Foot warts, or plantar warts, are quite common, affecting about 10% of Americans. At Zimmermann Podiatry, the caring podiatry specialists led by Erik Zimmermann, DPM, understand how painful it can be to walk on your warts. In the Leesburg, Florida, office, the team offers effective treatments to eliminate the virus that caused the warts. Are you ready to walk without worrying about wart pain? Call the office or click the online booking button now.
request an appointmentWhat are foot warts?
Foot warts refer to growths on the bottom or top of the foot or on the toes. There are several types of warts that may appear on the feet, including:
Common warts
Common warts are what come to mind when most people think of warts. These fleshy, rough growths often appear on the hands, but can develop on almost any part of the body, including the tops of the feet.
Flat warts
Flat warts are small and smooth warts that aren’t as bumpy as common warts. They can appear on the arms, legs, hands, tops of the feet, and other parts of the body.
Plantar warts
Plantar warts are hard, small bumps that appear on the bottom of the feet. They’re the most common type of foot warts, and they look nothing like common or flat warts. They’re often nearly flat, due to continuous walking on the warts.
Plantar warts are round, may occur in clusters, and are often discolored and may feature tiny dark spots in the center (dried blood clots).
What causes foot warts?
Foot warts develop because of a viral infection: human papillomavirus (HPV). Microscopic cuts or abrasions on your skin allow the virus to penetrate and spread the virus. You can help prevent foot warts by:
- Avoiding walking barefoot
- Avoiding touching your warts and then a different part of your body
- Changing your socks daily
- Keeping your feet clean and dry
If you already have painful warts, excellent treatments can eradicate the virus, and you can then keep up with these preventive measures so you don’t have to revisit the problem again and again.
How are warts treated?
Unfortunately, over-the-counter foot wart treatments are often ineffective, and they can destroy the surrounding tissue without killing the wart itself. The Zimmermann Podiatry team uses proven prescription therapies instead, such as ointments or medication, to kill warts.
In severe cases, you might need laser cautery, a nonsurgical procedure that cuts off the wart’s blood supply, leaving it to wither.
If your foot warts are making life miserable, you don’t need to suffer anymore. Call Zimmermann Podiatry or book your appointment online now.
