Plantar warts are abnormal growths on any part of the feet that bear weight. The pressure on your feet from your body weight causes the wart to grow inward under a layer of skin called a callus. HPV causes plantar warts. The virus makes an entrance through cuts on the bottom of your feet.
Symptoms of Plantar Warts
Symptoms that may persist are pain or tenderness in the foot when standing or walking is one example. A lesion on the bottom of the foot is another sign of warts that creates pain when pressure is applied to that area. A callus on your foot is the third and final symptom, resulting from the wart growing inwards.
Causes of Plantar Warts
As stated previously, HPV is the most common virus that causes warts. Minor cuts on the bottom of the foot allow the virus to enter. The virus most commonly thrives in warm and moist environments. Walking barefoot around swimming pools or a locker room can also cause plantar warts.
Prevention of Plantar Warts
The first and most significant way to prevent warts is to avoid touching a wart directly. If you do, be sure to wash your hands. Keep feet clean and dry; change socks and shoes often. Do not pick or scratch at warts. Avoid walking barefoot in locker rooms or near swimming pools.
Warts are nasty and painful. They are not aesthetically pleasing. Warts are not contagious unless you come into direct contact with them. HPV is the leading cause of warts, although any virus that enters the body through cuts or weak spots on the foot can cause warts. Dr. Schwartz is here and ready to help you win the fight against warts and make it a thing of the past.
32255 Northwestern Hwy. Ste. 195
Phone: (248) 419-3550
Fax: (248) 419-3547
