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Plantar Warts

Overview

Plantar warts are small, bumpy areas on the bottom of your feet. They typically appear on the soles and heels, the parts of your feet that take the most weight. Sometimes, the pressure from walking can cause the wart to grow deeper under a thick, hard layer of skin called a callus. These warts are caused by a common virus called HPV. This virus gets into your skin through tiny cuts or tears on the bottom of your feet.

Most plantar warts aren't a big deal, especially in kids under 12. They often clear up on their own. But if you want to get rid of them faster, there are things you can do at home, or you can talk to your doctor. These home remedies or professional care can help speed up the healing process.

Symptoms

Plantar warts are small, rough growths that appear on the bottom of your foot. They often show up near the base of your toes, on the ball of your foot, or on your heel.

How do they look?

Plantar warts can be a bit tricky to spot, especially on darker skin tones. They might look a little lighter than the surrounding skin. Sometimes, you'll notice a hard, thick patch of skin (like a callus) over the area where the wart is growing. You might also see tiny black dots, which are tiny blood vessels inside the wart. These are sometimes called "wart seeds." A group of warts together, called mosaic warts, can also appear on the sole of the foot. Sometimes, the wart will disrupt the normal patterns of lines and ridges in your skin.

When should you see a doctor?

It's a good idea to see your doctor if you notice a growth on your foot that:

  • Is bleeding or painful.
  • Changes size, shape, or color.
  • Doesn't go away after you've tried to treat it. If the wart gets bigger, spreads, or comes back after it seemed to clear up, that's a reason to see a doctor.
  • Causes you pain that interferes with your daily activities.
  • If you have diabetes or a condition that makes your feet feel numb.
  • If you have a weakened immune system. This could be due to medications that suppress your immune system, HIV/AIDS, or another immune disorder.
  • If you're unsure if the growth is a wart.

Seeing a healthcare professional is important to get an accurate diagnosis and the best treatment plan for your specific situation.

When to see a doctor

See a doctor about a growth on your foot if:

  • It's causing problems: If the growth is bleeding, hurts, or is changing shape or color, it's a sign something might be wrong. This could be more than just a common wart.

  • You've tried to treat it and it won't go away: If you've tried home remedies or over-the-counter treatments for a wart and it keeps coming back, getting bigger, or keeps reappearing after it seemed to clear up, see a doctor. This could mean it's something else.

  • The pain is affecting your daily life: If the pain from the growth is making it hard to do everyday things, don't ignore it. See a doctor to find the best way to manage the pain and the growth.

  • You have diabetes or poor feeling in your feet: People with diabetes or nerve damage in their feet are at a higher risk of problems with foot sores and infections. Any growth on the foot in these cases needs a doctor's evaluation. Early diagnosis and treatment are important to prevent more serious complications.

  • You're not sure what it is: If you're unsure if the growth is a wart or something else, it's best to get it checked by a doctor. They can properly diagnose the condition and recommend the best course of action.

Causes

Plantar warts are skin infections on the soles of your feet. They happen when a type of human papillomavirus (HPV) enters your skin through small cuts, scrapes, or weak spots. These warts can last for a few months to two years in kids, and sometimes for several years in adults if left untreated.

HPV is a very common virus, with over 100 different types. Only a small number of these types cause plantar warts. Other types of HPV can cause warts on other parts of your body, like your hands, or on the linings of your nose, mouth, or other body openings.

Different people's immune systems react differently to HPV. Not everyone who touches the virus will get a wart. Even siblings or family members might have different reactions to the same exposure.

The types of HPV that cause plantar warts aren't super contagious. You're not likely to get a wart just from touching someone with one. However, the virus thrives in warm, damp environments. This means you might get it by walking barefoot in public places like swimming pools or locker rooms where the virus can live and spread. If the virus infects a new area, more warts can develop.

Risk factors

Plantar warts can affect anyone, but some people are more likely to get them. These include:

  • Kids and teens: Their skin is often more exposed and their immune systems might not be as strong as adults'.

  • People with weakened immune systems: A weakened immune system makes it harder for the body to fight off infections, including the virus that causes plantar warts. This could be due to conditions like HIV/AIDS, certain medications, or other health issues.

  • People who've had plantar warts before: Your body might not fully remember how to fight off the virus the first time, making you more susceptible to getting them again.

  • People who go barefoot in places with lots of the wart-causing virus: Places like locker rooms, swimming pools, and public showers can have the virus that causes plantar warts on the floor. Touching these surfaces without shoes puts you at a higher risk. The virus spreads easily from person to person through contact.

Complications

Plantar warts can be painful. When they hurt, you might unconsciously change how you walk or stand. This altered way of moving can lead to aches and pains in your muscles and joints. For example, you might shift your weight more on one foot, or change the way you place your foot on the ground. These adjustments, though seemingly small, can create problems over time.

Prevention

To keep plantar warts away:

It's important to avoid touching warts, especially your own. If you do touch a wart, wash your hands thoroughly. This helps stop the virus that causes warts from spreading.

Keeping your feet clean and dry is also a good idea. This helps prevent the wart-causing virus from thriving.

When you're in public places like swimming pools, locker rooms, or gym showers, protect your feet. Wear sandals or similar footwear. Sharing shoes or going barefoot in these areas can spread the virus.

Don't try to pick or scratch at your warts. This can make them worse and spread the infection.

If you use tools like emery boards, pumice stones, or nail clippers on your warts, only use them on the wart area. Don't use these tools on healthy skin or nails. This prevents the virus from spreading to other parts of your body.

Diagnosis

Doctors typically diagnose plantar warts by examining them visually. Sometimes, a doctor will gently remove the top layer of the wart with a small knife (scalpel) to look for tiny, dark spots. These spots are small, clotted blood vessels. Another way to diagnose a plantar wart is to take a small piece of the wart and send it to a lab for testing.

Treatment

Plantar warts are often harmless and may go away on their own, sometimes taking a year or more, especially in adults. If you'd like to get rid of a plantar wart faster than waiting, and home remedies aren't working, talk to your doctor. Several treatment options are available:

Freezing (Cryotherapy):

This clinic-based treatment uses liquid nitrogen to freeze the wart. It's applied with a spray or a cotton swab. Your doctor might numb the area first to make it less painful. Freezing creates a blister around the wart, and the dead tissue usually falls off within a week or so. This method can also help boost your body's immune response to fight the virus that causes the wart. You may need several treatments, spaced 2-3 weeks apart, until the wart is gone. Potential side effects include pain, blisters, and possible changes in skin color (lighter or darker), especially for people with darker skin tones.

Peeling Medicine (Salicylic Acid):

Stronger salicylic acid medications, available by prescription, gradually remove layers of the wart. They can also help your immune system fight the infection. Your doctor will likely have you apply the medication at home, and you might need follow-up visits. This treatment can take several weeks to clear the wart completely.

Other Treatment Options (if the above don't work):

  • Minor Surgery: Your doctor might surgically remove the wart or use an electric needle to burn it away. A local anesthetic is used to numb the area, but there's a chance of scarring, especially on the bottom of the foot, which can be painful for a long time. This is usually a last resort.

  • Blistering Medicine (Cantharidin): A blister-inducing medication (cantharidin) is applied to create a blister beneath the wart. A week later, the dead wart is removed.

  • Immune Therapy: This treatment aims to stimulate your immune system to fight the wart. It might involve injecting a foreign substance (antigen) into the wart or applying a solution or cream.

  • Laser Treatment: A laser is used to cauterize (burn) tiny blood vessels in the wart. This damages the infected tissue, and the wart eventually falls off. Multiple treatments, spaced 2-4 weeks apart, may be necessary. Local anesthetic is usually used.

  • Vaccine: While not specifically for plantar warts, the HPV vaccine has been used to treat some types of warts, including plantar warts, in some cases.

Important Note: If a wart goes away and then returns, it could be because the area was re-exposed to the HPV virus.

Preparing for your appointment

Dealing with a Foot Wart? Here's How to Prepare for Your Doctor's Visit

If you think you have a foot wart, you'll likely first see your primary doctor. They might then send you to a dermatologist (skin doctor) or a podiatrist (foot doctor). Here's how to get ready for your appointment:

What to Bring:

  • Medication list: Write down every medicine you take, even over-the-counter drugs and supplements. Include the dose (how much) you take each day.
  • Questions: Prepare a list of questions for your doctor. For example:
    • "Can I try home remedies for plantar warts first?"
    • "If I use a home treatment, when should I call you?"
    • "What if the first treatment doesn't work?"
    • "If it's not a wart, what tests will you do?"
    • "How long will it take to get results?"
    • "How can I prevent warts in the future?"

What to Expect from Your Doctor:

Your doctor will likely ask you questions like:

  • When did you first notice the wart?
  • Has the wart changed size, color, or shape?
  • Does it hurt?
  • Have you had warts before?
  • Do you have diabetes or numbness in your feet?
  • Do you have a condition or take medicine that weakens your body's ability to fight off illness (weakened immune system)?
  • Have you tried any home remedies? If so, for how long, and did they help?
  • Do you spend time in places with shared surfaces like pools or locker rooms (where warts can spread)?

What You Can Do in the Meantime:

If you're pretty sure you have a plantar wart, you might try some over-the-counter remedies or alternative treatments. However, it's crucial to talk to your doctor first if you have:

  • Diabetes
  • Numbness or decreased feeling in your feet
  • A weakened immune system

If the wart is painful when pressed, try wearing comfortable shoes that cushion your feet well, like athletic shoes. Avoid tight or uncomfortable shoes.

This information is for general knowledge and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional for any health concerns.

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