Plantar Warts Are Common and Treatable
How much do you know about plantar warts? Let’s start with some quick facts:
A plantar wart is a small bump on the skin of the foot.
The part that you can see and feel is only a small part of the wart. They also grow up and into the flesh of the foot.
Some plantar warts develop beneath a callus, making it hard to spot.
Most plantar warts are located on weight-bearing areas, such as the heel or the ball of the foot.
Warts are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). The virus enters your body through small nicks or other weak spots in the feet, such as cracks in dry skin on the heel.
Plantar warts are highly contagious.
How can you spot a plantar wart? In addition to staying alert to changes in the appearance of your feet, you should take note of any bump that has small black pinpoint spots. These are commonly called “wart seeds,” but are actually tiny clotted blood vessels in the wart. You should also pay particular attention to any bumps that cause discomfort when standing or walking, or that hurt when squeezed.
Reduce your risk of contracting plantar warts. Keep feet clean. Spray shoes frequently with an antibacterial product. Be sure to wear shower sandals in the locker room at the gym.
If you suspect that you have developed a wart, the first thing to do is to schedule a visit with your foot doctor. With years of training and experience, a board-certified podiatrist like Dr. James M. McKee is a medical specialist and the best-qualified medical professional to diagnose and treat your wart. If your doctor concurs that you do have a wart, they will have numerous pain-free treatment options available.
Scheduling a convenient appointment with James M. McKee, DPM, FACFAS in the modern, comfortable Podiatry Group of Annapolis, P.A. office on Solomons Island Road is easy. Just call our friendly staff at 410-224-4448 or click here to get started today.