Foot warts, also known as plantar warts, are growths on the skin of the foot that usually appear on the ball and heel area. The HPV virus is what causes these skin growths, and the infection is usually picked up by walking around barefoot. Both adults and children can develop plantar warts.
Foot warts can be a pain and make wearing shoes uncomfortable. They can also worsen over time, as the pressure can cause them to grow inward. That’s not all – warts can also spread to other areas of the body and to other people around you, as they are highly contagious.
So, who do you go to for the treatment of foot warts? Can podiatrists take care of this issue? The answer is yes – when it comes to the treatment of plantar warts, turn to a podiatrist for help. This medical specialist specializes in treating foot and ankle problems and can effectively treat abnormal growths on your feet.
Below, we discuss the different methods of treatment employed by podiatrists to treat plantar warts.
Cryotherapy
This is one of the most common wart treatments used by podiatrists today. During this procedure, liquid nitrogen is applied directly to a wart with either an applicator or sprayer gun, which freezes off any abnormal growths in the area. Scabs will form and fall off, allowing new skin to grow. This method typically requires more than one treatment session before warts completely go away. However, this is most effective in wart removal and can remove all visible signs of a wart.
Salicylic Acid Treatment
Another option commonly employed by foot doctors when treating patients with plantar warts is salicylic acid. Podiatrists use a prescription strength of this acid, which is much stronger than what you can buy at a drugstore. Salicylic acid works by helping remove the wart one layer at a time, as it stimulates exfoliation of the skin.
Cantharidin
Your podiatrist may also use cantharidin, which is a type of burn agent that causes warts to form a blister and fall off. It usually takes several sessions before the warts are completely removed.
Laser Therapy
If your plantar warts don’t respond well to cryotherapy or salicylic acid treatments, the doctor may recommend laser therapy, which involves the use of light energy to burn warts, causing them to fall off.
Surgery
If all else fails, the podiatrist may perform minor surgery or an electrodesiccation and curettage, which involves either the cutting away of warts or using an electric needle to destroy them. However, this method may cause scarring.
It’s important to note that any form of plantar warts treatment should never be attempted at home without proper guidance from an experienced healthcare provider. Complications could arise from incorrect application techniques. Podiatrists are well-equipped and qualified to handle this sort of problem and can even educate you on how to prevent getting an HPV infection.
Foot Warts Treatment in St. Peters, O’Fallon & Wentzville, MO
Dr. Anthony Lombardo is our board-certified podiatrist at Advanced Bone & Joint. Dr. Lombardo provides expert treatment for warts, using traditional and cutting-edge procedures to take care of the problem effectively. Dr. Lombardo not only treats warts but also provides guidance to help patients avoid the same problem in the future.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Lombardo, call our office today at (636) 229-4222, or use our convenient online request form.
