Q: How can I treat plantar warts on my feet? – B. Point
A: Warts anywhere on the body aren’t fun to deal with, but plantar warts on the feet can sometimes be painful and even spread. Plantar warts are hard skin growths that typically form on the pressure points of the feet like the balls and heels. They are caused by a viral infection in the surface layer of the skin; a strain of the human papillomavirus (HPV). Don’t worry: this is NOT the same strain of HPV that causes genital warts.
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Plantar warts are actually quite common, even in children. Most go away on their own within two years, but if you don’t want to wait it out or are experiencing issues, you can try these remedies:
- Duct tape: Put a small strip of duct tape over the wart and leave it on for six days. Then, remove the tape , soak the wart in water, and then scrap it with an emory board or pumice stone. Repeat until the wart is gone. This may take a couple months.
- Over-the-counter wart removal treatment: These nonprescription OTCs work 50% of the time.
- Freezing medicine: Cryotherapy is done at the doctor’s office, freezing the wart off with liquid nitrogen. This may require multiple visits until the wart disappears.
- Laser removal or minor surgery
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The virus needs a point of entry, so be sure to routinely check your feet for cracked skin, cuts and scrapes. A few tips to prevent plantar warts:
- Wear shower shoes in public showers and when walking around swimming pools and locker rooms.
- Keep your feet dry and clean
- Change your shoes and socks daily.
- Avoid contact with warts (even your own). No picking at your warts!
- Use a new emory board or pumice stone each time. Also, don’t use the same ones on your feet as you do on the healthy parts of your body, like your fingernails.
Visit the BlackDoctor.org Foot Care center for more articles.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ‘Ask Dr. Renee’. Follow me on Twitter @AskDrRenee and on my website.
