Are you dealing with uncomfortable and unsightly warts on your feet? You're not alone! Foot warts, or plantar warts, are common and are caused by the human papillomavirus or HPV infection.
Fortunately, understanding how warts form can help you more quickly get rid of warts. Here is a simple guide on everything you need to know about plantar warts and what to do about them.
Where Do Warts Come From?
Most often, warts on feet are caused by the human papillomavirus entering into small cuts, dry cracks, or abrasions on the foot. Remember how your mother told you going barefoot isn't safe? She was on to something.
HPV infections often occur in unclean settings where you may find yourself without shoes. Common locations include gym locker rooms, public pool decks, or even seemingly clean hotel rooms.
These small, fleshy growths on your feet can be uncomfortable at best and often quite painful. Plantar warts may have a small black point where the blood vessels inside have clotted.
It only takes one minuscule cut, crack, or opening on your foot to allow the HPV infection to take up residence. Once that happens, warts on your feet can multiply quickly.
How to Prevent Warts on Feet
The best prevention for plantar warts is to keep your feet clean. If you must use the gym locker room, either wear flip-flops in the shower or be sure and scour your feet after each workout.
Additionally, avoid going barefoot in hotels or other public places.
Keeping your feet clean and moisturized can also help prevent cracking where the HPV can enter and begin to multiply in the form of wart clusters.
Interestingly, not everyone gets warts. Genetics come into play to some degree. If you have a family history of getting warts, you are more likely to see them.
The most impactful cause is a compromised immune system. This is why young children tend to get warts on their feet more often. They are still working on ramping up and fortifying a robust immune system.
Thus, another great prevention method is to stay healthy and keep that immune system in great working order.
Wart Treatments
If you have developed warts, don't be embarrassed. There are several simple ways to get rid of them, even at home.
One method is to cover the warts with duct tape. Keep the warts covered for a week, night and day. This should rid you of the warts. If unsuccessful, you may try this method a few times until the wart disappears.
Salicylic acid is a key ingredient in over-the-counter sprays or gels that are also effective at treating foot warts.
If however, you have diabetes or other foot conditions, contact an experienced podiatrist. Do not try to remove your warts at home if this is the case.
If the warts on your feet continue to spread rapidly, you may need professional wart removal. Talk to your podiatrist about laser wart removal and whether it's right for you.
Finding the Right Help In Calgary Today!
Don't let warts on your feet plague you unnecessarily. Our podiatrist has years of experience in laser wart removal and The Pulsed Dye Laser.
Reach out to us today to schedule an appointment to have your feet looked at. We are happy to answer all your questions so you can get back on your feet!