Calluses and corn are really common to occur on the feet, but did you know that there is something called plantar warts too, and they can feel really uncomfortable too? The pain and discomfort prompts people to see a podiatrist or an orthopedic surgeon. Here is everything you need to know about plantar warts.

What Are Plantar Warts?

Normally, when you see or even touch your feet, especially the bottom where the sole and the base of the foot is, you will not feel any roughness at all. The skin underneath should be smooth and bump-free. Well, when you are concerned with plantar warts, it can cause your feet to become really rough.

So, basically, plantar warts are harmless and rough protrusions or bumps on the feet that can feel really rough and they are also very hard. They are kind of like calluses on the feet, but they are bumps. They can either be one or multiple on your feet.

To go down to the physiological level, plantar warts are basically caused by an infection in the skin of your feet. It is caused by a virus known as human papillomavirus or HPV. This virus can gain access into your skin when it breaks or is exposed to something and then these warts are formed over time. The plantar warts will be hard and bumpy, and when you try to press on them, they might or might not hurt, depending on the place where the bump is and what it presses when you put pressure on it.

What Are The Causes Of Plantar Warts?

There is typically not a definitive cause of plantar warts. Anyone and everyone can get them. Whether it be kids or adults, it is really common to occur. Some people might say it is because of walking too much or not wearing comfortable shoes, but in the end, the main cause of plantar warts is the human papillomavirus, which gains access to the skin and causes these bumps to form. If there is any tear or break in the skin on your feet and you contaminate it by any chance, then the chances of developing a plantar wart are higher.

So, if you don’t want there to be any issues regarding this, then you have to ensure that you are washing your feet and keeping them clean, especially if there is an exposed injury that can cause issues down the line.

The only “danger” of a plantar wart is the fact that it can be contagious, just like any other virus that you know of. If you don’t want other people to be affected by it, then you have to ensure that you are isolating your feet and covering them if you are going somewhere where there is a chance of a spread. This will keep you and the others safe too.

Another thing that is worth knowing about plantar warts is that they can be very painful, which is the main reason why people get rid of them in the first place. Not particularly because they’re dangerous or harmful to one’s health, but because they can cause problems in walking, standing, and even doing normal stuff around the house or at work. So, if that is something that worries you too, then you might want to get your plantar wart removed too, because it can be very uncomfortable trying to live with it, and dealing with the pain all the time.

What Are The Symptoms Of Plantar Warts?

So, now that you know what plantar warts are and how they are caused, the next thing you want to go over is the symptoms. Here are some of the most common symptoms of a plantar wart. See a podiatrist or you can also consult your sports medicine doctor Woodbridge if you’re an athlete.

Small, Isolated Bumps On The Foot

First of all, you will see a small, isolated bump on your foot, or at the base of your foot, and when you touch it, it will be hard. It might also be very rough to the touch, kind of like a foot callus, so this is a really great identifying marker when it comes to figuring out whether you have a plantar wart on your foot or something else.

Pain

Next, the wart will be very painful. If you don’t even put your weight on it and just press it a bit, you will feel a stinging pain shoot up your foot. Depending on the place where the wart is, it might be hard for you to even walk or stand. So, this is something that you have to keep in mind.

If you’re changing your walking habits and posture, it can put stress on other parts of your body and cause back pain or knee pain.

Pink, Purple, Or Black Warts

Plantar warts can also vary in colors. It can be a bright or deep pink shade, or it can be purple at times too. Other times, if the infection is really bad, then the warts can be black too.

Placement On The Foot

The placement of the wart is also important to figure out. It can be on the base, near or on the heel of the foot. It can also be around your toes, as well as between them, so you need to ensure that you have an eye out for these places and see if there is a wart out there somewhere.

Bleeding And Tenderness

There will also be bleeding and discomfort and overall tenderness on your foot when there is a plantar wart. You want to ensure that the infection doesn’t spread and leads to more issues than necessary. So, if there is a chance of cracking or bleeding, then you need to take necessary measures to ensure that it doesn’t spread further.

Treatment For Plantar Warts

As mentioned previously, plantar warts are not exactly harmful to your health. But they are unwanted bumps and if you can remove them safely, then you will be free of the pain. There are several treatment modes out there that you can try. They include:

Drying Out The Warts (Cryotherapy)

It’s called cryotherapy for warts and this is the process of drying the wart out and killing it completely by using a freezing agent, like liquid nitrogen. The temperature kills all the cells in the wart, causing it to dry out and then it can be removed. This is also a very quick procedure and you can get rid of the painful wart in no time.

Surgery For Plantar Warts Removal

Removal of the plantar warts through surgery. This is a very non-invasive process and it involves the surgical extraction of the wart. This is a daycare and really quick procedure and you will be on your feet in no time at all.

Home Remedies

There are also several home remedies that can help with warts. Apple cider vinegar and rinsing your feet in a solution of this and water will help to soften the wart and after a few weeks, you can manually pull the wart out. You can also use salicylic acid to soften and ultimately remove the wart.

The goal is to soften the hard and rough skin of the wart and when you are pulling it out, make sure to apply some numbing cream and keep the wound nice and sanitized to prevent the spread of an infection.

Conclusion

Plantar warts are not exactly harmful by any means, but that also doesn’t mean that you have to live with them. If they are painful and it’s becoming hard to walk, you should contact a podiatry clinic Woodbridge.