Plantar Warts: 

Plantar warts, those pesky lesions on the soles of your feet, can be a source of discomfort and pain, especially when they appear on weight-bearing areas like the ball of your foot or the heel.

These warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and are characterized by a soft central core encased in thick, hardened skin that often resembles a callus. You might even notice tiny black spots on the wart, which are part of its blood supply.

While approximately 50% of warts disappear without treatment, some persist for years and may require professional care to alleviate your discomfort.

Treatment Options at Locke Street Minor Foot Surgery & Orthotics:

1. Over-the-Counter Wart Pads: These contain small amounts of salicylic acid designed to gradually remove the wart.
2. Topical Acids: For more stubborn warts, stronger concentrations of salicylic acid, cantharidin, or silver nitrate may be used to induce blistering and aid wart removal.
3. Cryotherapy (Freezing): Effective at killing warts but may be too painful for some, especially children.
4. Needling: Needling for a wart is a minimally invasive medical procedure where a healthcare professional uses a sterile needle to disrupt the wart’s structure, depriving it of blood supply and stimulating the body’s immune response to eliminate the wart.
5. Surgical Excision: Involves numbing the area, physically removing the wart, and applying chemicals to minimize the risk of recurrence.

Preventing Plantar Warts:

Here are some steps to reduce your risk of contracting plantar warts:

• Wear flip-flops or water shoes in public areas like pools, water parks, or locker rooms.
• Use clean socks daily.
• If someone in your household has plantar warts, make sure they wear protective footwear as it’s contagious.
• Avoid sharing socks or shoes with someone who has a plantar wart.

Warts can be notoriously resilient, often returning even after they seem to have disappeared.

If you’re struggling with plantar warts, consult a foot specialist at Locke Street Minor Foot Surgery & Orthotics. 

Our experts can design a personalized treatment plan to address your concerns. Don’t let plantar warts disrupt your daily life. 

Book an appointment with us today, and let our experienced specialists help you find lasting relief. 

Your foot health is our top priority.