Plantar warts can be described as being little cauliflower like lesions that display on the sole or toe of the foot. They are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and can be contracted by contact with the living virus. Because the virus can live for long periods of time without a host HPV is highly contagious. It is estimated that 7-10% of the U.S. Is infected with the virus in the form of plantar warts.
Plantar warts could be most effectively diagnosed and dealt with by dermatologists (skin specialists) or podiatrists (foot specialists) but are commonly found and cared for by primary care physicians. If gone untreated the lesions can become painful, blister and tear, causing small beads of blood to escape.
Since plantar warts are spread by skin contact the simplest way to stay away from infection is to wear sandals or shoes on public floors like locker rooms and showers. There is currently no cure for HPV. Treatments have been discovered that can remove symptoms and sometimes send the virus into remission. Even with treatment the lesions may reoccur from surviving cells in the infected skin around the lesion.
Plantar warts are dealt with most frequently using a topical application of the over the counter drugs, trichloroacetic acid or salicylic acid. There is a wide variety of products that use these to remove the symptoms. There are also products that use hypothermia (freezing of the cells) to remove the warts. These often require multiple applications and require up to four weeks to remove the wart. They can be found at most retailers in the foot care section.
Surgical treatments are sometimes used, depending on the intensity of the case. Liquid nitrogen may be injected under the wart, producing blistering. This is painful but usually does not leave scarring. Cauterization is possible but undesirable as it is painful and can cause scarring or keloids, a scar that hardens into a firm rubbery growth over the area. Lasers have been used to get rid of warts with a high percentage rate but the removal procedure is costly and can cause some pain.
When treatment has been administered and the lesions gotten rid of the virus could still be active in the surrounding tissue. Knowledge of this and proper care must be taken to prevent reoccurrences or spreading to others. Scheduled visits with a general practitioner is advised to watch for regrowth of the plantar warts.
Waiting for the lesions to lesson is not advised. Without treatment the lesions can spread, possibly to other areas of the body. Because HPV is so contagious spreading to others is a definite risk. Only with early detection and treatment can the virus be contained and held passive.
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