Verruca Plantaris commonly referred to as warts, are growths that develop on the bottom of the feet (the plantar) due to a contagious virus called Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Warts can be flesh coloured or dark, rough or smooth, can grow singly or in groups, often termed as "mosaic warts".
Most people will have warts at some time during their life. However, they are more common in school children and teenagers than in adults. Research has indicated that 4-5% of children and adolescents in the UK have warts. Warts are uncommon in babies and occur in equal numbers between males and females.
Verruca plantaris (plantar warts)
Walking on warts can be painful like a stone in the shoe. When standing and walking the warts begin to flatten making them more difficult to treat because the majority of the wart has been pushed deeper under the skin.
Causes:
Warts are very contagious. The skin cells in warts release thousands of viruses, which means that close skin-to-skin contact can pass on the infection.
It is also possible for the infection to be transmitted indirectly from an object, such as a towel, or by contact with a contaminated surface, such as the surface surrounding a swimming pool.
It can take weeks, or even months, for a wart or verruca to appear after you have caught the infection. The time between infection and the onset of symptoms is known as the incubation period.
Prevention:
- Keep feet dry as warts thrive in moist conditions.
- Wear comfortable shoes to lessen pressure on the wart.
Treatment:
Many treatments fro treating warts, such as creams, gels, paints and medicated plasters, are available from Foothealthcare.com. The active ingredient in most of these treatments is salicylic acid.
There is limited evidence available to show which type of salicylic acid treatment (ointment, cream or gel) is most effective for warts. However, it has been shown that salicylic acid is effective at treating warts.
Salicylic acid and other wart treatments also destroy healthy skin, so it is important to protect your skin before applying the treatment. You can use petroleum jelly or a corn plaster to cover the skin around the wart.
Before applying the treatment to your wart, use a foot file to rub any excess outer skin on the affected area. Soak the wart in water for around five minutes to soften the skin.
After soaking your wart, follow the treatment instructions that came with the medication. You may need to apply the treatment daily for 12 weeks or longer. However, stop the treatment if your skin becomes sore and seek advice from your GP or pharmacist.
If you have poor circulation, for example, if you have a condition such as diabetes or peripheral vascular disease, consult your GP before using over-the-counter treatments that contain salicylic acid. This is because there is an increased risk of damage to your skin, nerves and tendons.
Podiatrists/Chiropodists may use following treatments:
- Salicylic acid plasters.
- Laser surgery.
- Electro surgery.
- Cutting.
- Freezing Methods.
