Here at Family Foot and Ankle Specialists, one of the most common problems we treat children for is plantar warts. A wart is a viral infection of the skin cells caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). There are many different types of warts on the human body. In podiatry the most common type of wart we see is a plantar wart. (Plantar is a word associated with the bottom of the foot).
Who Gets Plantar Warts?
- Commonly seen in Children and Adolescence
- Immunosuppressed Population
- Skin conditions that lead to skin breakdown ie. Eczema
- Skin conditions that are prone to moisture ie. Hyperhidrosis
- People with high exposure to others with plantar warts
What Causes Plantar Warts?
Also known as Plantar Verrucae, plantar warts can be spread generally through skin-to-skin contact or through damage to the skin by trauma or moisture. The locker room, public pool, hotels are common hosts to the wart virus. Also, people can get warts through sharing socks and bathtub/showers with someone who has a plantar wart on their foot.
How to Spot a Plantar Wart?
Plantar warts are seen on the bottom of your feet, often very small, hard skin over the top and can have small black/red dots in the center of the wart. They are often annoying, uncomfortable and can be mistaken for a corn (heloma durum). It is also good to keep an eye out for the skin around the wart as they are a virus they can spread or appear in clusters.
How can we treat Plantar Warts?
At Family Foot and Ankle Specialists we most commonly use the treatment protocol of debriding the skin and treating the area with very high potency salicylic acid. Patients then do at home treatment for 3 weeks, then follow up to see me for re evaluation.
If you or someone you know has plantar warts, we encourage you to visit your podiatrist to talk about treatment options. I consider it an honor to care for you and your family!
