Plantar Warts

Plantar warts are warts that develop on the bottoms of the feet. They are caused by a common virus (Human Papilloma Virus) which is often contracted in damp places where people are barefoot, like swimming pools, change rooms, showers, dojos and dance studios. The virus enters the skin through tiny breaks in the skin on the bottom of the feet. It takes weeks or months for a plantar wart to develop after exposure.

Plantar warts are covered by callous and can look very much like a corn, and are often misdiagnosed as such. They are small growths of skin that can be painful to walk on. Take a look at the picture. Would you be able to tell the difference?

Some of the key difference are: 

• Warts hurt more to pinch whereas corns hurt more with direct pressure.
  
  
• Warts have small black dots within them (tiny blood vessels), but corns do not.

Plantar warts can spread on the feet and turn into clusters of warts, or spread to another area of the foot altogether. They are also contagious, meaning people who share spaces barefoot may also be at risk of developing plantar warts.

Risk Factors

• Age – Children and teens are more prone to plantar warts, although people of any age can contract them.
  
  
• Barefoot Public Spaces – Public spaces like swimming pools change rooms, dance studios, dressing rooms etc.
  
  
• Moisture – The wart virus (HPV) thrives in moist damp environments. If your feet sweat a lot, warts can be harder to treat.

Treatment
There are several treatments for plantar warts. Unfortunately many of the off-the-shelf treatments or “folk remedies” are often not effective. Besides being difficult to treat, warts sometimes re-occur after treatment. St. Catharines Foot Clinic offers many specialized treatment options. Some of the more popular options include:

• Cantharone – Cantharone is blister beetle extract. It forms a blister around and under the wart which then can be debrided by your chiropodist. This can take a few to several treatments.
  
  
• Falknor’s Needling – This procedure is performed with the wart area numbed with local anaesthetic. The procedure is performed, which produces a strong immune response against the virus. The wart usually disappears within 2 months after a single treatment. Sometimes a second treatment is necessary.
  
  
• Surgical Excision – If a wart appears deep, and is resistant to treatment, surgical excision may be performed to remove the wart. The base of the excision site is then cauterized with a chemical and/or electorcautery to ensure the virus has been destroyed.

Prevention

• Wear shower sandals in public showers or locker rooms.
  
  
• Do not pick at your own warts to avoid spreading them.
  
  
• If you go to a salon, make sure instruments like foot files are sterilized in between clients.
  
  
• Control foot moisture – If you sweat a lot, use breathable footwear and change your socks regularly, even twice in the same day. Think about purchasing moisture-wicking socks.