Plantar warts are extremely common, caused by a highly contagious virus that enters your body through small openings and cracks in your skin. Usually located on the heels or balls of your feet, these bumps on the soles of your feet can cause irritation and discomfort or make you self-conscious about the appearance of your feet.
Board-certified podiatrist Jennifer Tauber, DPM, and the team at New Canaan Podiatry in New Canaan, Connecticut, know if you have a plantar wart you may be dealing with discomfort, pain, and the embarrassment of an unsightly growth on your foot. Our team specializes in the latest plantar wart treatments.
Here’s a closer look at plantar warts and the treatment options you have to eradicate these unattractive and highly contagious bumps!
How can I tell if I have a plantar wart?
The HPV virus (human papillomavirus) causes you to develop unsightly growths on your skin called warts. Plantar warts grow on the sole of your feet, but they don’t all look the same.
Sometimes you have one large wart, other times you may have a cluster of smaller warts. They may be on the surface of the skin, or your weight may push the wart to grow beneath the thicker layers of skin on the sole of your foot.
No matter what they look like, all plantar warts can make it uncomfortable or even painful to walk or stand!
What kind of treatment do I need for plantar warts?
Since warts are a virus, if you wait long enough your plantar warts will go away on their own as the virus runs its course. However, this can take months or even years! In the meantime, you may spread this highly contagious virus to other areas of your body or other people.
Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines can help, but they usually require diligence and patience to completely eradicate the wart. While there are many products on the market, most use salicylic acid in gel, liquid, or patch form, and it must be applied regularly. These treatments can take weeks or months to work.
If you don’t want to live with the pain and discomfort of plantar warts and don’t want to risk spreading the virus, the team at New Canaan Podiatry can help. Our practice uses the latest in innovative wart treatments to help you say goodbye to plantar warts.
Dr. Tauber begins by evaluating your feet and discussing any symptoms you have. She reviews your treatment options, taking time to address any concerns and questions you may have. Different treatments for plantar warts include:
- Liquid nitrogen freezing medicine (cryotherapy)
- Prescription-strength salicylic acid ointments
- Electrodesiccation and curettage
- Pulsed-dye laser treatments
- Immunotherapy
- Wart padding
In addition, Dr. Tauber discusses how to prevent future plantar wart outbreaks so you can avoid the discomfort and embarrassment of foot warts in the future.
If your wart starts bleeding, changes in appearance, interferes with your ability to walk, or if you have a compromised immune system, be sure to call Dr. Tauber as soon as possible to evaluate your condition.
Say goodbye to unsightly and uncomfortable plantar warts with a professional treatment from Dr. Tauber and the team at New Canaan Podiatry. Call our New Canaan, Connecticut, office at 203-263-9052 or book an appointment online now!