What are warts?
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.
What are the symptoms of warts?
Common symptoms of warts include:
- A small, rough, or grainy growth on the bottom of the foot
- Hard, thickened skin or a well-defined callus
- Bumps with black spots in the center
- Pain or discomfort when standing or walking
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.
Is there any way to prevent warts?
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.
How are warts diagnosed?
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.
How are warts treated?
Treatment for warts depends on the severity of your symptoms and the number of warts you have. Dr. Taft might recommend:
Removing the wart with acid
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.
Freezing the wart with cryotherapy
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.
