What Are Warts?A wart is an infection caused by a virus, which can invade your skin through small cuts or breaks. Over time, the wart develops into a hard, rough growth on the surface of the skin. A wart is most commonly seen on the bottom of the foot (plantar wart), but can also appear on the top. Children, teens, and people with allergies or weakened immune systems are more vulnerable to the wart virus.
SymptomsWarts may appear spongy, with tiny red, brown, or black spots. They can grow up to an inch or more across, occurring alone (solitary) or with smaller warts clustered nearby (mosaic). Warts are sometimes mistaken for
corns or calluses. They can persist for years and recur in the same spot. If left untreated, warts can spread to other parts of the foot or even to the hands or other areas of the body.
Podiatrist EvaluationYour podiatrist examines your wart carefully to determine that it is not a corn or a callus. A wart will usually feel painful when your podiatrist squeezes it from side to side. To examine the wart further, the hard skin layer around it may need to be trimmed. A wart will have certain spots that bleed when trimmed; a callus will not.
What Can You Do About Warts?After your podiatrist treats your warts, protect your feet from future infection by keeping them clean and dry. If you're thinking of using over-the-counter medications for warts, ask your podiatrist first. Some of these treatments can damage skin - and may be dangerous if you have diabetes or poor circulation.
Avoid going barefoot in public places like showers, gyms, and locker rooms. The wart virus may spread easily in moist settings like these. Wear sandals on your feet.
Foot & Ankle Conditions
As a
podiatrist in Delray Beach FL
our office specializes in
plantar wart treatment and wart removal in Delray Beach, Palm Beach County, FL. If you would like to schedule a consultation for wart treatment with the foot doctor please call our office today at (561) 498-9888 or
request an appointment online.