Chiropodist and Foot Specialist Trina Scarrow, BSc, DCh, has been treating plantar warts for over 20 years.
Plantar warts usually occur on the sole of the foot and are contagious. People of any age can get a plantar wart.
Plantar warts usually are rough and spongy, and most are gray, brown, or yellow with dark pinpoints. The dark pinpoints are tiny capillaries that supply blood to the wart. Scraping a wart may cause it to bleed.
Plantar warts are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) and can occur on the sole (plantar surface), heel, or ball of the foot. Pressure from standing and walking often causes them to grow into deep layers of the skin. Plantar warts may cause pain.
The virus can exist wherever you go barefoot. Areas that are wet or damp (shower stalls, pools, gyms, hot tubs, spas, dojos, dance studios, etc.) can often harbor the virus, and it can easily be passed on within families.
Plantar warts are unsightly and can be painful, affecting work, inhibiting lifestyle and recreational activities for prolonged periods. It is in your best interest to get them treated.
A plantar wart is similar in structure to an iceberg — the part on the surface of the skin is a small part of the plantar wart. Often, the portion of the wart under the skin is at least twice as big as the part you can see.
If left untreated, plantar warts can grow up to 1 inch in circumference and may spread into clusters (called mosaic warts). In severe cases, they cause a change in gait or posture that results in leg or back pain.
Can you go in a hot tub with plantar warts?
The short answer is yes, you can go in a hot tub with plantar warts however warts are very contagious. It is advised to wear flip flops or shoes on the deck area, and keep the area covered with a bandaid if possible.
It is also important to remember that warts do very well when they are wet so staying in the hot tub for long periods of time is not advisable. It is very important to get treatment for your plantar warts so they do not spread or become painful.
Plantar Wart Treatment
If you are searching on the internet for treatment for your plantar warts, you have possibly already tried over the counter topical remedies or even liquid nitrogen at the doctor’s office. Both are ineffective, and often destroy healthy tissue around the wart.
There is hope. We have several practical and effective treatment options for plantar warts at Custom Foot Clinic & Orthotic Centre in Guelph and Milton.
Treatment regimens range from applications of safe, powerful medications applied to the warts in clinic to shrink the wart and kill the blood vessels (black dots within the warts), to at home regimens with prescription medications.
In the case of stubborn warts where conservative treatment has failed, surgical techniques are available. The most popular is autoimmune inoculation needling treatment. This unique therapy involves depositing a small amount of the virus into the deeper layers of the dermis, which activates the immune system.
Once the immune system is activated it usually requires four to eight weeks for the virus to be eradicated.Typically one treatment is required. Once the immune system is activated, it will target the virus anywhere on the body. For example, if there are warts on the other foot or hands, they will disappear there too.
Contact us today to get rid of your warts, so you don’t have to feel embarassed by them anymore.
Trina Scarrow, BSc, DCh, is a Registered Chiropodist and Foot Specialist who has been helping patients for over 20 years.
Chiropodists and Podiatrists are the only regulated health professionals who specialize in treating conditions of the foot. In Ontario, there are 600 Registered Chiropodists and only 60 Podiatrists.
Chiropodists today must complete 7 years of post-secondary education before they get their professional designation. Chiropodists do complete case management of foot problems, including assessment, treatment and ongoing care.
Chiropodist Trina Scarrow, BSc, DCh
*Picture taken before COVID-19, now full safety protocols in place including air filtration systems
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I am an experienced Foot Specialist and Registered Chiropodist with locations in Guelph and Milton.
I provide a full assessment, biomechanical exams, and gait analysis. I will be able to help address your foot discomfort with a variety of techniques including foot care treatment, custom orthotics, orthopaedic shoes, medication, laser, or physical therapy.
I can help get your feet functioning better to help you feel better. Contact me today.
