A wart is a benign or non-cancerous skin lesion that is caused by the human papillomavirus. Warts, also known as verrucae, are contagious in nature and can be spread from one person to another. They are classified depending on where on the body they occur and how they look. Warts on the bottom of the foot are called plantar warts. The word “plantar” is derived from Latin and means “of the sole.” A wart on the bottom of the foot can be quite painful especially if it is in an area that bears weight when walking.
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Symptoms
The medical term for a plantar wart is verruca pedis. These warts are usually flat with callus surrounding and have a cauliflower-like texture on the surface. They can be either brown, grey or similar in colour to a person’s skin and can vary significantly in size. Plantar warts can be singular or clustered in a group. Black dots within the wart tissue indicate bleeding from the tiniest blood vessels in the body and is a common feature of warts. Warts need a supply of blood to feed the virus and keep it alive.
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Causes
Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a viral infection that causes skin and mucous membrane growths such as warts. There are over a hundred different strains of this virus, but only a few are linked to warts on feet. Not everyone who is exposed to HPV will develop a wart. A weak immune system or a break in the exposed skin can increase a person’s risk for developing a wart. Warts are common in children and teenagers because their immune systems are still developing.
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Treatment
With warts, is a good idea to seek advice from a primary care professional or medical footcare clinician. At home treatment includes a medication called salicylic acid, that is applied to the wart as a solution or cream or patch. After application, duct tape is applied to cover the wart and increase the effectiveness of the medication. Other treatments provided by foot care clinicians at BioPed may include liquid nitrogen, Cantharidin or others. Professional debridement of the wart is also a key component. The type of treatment depends on the age, a person’s overall health and the type of wart and where it is located.
