Plantar warts are harmless growths on the soles of the feet produced by the human papillomavirus (HPV). The HPV virus enters the body through small wounds or breaches in the skin of the foot and subsequently grows in the skin layers. Plantar warts are unattractive and painful, but they are not malignant.
Symptoms
Plantar wart symptoms include:
- Small, fleshy growths on the feet's soles
- Skin that has hardened and thickened
- A little black dot in the wart's core, which is a small, occluded blood vessel
- Walking or standing pain or discomfort
Plantar warts are more frequent in patients with compromised immune systems, such as those suffering from HIV or AIDS, or in those who have undergone organ transplants. They are also more prevalent among those who have a history of warts or who have been exposed to the HPV virus.
Risk factors
There are various risk factors that might raise your chances of getting plantar warts, including:
- Barefoot walking in public facilities such as swimming pools, locker rooms, and showers
- Having a small skin injury or a foot cut
- A weakened immune system
- Having a warty history
- Having a history of warts in your family
Prevention
To avoid plantar warts, exercise proper cleanliness and avoid coming into touch with the HPV virus. This might include:
- In public, wearing shoes or sandals
- Walking barefoot in public areas should be avoided.
- Maintaining clean and dry feet
- Avoid sharing personal belongings with others, such as towels or shoes.
Diagnosis
If you feel you have a plantar wart, you should consult a doctor for thorough diagnosis and treatment. They may inspect the wart using a dermatoscope, a lighted magnifying equipment, or they may extract a tiny sample of the wart for examination under a microscope.
Treatment
Plantar wart treatment options include:
- Cryotherapy is the process of freezing a wart with liquid nitrogen.
- Cantharidin is a chemical that causes the skin's top layer to blister and peel away.
- Immunotherapy is the use of an immune-boosting cream to target the wart.
- Surgical removal of the wart with a scalpel
- Laser treatment is the use of a laser to eradicate warts.
It is crucial to note that plantar warts can be difficult to eliminate and may need numerous treatments. Even after treatment, warts may reappear in rare circumstances. If you have reoccurring warts or a compromised immune system, you should contact a doctor right away for effective treatment and management.