WARTS, PLANTAR |
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General Information
DEFINITION--Warts on the soles of the feet. Plantar warts seem to grow inward ("into the skin"). They are sometimes mistaken for calluses or corns, but the little dark spots in plantar warts help distinguish them from other skin problems.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Pinhead-sized bump that grows to 2mm or 3mm. Shaving off the top reveals small black dots, pinpoint bleeding and an underlying translucent core.
Pain on walking. The wart compresses underlying tender tissue.
Plantar warts may occur singly or in adjacent clusters.
CAUSES & RISK FACTORSInfection with the human PAPILLOMA virus, which passes from person to person by direct contact. The virus invades the skin, making infected cells reproduce faster than normal cells. Plantar warts are contagious and are most common in association with the following:
Repeated injury to the skin due to puncture wounds, excessive perspiration, increased heat, friction of foot covering and protective gear.
Fall and spring seasons.
Persons who have other warts.
HOW TO PREVENT
Don't touch warts on other people.
Don't wear another person's shoes.
Wear footwear in public locker rooms or showers.
WHAT TO EXPECT
DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES
Your own observation of symptoms.
Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.
SURGERYFrequently performed in a doctor's office to remove painful, non-healing plantar warts. Hospitalization is not usually necessary.
NORMAL COURSE OF ILLNESSUsually curable in 6 to 12 weeks with treatment, but some cases are slow to heal or are resistant to treatment. Recurrence is common.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONSInflammation and arthritic changes in other parts of the body due to abnormal gait and posture caused by painful plantar warts.
HOW TO TREAT
NOTE -- Follow your doctor's instructions. These instructions are supplemental.
MEDICAL TREATMENTYour doctor will probably pare away the overlying callused skin, and apply chemical cauterants, such as trichloracetic acid, 20% salicylic acid or 20% formalin. Sometimes plantar warts are removed with lasers.
HOME TREATMENT
Insert pads or cushions in your shoes to make walking more comfortable.
Soak feet in 1/2 gallon of warm water with 2 tablespoons of mild detergent.
Apply the sticky side of medicated plaster directly onto the wart. Push down, keep it dry and in place for 2 days.
After 2 days, remove bandage and plaster. If skin tears as you remove the tape, loosen the tape with nail polish remover on a cotton-tip applicator between the skin and the tape. (Wart will look whitish). Wash 2 times daily for 2 days with soap and water and scrub with a brush or toothbrush. Expose the wart to air.
Scrape gray wart tissue with the point of a sterilized nail file after a bath or shower.
Repeat entire process for 2 weeks. If warts become sore, skip treatment for 2 or 3 days.
Wear a pad cut from adhesive foam. Cut a hole for the wart and attach the pad to prevent pressure directly on the wart.
If the wart is close to the base of the toes, have a shoe repairman sew a metatarsal bar on the bottom of the shoe.
MEDICATION
For minor discomfort, you may use non-prescription drugs such as acetaminophen.
Your doctor may prescribe chemically treated plaster for you to apply. Follow instructions carefully.
ACTIVITYNo restrictions. Because walking aggravates the wart, find the most comfortable way to walk without putting weight on the wart.
DIETNo special diet.
CALL YOUR DOCTOR IF
You have a plantar wart.
The treated area becomes infected, with redness, heat, increased pain and tenderness.
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