Most of us are familiar with the embarrassment that warts on our fingers or hands can cause. But what about those that emerge on the bottom of the foot? These are called plantar warts, and affect about 10% of the population. There are at-home treatments for them, but many fail.
Fortunately, Dr. Biren Shah and the team at Midwest Foot & Ankle Associates provide expert education and treatment for plantar warts. Dr. Biren’s approach is both clinically well-informed and caring, regardless of the foot or ankle conditions he’s treating.
Plantar warts develop when human papillomavirus (HPV) enters a break in the skin. Unfortunately, once a plantar wart is present, it can persist for months or up to two years in children and adults.
Because every individual’s response to coming into contact with a virus differs, one person may not develop a plantar wart after exposure to HPV, while another will.
You’re at higher risk for plantar warts if you’re a child or teen, you’ve had one previously, or you’re immunocompromised. You’re also more likely to get a plantar wart if you frequent places where people walk barefoot a lot, like pool areas and locker rooms.
Plantar warts often become irritated, painful, and even bleed because of their position on the heel or ball of the foot. This can lead to more complex issues. For instance, the pain from a plantar wart can alter the way you walk (your gait), run, and stand, which sets you up for ankle, knee, hip, or spine discomfort.
A plantar wart typically starts small and grows gradually, but it can multiply. Sometimes a cluster of smaller warts will grow in proximity to each other. These are known as mosaic warts, which are not as easy to treat as a single wart.
Popular home remedies people use to treat plantar warts include:
The problem with these methods is that they either take too long or ultimately just don’t work.
At Midwest Foot & Ankle, Dr. Biren develops personalized treatment strategies based on the results of your evaluation. He provides advanced, medical-grade plantar wart treatments that are both speedy and successful.
Your strategy may include laser therapy, cryotherapy, treatments employing acid, and various topical and oral therapies.
If you’re dealing with the unpleasant symptoms and irritation of a plantar wart, contact our Elgin or Rockford office today for professional-grade treatment. Call the office or book an appointment with us online.
