Warts are small growths on your body that are rough in texture. They can appear anywhere on your body at any time. They can be very painful and sometimes unappealing to look at.Foot warts often look like a blister or a small cauliflower with black dots. They are common and can usually be treated and managed at home.
What Causes Foot Warts?
Warts are skin growths caused by the human papillomavirus (also referred to as HPV). There are more than 60 strains of HPV and a few of them cause warts. HPV is also the most common virus of the skin. Warts are caused through direct contact with HPV as it is contagious. It can be through person-to person contact or through the use of an object that was used by a person with the virus. HPV stimulates your cell’s growth on the outer layer of your skin, and it can grow very quickly.
There are two main types of warts that most people get at some point in their lifetime and they are the plantar and flat warts. Both types generally appear on one’s hands or feet. Plantar warts are the more painful type and they often found on the bottom of your foot.
Wart Treatments and Pain Management
Planter warts can be treated in a number of ways depending on the severity. Some also may go away on their own but this is rare. Below you will find some of the treatment options for removing your wart.
- Salicylic Acid: This is a topical liquid that you can get at most convenience stores. It essentially burns off the wart, but it is not painful.
- Liquid Nitrogen: This is administered by a medical professional and freezes off the wart. This is often turned to if the wart is large or if at-home remedies didn’t work.
- Curettage: This involves cutting off the wart and is also done by a medical professional. This is not something that should be tried at home as it can cause much more damage and possible infection.
Pain management during treatment is necessary so you can continue with your regular daily activities. Below you will find some tips to help manage your pain as you treat the wart in addition to tips for after the wart is removed.
- Over-the-Counter Pain Medication: If the pain is unbearable, try an over-the-counter pain medication to help ease your pain. Be sure not to overuse the pain medication and also to drink lots of water to support your kidney’s health. You can also use some pain reliever after your wart is removed if you are feeling any residual pain.
- Plantar Wart Pad: One of the options for removing a plantar wart is the pad (or cushion). There is a space in the middle on the inside portion that attaches to your foot. The cushion can help ease some of the pressure when you are walking around.
- Topical Anesthetic: While the over-the-counter versions don’t last very long, you can talk to your doctor to see what they could prescribe you for the pain. If you have an event or your job requires a lot of standing, discuss this with your medical provider to see what they can do.
- Stay Off Your Feet: If you have had your wart removed by your doctor, stay off your foot for a day if possible. Keep the area covered and avoid putting any pressure on the area. This will allow the wart to begin healing without any external forces interrupting it.
Avoiding Warts in the Future
While there is no way to prevent warts entirely, you can take steps to try and avoid them in the future. The virus that causes warts enjoys warm and humid environments. Below you will find some options to reduce your risk of getting a wart.
- Cover your feet in public places by at least wearing sandals. Public showers, pools, saunas, or even locker rooms are usually hotbeds for germs and viruses.
- Keep clothing and towels dry.
- If you come into contact with someone who has a wart, do not touch the wart, their clothing, or anything their wart has possibly come into contact with.
Wart Treatment in Venture and Oxnard
If you have tried over-the-counter medications or you just want a professional to take care of your wart, contact Foot & Ankle Concepts, Inc. We have a number of locations all over California, including Oxnard, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Camarillo, Palmdale, and Westlake. We are skilled in wart removal and are happy to help you find the option that is right for you. Contact Foot & Ankle Concepts, Inc. today for an appointment!
