Say No to Plantar Warts

Prevent these foot growths and you’ll save yourself pain

Along with all its pleasures, summer comes with a few hassles, too, including sunburn, mosquito bites—and plantar warts. If you’ve ever had a plantar wart, you know these benign growths on the soles of your feet can be painful.

Plantar warts are flat (not raised) and can grow in clusters. The discomfort comes from the pressure of standing or walking on them. Plantar and all other warts are caused by human papilloma virus, says podiatrist Scott Lipkin, D.P.M., of Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network. The virus invades your feet through tiny cuts in the skin. Like any viral infection, plantar warts are contagious—especially in summer.

“Papilloma viruses are common at public pools and beach bathhouses, which may be why plantar warts can run rampant in places where people walk barefoot,” says family medicine physician Richard Baylor, M.D. Since most of us build immunity to the virus as we age, plantar warts are more common in children than adults.

Over-the-counter products like Compound W may get rid of plantar warts, but typically, you’ll need to see your family doctor, podiatrist or dermatologist. Treatment options include applying acid or freezing with liquid nitrogen to destroy the virus, laser treatment to cut the blood supply to the wart, or surgical removal. Your doctor will decide which method is best for you, and you may need more than one round of treatment. Plantar warts can be hard to eliminate because most of the growth lies under the skin’s surface.

To avoid the pain, keep your feet wart-free by wearing flip-flops or water shoes at the beach or pool.

Want to Know More about warts and the virus that causes them? Call 610-402-CARE or click here.

Published from Healthy You Magazine, July-August 2008

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