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Plantars Warts
What is a Plantars Wart
A plantars wart is caused by the HPV virus. Plantar warts can develop on any part of the foot. Sometimes dark specks are visible beneath the surface of the wart. When pressure from standing or walking pushes a plantar wart beneath the skin’s surface, a layer of thick, tough skin similar to a callus, develops over it. As the callus and wart get larger, walking can become painful, much like walking with a pebble in your shoe. Multiple warts and plantar warts can form in a large, flat cluster known as a “mosaic wart.”
Causes
The HPV type 1 causes most plantar warts. The virus gains access to the skin through direct contact. It is presumed that inoculation of the skin probably occurs in places likely to be contaminated by others with plantar warts, like communal showers. There are a variety of innate mechanisms that seem to be important in resisting infections.
Signs and Symptoms
-Foot pain that feels like a lump under the foot
-Firm, warty lesions with tiny pinpoint dark spots inside (not always apparent)
Treatments
Topical Acid: One of the most common methods is to burn warts off with a mild acid applied topically to the wart. Many applications may be required over the course of several weeks, but the technique is highly successful. Salicylic acid and dichloroacetic (or trichloroacetic) acid are useful.
Other acid methods may be used.
Laser and surgical excision of warts can also be performed if topical acid therapy is not successful.
