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 top or end of the toes are usually referred to as Common Warts. Even though they may not be particularly painful, they can feel itchy and may cause a person to feel self-conscious.
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Symptoms
The medical term for common warts is verrucae vulgaris. They are located on areas of the foot that do not typically bear the weight of the body. Common warts are similar in colour to a person’s skin, are small in size and appear as a visible bump on the surface of the skin. Common warts feel rough to the touch and are firm in texture. There may be black dots within the wart, which indicates bleeding from the tiniest blood vessels in the body and is a common feature of warts.
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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 usually the culprits of foot warts. 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
Warts don’t always require treatment, but since they are contagious, it is recommended. Certainly if they are bothersome, it 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, apply duct tape to cover the wart. This can increase the effectiveness of the medication and creates occlusion of the virus. Other treatments provided by foot care clinicians at BioPed may include liquid nitrogen, Cantharidin or silver nitrate, combined with professional debridement. The type of treatment depends on the age, overall health and type of wart.
