PLANTAR WARTS

A plantar wart is a harmless skin growth caused by a virus that infects the top layer of the skin. Plantar warts occur on the bottom of your feet and may be painful when you walk. Warts may go away on their own in months or years, but in the feet and ankle it is more difficult to eradicate the wart without medical treatment.

Warts are spread easily from person to person. You can infect yourself over and over again by touching the wart and then touching another part of your body. You can also infect others by sharing towels, razors, or other personal items. Many warts on the foot cause pain or spread, and, therefore, need to be addressed by a foot and ankle specialist as soon as possible. Warts, due to the fact that they are viruses, take a longer period of time to treat and resolve.

Treatment Options

Treatments that a podiatric physician may offer include salicylic acid compounds, freezing of the warts, and removing the warts by removing the callus that covers them. Prior to treatment, some physicians will take a biopsy of the lesion in order to make sure that there is no other cause for this lesion. These treatments should only be performed by medical specialists due to the fact that everything should be completed without the chance of re-infection. A physician may also prescribe a medication that patients can apply daily to the site.

If you think that you may have a wart on your foot, please contact Southwest Austin Foot and Ankle Clinic to make an appointment.