Warts often develop on weight-bearing areas, like the heels and balls of the feet. Most resolve on their own, but if yours cause persistent pain or discomfort, don’t wait to seek professional medical help. At Foot & Ankle Associates of Southern NH, Drew Taft, DPM, provides safe, outpatient treatment for warts. To schedule an appointment at the Derry, New Hampshire office, book a consultation online, or call the office to speak with a member of the administrative staff today.
Warts are small, fleshy bumps that occur due to a strain of the human papillomavirus (HPV). They typically appear on the sole, ball, or heel of the foot, and can make standing up, walking, or exercising painful.
Anyone can experience warts, but they’re especially common in children and teenagers. Experts aren’t entirely sure why this is, but it’s thought that young people are more susceptible due to their still-developing immune system.
Common symptoms of warts include:
Warts might not seem like that big of a deal, but if you have a chronic condition like diabetes or peripheral artery disease (PAD), they may increase your risk of infection or complications. Therefore, it’s important to meet with a qualified podiatrist as soon as possible.
There’s no way to prevent warts entirely, but there are things you can do to limit your risk. Dr. Taft recommends keeping your feet clean and dry and avoiding picking or scratching warts.
If possible, you should also avoid walking barefoot in locker rooms or sharing items like shoes or socks with others.
To diagnose warts, Dr. Taft physically examines your feet and toes. During your in-office consultation, he closely observes each lesion, scrapes off a sample, and sends it to a laboratory for further analysis.
Dr. Taft also asks about your symptoms and reviews your medical history. To assist in treatment, you should also let Dr. Taft know when your first wart developed.
Treatment for warts depends on the severity of your symptoms and the number of warts you have. Dr. Taft might recommend:
Prescription-strength medications like salicylic acid can remove the layers of a wart one at a time. They also assist your body by stimulating your immune system’s ability to fight the wart. Dr. Taft writes you a prescription for salicylic acid and you apply the treatment at home.
Cryotherapy uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and ultimately kill a wart. Prior to treatment, Dr. Taft administers a local anesthetic to ensure your comfort. Once the anesthesia sets in, he applies the liquid nitrogen to the wart, causing it to freeze, blister, and die.
If warts are negatively affecting your quality of life, schedule an appointment at Foot & Ankle Associates of Southern NH. Call the office to speak with an administrative staff member today.