4 Reasons to Have Your Wart Professionally Treated
Nov 02, 2023
Noticing a strange-looking lump on the bottom of your foot may seem scary, but it's likely the result of a plantar wart. These unsightly bumps aren't usually harmful but may cause discomfort when you walk.
If you have symptoms related to the wart, you can remove it on your own. However, it's not always the best option.
Dr. Daniel Cairns and the Toe-Tal Foot and Ankle Care team provide expert treatment of various foot and ankle conditions, including plantar warts.
Dr. Cairns is an experienced podiatrist offering modern and effective plantar warts treatments to relieve uncomfortable symptoms.
Plantar warts are an annoying growth on the bottom of the foot that forms due to the human papillomavirus, or HPV. The virus is highly contagious and infects the skin through a cut or small opening.
The bottom of the foot is a familiar spot for warts, although they can form on any area of the foot and other parts of the body.
Although kids are prone to the condition, anyone can get a plantar wart. However, immunocompromised people and older adults are also at risk.
Some plantar warts don't cause symptoms and disappear when the body clears the virus. Other warts, however, cause symptoms like pain and trouble walking, primarily when they affect the bottom of the foot.
People experiencing symptoms of plantar warts should seek treatment for the condition. Without treatment, warts can spread, or pain may become unbearable, especially when standing and walking.
Not every wart requires treatment, especially if it doesn't cause pain or other symptoms. However, if you’re experiencing discomfort with the wart, professional treatment is a good idea.
Various treatment options are available, depending on the severity of the wart and how many warts are on your foot. Dr. Cairns discusses each option with you to determine the best fit for your needs.
A few of the available treatments for plantar warts include:
The goal of treatment is to carefully remove the entire wart without harming the tissue around it. Some of the above treatments are immediate, while others take a few weeks to kill off the wart.
Once the wart is dead without a blood supply, Dr. Cairns easily removes it in the office. The removal may occur a week or two after treatment.
Professional treatment for a plantar wart is essential for long-term relief of the problem. Other reasons for seeking treatment from an experienced podiatrist like Dr. Cairns include:
HPV is the virus that causes plantar warts and is very contagious. If you have a plantar wart, you're at risk for more warts or spreading it to someone in your family.
Treating a wart by a professional ensures the removal of the wart and reduces the risk of spreading the problem.
You don't want to deal with pain and discomfort in your feet daily. If you're struggling with discomfort from a plantar wart, getting treatment often relieves the problem and symptoms quickly.
Some plantar warts are extensive and unsightly, possibly causing embarrassment when barefoot. Getting treatment for the wart alleviates your cosmetic worries over its growth.
Home remedies may be a solution for removing the wart on your own, but there's no guarantee you'll get the entire growth.
A professional podiatrist uses effective and safe treatments to remove the wart, improving symptoms and alleviating worry about the wart multiplying.
Call our office in Watauga, Texas, today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Cairns for plantar warts, or send the team a message on our website.