walk barefoot.
Wearing shoes or sandals, especially in places like locker rooms, may help to prevent plantar warts.
Essential Oils For Treating Plantar Warts & Athlete’s Foot
Most people have suffered from some sort of infection throughout their lifetimes, and in most cases, that means that most people have also taken antibiotics at some point. While antibiotics are very effective in treating infections, they are often overused, and they can cause harmful side effects in your body. Are you someone looking for home remedies for athlete’s foot or home remedies for plantar warts? then read on.
Broad spectrum anti-fungals don’t just kill the bad fungi that is causing your infection; they also kill the good bacteria that lives on your skin. This can cause short term benefits but long term risk of re-infections due to the imbalance of your skin flora.
The great news is that there are more natural ways to treat some infections; in fact, Australia is the home of the best therapeutic quality Tea Tree oil. Did you know just how helpful this little oil can be when combined with Oregano oil for the treatment of Athletes foot and Verruca’s? These two oils, when combined, are virus-fighting warriors and pack a punch. That means you don’t have to use harmful or toxic over-the-counter or prescription medicines to get rid of some infections.
Essential oils are full of beneficial components, and some of them have been scientifically proven to be effective in treating infectious diseases. Oregano oil, in particular, is effective against bacteria, fungi, and viruses thanks to two of its main components: carvacol and thymol. Tea tree oil also has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it an amazing natural treatment for infections such as athlete’s foot and plantar warts.
Athlete’s foot, also known as tinea pedis, is a fungal skin infection. It affects the skin on the feet, where it most commonly appears on the skin between the toes. It can also spread to the toenails and hands. Athlete’s foot is contagious, and it is usually spread after being in contact with infected skin, or places where the fungus can thrive like swimming pools or showers.
Athlete’s foot can be caused by fungal species such as Trichophyton, Epidermophyton, and Microsporum. Its symptoms include red, scaly skin that itches and burns. Skin can also be blistered, cracked or peeled. When the toenails are affected, they become discoloured and can pull away from the nail bed.
Oregano Oil For Athletes Foot and WartsTea Tree Oil For Athletes Foot and warts
You can use oregano and tea tree essential oils as home remedies for athlete’s foot, combine 5 ml of coconut oil with 5 drops of tee tree oil and two drops of oregano oil. Rub this mixture into your feet twice a day. Continue the treatment for one week after symptoms cease.
After you have completed this treatment, follow these steps to prevent the infection from coming back:
- Make up an anti-fungal spray to spray inside your shoes and shower floors.
- Wash socks and towels in hot water washes.
- Put your shoes in the freezer for 24 hours.
Plantar warts, also known as verruca plantaris, are small, benign skin lesions which appear on the bottom of the feet. They are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), usually by the strains 1, 2, 4, 60, and 63. The virus enters the skin through small abrasions or cuts, which might not even be visible to the naked eye.
The infection can manifest as a single or solitary wart, or as a mosaic wart, in which small warts form a cluster. Plantar warts aren’t dangerous, but they can become painful and make standing very uncomfortable. The wart appears on the surface of the skin, and it can have tiny black dots on its surface. These dots are simply small blood vessels full of dried blood.
Essential oils can also be used as home remedies for plantar warts. In order to treat plantar warts with essential oils put 1 drop of tea tree neat onto the affected area. Depending on the size of the wart, use the end of a match stick or something the size of the surface area of the wart to apply the oregano oil. Oregano oil will burn the skin, so try to get it directly on the wart. Cover the wart. Do this twice a day. You will see the wart changing; keep going until the root of the wart has come out; the time this takes will depend on the size of the wart, but it is usually between 10-20 days. Continue the treatment for another week after the root has come out to prevent it from coming back.
If you are looking for a natural clinical solution then we recommend you read up on Marigold Therapy that is pioneered by Dr Tariq Khan who has a special interest in Plantar warts.
Guest Blog From
Tracy Goddard – Divine Oils NZ
Best way to get rid of warts | Planter wart removal
Plantar warts are small growths which occur over the plantar surface of your feet (soles). They occur mainly in the weight-bearing areas of the foot. Plantar warts are common in children and young adults, especially in individuals who walk barefoot and in people who have a week immune system.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the cause of plantar warts. When the virus gets in through a cut or damaged skin, it multiplies within to form plantar warts. Sometimes inward growths can lead to callus formation.
People often search for the best way to get rid of warts but most warts will go away even without treatment after 1-2 years. However new warts can appear nearby. You may want to get rid of them especially if you are cosmetically concerned or they disturb your day to day activities such as difficulty in walking and standing due to pain and tenderness.
Figure 1: Warts on finger
Figure 2: Warts on face
Treatment of plantar warts:
Plantar warts are not a serious health issue. You can let them be especially if they are asymptomatic as they are usually harmless. Even without treatment, they will heal spontaneously with time. Sometimes removal of them by yourself can cause more harm than letting it stay, especially if you do not remove it properly, so planter wart removal by yourself needs doctor consultation. The best way to get rid of warts is to try some of these home remedies, making sure that surrounding normal skin does not get damaged by your attempts. Damage to the skin can lead to infection.
Home remedies
- Home pedicures – Immerse your feet in a basin of warm water with a little shampoo. Leave for 10 -15 minutes. Gently smooth the surface of the wart with a pumice stone or emery board. Always keep separate tools for warts.
- After soaking the wart apply duct tape over it and leave a few days. Once removal of the tape can rub off the wart which is softened with a pumice stone. Repeat same procedure twice a week until wart is totally removed.
(Garlic paste or apple cider vinegar soaked an in a cotton ball can be applied over the wart and covered with duct tape, will help soften the area more than just soaking with water)
Over the counter products for plantar wart removal
If home remedies were not successful, there are products available over the counter which can be used to apply over warts every day or weekly (depending on the instructions given), to remove the wart layer by layer. It may take time to totally remove the wart, so one needs to be patient.
- Application of topical solutions containing 0.5-30% Salicylic acid – Salicylic acid is keratolytic which removes dead skin.
(Some OTC topical solutions are available with added tea tree oil and cedar leaf oil to salicylic acid which makes it more effective in wart removal)
Figure 3: Planter warts removal treatment
Figure 4: Planter warts
- Use of TCA (Tri-chloro acetic acid) to burn the lesion – This is a strong acid which burns the wart and kills the virus. So caution should be taken to apply it only over the wart. You may need the help of another person if difficult to apply it by yourself.
- Using plantar wart remover medicated patches and concealing pads – they contain salicylic acid as the main ingredient – these are safe and easy
- Wart remover sticks –has topical salicylic acid which is easy to use than applying the liquid solutions. Apply directly over the wart without touching the normal skin
Whatever the topical product you select, make sure that you comply with the instructions. When the medication is applied continuously the wart will die and the dead tissue can be peeled off within 1-2 months. However, if the normal skin is burnt, there is possible damage to skin leading to infection.
- Pain relief – when there is pain an OTC product like acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen or aspirin can be tried. Be cautious about the dose and frequency of administration. The pain medication can be continued even for pain following wart removal.
What can go wrong while trying out home remedies and OTC treatment?
- Damage can occur to normal skin surrounding the wart – make sure you do not scratch or attempt to cut the wart by yourself
- Pain during and after the procedure
- Infection and ulceration
- Recurrence of warts even after successful removal
- Can end up with scarring and change of skin color in the area – this can look worse than the original wart itself
How to take care during and after treatment?
- Always read the instruction leaflet carefully before trying any OTC medication. Comply with instructions
- Make sure you apply the liquid only on the wart and not on surrounding skin
- Use pain medication to help relieve pain (Tylenol, aspirin, ibuprofen etc.)
- Do not be overenthusiastic and burn the area too much
- Be patient – treatment takes time, you may have to wait at least 1 -2 months for complete wart removal
- If the skin gets damaged, keep the site covered with a plaster, clean and dry
- If infection sets in always seek help
When should you see a doctor?
- When the lesions are spreading and enlarges with time
- When it doesn’t respond to OTC treatment or becomes worse
- When plantar warts cause pain and tenderness which interrupts your day to day activities, walking, standing etc.
- When there is bleeding from the wart
- When the wart changes in color – turn purple or black
- If you are a diabetic – as diabetics have a loss or reduced sensation over feet, feet should be looked after well to prevent gangrene (dead tissue) or chronic non-healing ulcers.
- When you have a week immune system plantar warts tend to be severe and widespread, it is best to seek help
What are the techniques which a doctor will use for wart removal?
A doctor will use one or a combination of the following treatment options.
- Stronger peeling medications – Salicylic acid with a stronger strength (50-60%) can be prescribed. This will remove layers of the wart more effectively as it is stronger. Even this should be applied repeatedly to get rid of the whole wart and it takes time.
- Freezing the wart with Cryo therapy – The doctor will apply liquid Nitrogen to the wart. This burns and freezes the wart and forms a blister. With time the blister sloughs off along with dead tissue of the wart. May have to repeat the procedure twice a week, until all warts are removed. Sometimes paring the wart with a scalpel is done before applying liquid nitrogen for better results.
This method is painful. If the doctor is not careful, can accidentally burn the surrounding normal skin. Depending on the burn, if blisters are deep, one can end up with discolored skin and scarring. Due to pain, this method is best avoided in children.
- Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) – A stronger strength of TCA can be used by the doctor to apply on the wart. A wooden toothpick is used for this procedure. The wart will be burned due to the acid.
Pros – This is not an invasive method
Cons – This treatment should be repeated weekly for a month or so for successful wart removal. The person can feel stinging and burning sensation.
- Surgery – Depending on the size of the wart the doctor will decide on surgery. Although it is a minor surgery, it will leave a scar.
Pros – the wart will be removed in one go
Cons – May have pain during and after the procedure even with local anesthesia. A scar is left as a mark.
- LASER treatment – The LASER rays are used to burn and cauterize the blood vessels and tissues of the wart. Once the tissue is dead, it falls off eventually.
Cons – It is costly, painful and a scar will be left
If you attempted OTC medications but failed and infection and ulceration occur following treatment –
The doctor can arrange cleaning and dressing of your ulcer, prescribe a course of oral antibiotics if necessary.
Take home messages –
- Plantar warts are difficult to eliminate. Even after successful removal, they can recur.
- Be patient while treating warts as it takes time
Prevention of plantar warts:
As warts have a tendency to recur, it is best to try these methods in order to prevent getting them again.
- Avoid walking barefoot- Using footwear is advised when walking in common areas like swimming pools or locker rooms.
- If you have plantar warts do not touch them often. If touched wash hands well with soap and water to prevent spread.
- Keep your feet clean and dry
- Wear clean socks and shoes
- Look after your feet especially if you are a diabetic
- Do not share socks and shoes
- HPV vaccine – The vaccine is not proven effective yet, although it can be tried. However, the strains of HPV causing the plantar warts are not covered by the vaccine.
Are you looking for the best way to get rid of warts? Look no further than Tibot, our app-enabled with AI technology will provide you with the most probable skin condition. Download our app now.
Plantar Warts: Myths and Facts
Plantar warts are a common condition that have one of the biggest numbers of stories, myths, and “home remedies” swirling about them.
It feels like more and more claims come out of the woodwork all the time, and old ones are pulled back from obscurity to take a new lap around Facebook.
“Solve your warts with duct tape!”
“Clear your warts right up with apple cider vinegar!”
“Have you tried duct tape dipped in apple cider vinegar?”
(OK, we haven’t seen that last one. But we wouldn’t be surprised if it existed.)
What makes myths and stories surrounding plantar warts so pervasive? What’s actually true, and what are the most proven ways to take care of plantar warts for good?
Time Can Turn Anything into a Good Story
To understand why plantar wart myths persist so well, it helps to understand what is going on with the warts themselves.
Plantar warts are an infection of the human papillomavirus (HPV). Warts on any part of the body are caused by the same type of virus. The “plantar” part simply refers to their location on the feet.
The infection causes thickened, rough, fleshy growths on the feet (sometimes they will look a bit like calluses), usually in places where the foot has pressure against the ground (the base of the toes, the forefoot, and the heel).
Left untreated, plantar warts can remain on your foot for a long time. Some cases can last for a year or two! The fact is, however, that most cases will eventually go away on their own.
And that’s where the myths come in.
You know the saying, “a stopped clock is right twice a day?” That can fit for wart cures, as well. Someone can try all sorts of claims to get rid of their warts and, once they see them start to vanish, believe that the last thing they were trying actually had an effect. In reality, it was simply time taking its course and the infection passing on!
But the determination of finding a wart cure and the joy of seeing progress is plenty enough to plant the seed in someone’s mind, and we really don’t blame anyone for that. Add the fact that social media makes it easier for “lifehacks” to spread like wildfire and you get a very easy rumor mill, even though it is run by hearsay and nothing has been scientifically proven.
But I REALLY Think This is Going to Work!
We’re going to come right out and admit that we have healthy doubts about any big “home remedy” that is currently making the rounds. It’s sort of our job to only go with treatments that have been professionally tested and proven effective.
That said, if you really want to try a remedy or technique you’ve heard, there is not much harm in doing so.
HOWEVER, it’s important to follow some guidelines:
- Your plantar warts should not be causing you any pain or otherwise interfering with your life. If they are, it’s better that you contact us first and start addressing them with proven methods.
- The remedy you want to try should not require you to inflict any harm to your feet. If it asks you to cut your foot or apply something to your foot that burns, causes rashes, or anything else negative, don’t do it.
- Set a limited amount of time to see if the remedy has any effect—say one or two weeks. If you try it for 6 months, then yeah, odds are you may see improvement. They probably didn’t come from the remedy, though.
A Couple Other Myths About Warts
Here are a couple other common misconceptions about warts that can have an influence on how you look at or treat them.
Those specks you see are not “seeds” or “roots.”
It can be common to hear the tiny little spots you might see in a wart be referred to as “seeds.” What you are seeing, though, are the ends of tiny blood vessels that have been disrupted by the growth. There is absolutely no need whatsoever to “dig” these out.
Warts can actually be contagious.
Some people believe that warts are simply unable to be spread from person to person. This is not the case. While it is not as easy to give someone warts as it is a cold, it is still possible to give your case of warts to someone who is in contact with your feet or shoes. You should keep your footwear, including socks, separate from your family’s to be safe.
Warts do not come from frogs or toads.
We didn’t feel we could write about warts without bringing the granddaddy of all myths up. Touching amphibians will not give you warts.
Professional Treatment for Warts on Your Feet
If other treatments you have tried don’t work, you don’t want to bother with them, or you want to get rid of your plantar warts by a certain time, it’s best to come see us instead. We can help you get rid of your warts as quickly and effectively as possible—but don’t delay if you have a deadline!
Do You Need The Help Of An Experienced and Caring Podiatrist? Contact Our El Paso Foot Doctor Today.
If you’re experiencing any type of foot pain you should speak with an experienced podiatrist as soon as possible. Please contact us online to schedule your appoinment or call one of our convenient El Paso offices directly. To reach our Sierra Tower Building podiatrist office please call 915.533.5151. You can find driving directions here. To reach our George Dieter Drive podiatry office please call 915.856.3331. Driving directions are available here.
90,000 How to Get Rid of Warts | News and promotions of the European Medical Center “UMMC-Health”
Dictionary
Wart is a benign skin neoplasm caused by the human papillomavirus.
If you notice a sudden formation on the skin, first of all, consult a dermatologist. The diagnosis, when it comes to a wart, can be made immediately after examination, usually no additional research is required.
The doctor will choose what to do – observe or remove, it all depends on the place of its appearance and size.If the wart does not greatly spoil the appearance, does not interfere, you can wait – most often it will disappear on its own after 2-3 years. True, during this time it can increase in size, multiply.
Often it pops up on the soles or fingers, gets injured and causes pain. In this case, it is easier to get rid of it. Unfortunately, you cannot get rid of warts permanently. They can disappear and reappear in new places.
How can a doctor help?
Cryodestruction with liquid nitrogen
Cryospray or an applicator with liquid nitrogen, which has a temperature of -194 degrees, the affected area is instantly frozen, the wart is destroyed and dies off.This does not require anesthesia or any preparation for the procedure. And the process itself takes a few seconds. After 1-3 hours, the treated area turns red, a tingling sensation may be felt, after 3-24 hours a blister with bloody contents appears. And after 2-6 weeks, young tissue is formed in this place, so there are no scars. Unfortunately, the procedure must be repeated every 2-3 weeks, maximum six times.
Contraindications: acute inflammatory diseases, infectious diseases.
Radio wave surgery (Surgitron apparatus)
Radio waves are used instead of the usual scalpel. The surrounding tissue is not injured, a small wound remains in the treated area, which after a while passes without a trace. However, this procedure requires local anesthesia. The procedure takes about 20 minutes. From the pros – the neoplasm can be removed at one time. After this small operation, the area must be protected from direct sunlight for several weeks; for several days, the pool, sauna and solarium must not be visited.For about a week, you will have to treat the skin with an antiseptic.
Contraindications: presence of a pacemaker, diabetes mellitus, glaucoma, epilepsy, malignant neoplasms, infectious diseases.
Cantharidin preparation
The dermatologist makes the application with the drug, as a result, a blister forms under the formation, the wart is, as it were, burned. The painful sensations are not strong, mainly appear in the interval of 2-24 hours after application. After 5-10 days, the skin heals.Requires repeated sessions.
Contraindications: diabetes mellitus, individual intolerance to the components, pregnancy and lactation.
How can you help yourself?
Salicylic acid
Can be used as a patch or solution. Allows you to exfoliate the affected area of the skin. First, soak the damaged area in water for 10-15 minutes, this will help soften the skin. Then dry it thoroughly.After that, you can glue the plaster, but make sure that the acid does not get on the undamaged tissue. The patch is left on the skin for 12-72 hours. The procedure is repeated within 3-4 months at short intervals. In these intervals, it is necessary to clean off the keratinized parts of the wart with a file or pumice stone. There may be a slight irritation, some blood, which means the treatment is working.
Contraindications: neuropathy (damage to the nerves, due to which sensitivity is impaired), pregnancy and lactation.
Celandine products
In pharmacies there are many products made on the basis of natural celandine. First, grease the area around the wart with a greasy cream. Then apply a small drop of the composition and wait for it to dry. It is recommended to repeat the procedure 1-2 times a day for several days. The warts gradually flake off and then disappear completely. But if the dosage is incorrectly calculated, you can get a chemical burn, which will then heal for a long time, and then leave a scar or scar in memory of itself.
Contraindications: individual intolerance to the components.
Creosmesi
You can buy drugs that are similar in action to liquid nitrogen, but “warmer” (-50-55 degrees). You can get rid of a wart in 10-14 days. But it is worth remembering that too long exposure to the drug leads to burns and scarring. In addition, such mixtures contain flammable components.
Contraindications: delicate and sensitive skin, birthmarks, diabetes mellitus.
The article was published in the federal weekly magazine “Everything for a Woman”.
Text writer: Anastasia Merenova
Willow Borer – This is how you recognize and manage pests
in brief about the main thing
- The food activity of the willow moth caterpillar can be easily confused with the corridors of other tree species. However, the willow moth is not subject to notification. The native species attacks willows and poplars on damp trees.
- Caterpillars make their way into the wood of diseased trees and leave behind aft tunnels up to two centimeters thick and up to one meter long.Drilling holes in the bark, drilling dust and excrement crumbs at the base of the trunk, and the pungent smell of vinegar are typical. Caterpillars are not poisonous.
- The first step is to prune healthy wood. Quassia solution is the most effective means of dealing with caterpillars. Once they break into the forest, it becomes almost impossible to fight them.
- Females lay eggs on rough bark for caterpillars to burrow in wood. They develop and pupate over the course of several years in wood or substrate.
Are willow trunks subject to notification?
Willow moth caterpillars can significantly impair the resistance of an infected tree. They can wipe out entire tree populations in a matter of months. If the alleys are infested, there is an increased risk of wind breakage. The species is widespread in Europe and prefers to nest on old willows. It can also happen in the home garden.
also read
- Japanese maple – a portrait of a fascinating decorative tree
- Elder Gnome – portrait of a black sheep
- Cacti in a portrait – a profile to get to know
However, there is no need to report Willow Borers.There is no obligation to report. If you find a caterpillar feeding route, you should carefully identify the species. It is often not possible to clearly distinguish between the corridors of a willow planter and those of other logging pests.
Form of feeding channels | Specialty | Larvae | Notifiable | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Willow Borer | circular | Spun dust is carried out with manure 9012 red cap No | ||
Asiatic deciduous barbel | oval | Large drill shavings remain in the corridors | legless, with a brown chitinous plate on the chest in front | yes |
Chestnut drill | 20 only | first pink, then light yellow with black dots | None | |
Poplar male | oval | limited to poplars and willows | spherical, granular front plate | None |