foot warts Archives - Relieve Foot Pain & Leg Pain

What are foot warts and how do you treat them?

BioPed Footcare — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 19:24:45 +0000

As the summertime approaches, we are usually outside and around water more! Getting some sunshine and taking a dip in a refreshing swimming pool usually means our bare feet are exposed. Unfortunately, public spaces, such as a pool deck could be a breeding ground for skin infections and result in catching a common skin lesion, known as a wart.

Warts are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), and they are contagious, meaning they can be spread from person to person. They can develop anywhere on the body including the sole of the foot. Plantar warts are referred to as verruca plantaris in the medical world. They can be annoying and hard to eradicate, and children and teenagers tend to be more susceptible to contracting these foot lesions.

BioPed’s Medical Footcare Clinicians are trained and equipped to treat warts. They do however, commonly find their clients mistake warts for corns. It is imperative to know what type of lesion you have before starting any treatment.

What causes warts?

Walking barefoot on surfaces where HPV may be lurking will increase your risk for exposure. HPV thrives in moist, warm environments, such as pool decks, locker room floors and showers. There are over a hundred different strains of this virus, but only a few are linked to warts on the 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.

If left untreated, warts can grow and become quite large, and they can also spread into clusters of several warts which are called mosaic warts. Although rare, warts can become cancerous if left untreated, making diagnosis and treatment even more important. Warts and corns can be confused with each other as they often have a similar appearance. A corn is caused by friction and pressure and is related to the way we walk and the types of footwear we choose. They develop over time and typically do not spontaneously disappear.

What do warts look like?

Plantar warts are usually flat on the surface and may have a cauliflower-like texture. Squeezing or applying pressure at the sides can elicit pain. Plantar warts often contain tiny black dots in the centre. These dots indicate bleeding from the smallest blood vessels in our body and are a common feature of warts. Warts need a supply of blood to feed the virus and keep it alive.

How are warts treated?

If you suspect you have a wart, it is always best to have it assessed to figure out if it is in fact a wart. At-home treatments are available, but they need to be used with caution. Salicylic acid is a treatment that can be bought over-the-counter and is applied to the wart as a solution or a cream and is then covered with tape or a bandage.

If at-home treatment is not working for you, BioPed Registered Chiropodists and Advanced Footcare Nurses use a variety of treatment options that are not available at drugstores and often, not through primary care providers. To find a BioPed Registered Chiropodist or Advanced Footcare Nurse, visit www.bioped.com/locations today!

The post What are foot warts and how do you treat them? appeared first on Relieve Foot Pain & Leg Pain.

Foot Warts: What You Need to Know

BioPed Footcare — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 12:09:59 +0000

Foot warts are one of many skin conditions of the foot that can be quite painful. They are caused by a virus, called the human papilloma virus. It generally invades the skin through small or invisible cuts and abrasions. They can appear anywhere on the skin, but technically only those on the sole of the foot are called plantar warts. Children, especially teenagers, tend to be more susceptible to warts than adults; some people seem to be immune.

Are plantar warts contagious?

The plantar wart is often contracted by walking barefoot on surfaces where the virus is lurking. Plantar warts are highly contagious. The virus thrives in warm, moist environments, making infection a common occurrence in locker rooms, saunas, public shower facilities and around pools. If left untreated, warts can grow to an inch or more wide and can spread into clusters of several warts; these are often called mosaic warts. Like any other infectious lesion, plantar warts are spread by touching, scratching, or even by contact with skin shed from another wart. The wart may also bleed, another route for spreading.

Occasionally, warts can spontaneously disappear after a short time and just as frequently, they can recur in the same location. When plantar warts develop on the weight-bearing areas of the foot, such as the heel, they can be the source of sharp, burning pain.

Identification problems with plantar warts

Most warts are harmless, even though they may be painful. They can be mistaken for corns or calluses, which are areas of dead skin that build up to protect an area which is continuously being irritated. The wart, however, is a viral infection.

It is also possible for a variety of more serious lesions to appear on the foot, including skin cancer. Although quite rare, these serious conditions can sometimes be misidentified as a wart. It is best to consult a BioPed Chiropodist when any suspicious skin markings or foot pain is detected in order to ensure a correct diagnosis.

Plantar warts tend to be hard and flat, with a rough surface. “Black dots” can sometimes be seen centrally. On the top of the feet or on the toes, the warts are generally raised and fleshier. It is important to note that warts can be very resistant to treatment and have a tendency to reoccur.

Treatment of plantar warts

There are many over-the-counter wart treatments available. However, many warts can be stubborn and do not respond to the drugstore treatment. Our BioPed Chiropodists can use clinical strength medicines and special procedures to rid you of your warts once and for all.

Tips for prevention of plantar warts

Avoid walking barefoot, except on sandy beaches. Wear a supportive flip flop around the pool, in locker rooms, hotel rooms, showers and other public places
Change shoes and socks daily
Keep feet clean and dry. Use Footlogix sweaty feet formula to minimize dampness in a sweaty foot
Check children’s feet periodically
Avoid direct contact with warts—from other persons or from other parts of the body
Do not ignore growths on, or changes in, your skin
Visit your BioPed Chiropodist as part of your annual health checkup

Learn more about Chiropody

The post Foot Warts: What You Need to Know appeared first on Relieve Foot Pain & Leg Pain.