Verruca Pedis (Plantar warts)
icon
Plantar Warts (Verruca Pedis) are an infection of the skin caused by the human papillomavirus. The virus causes and increase in the tissue within the skin, causing a hard and often painful lesion on the sole of the foot. They are often mistaken with corns. Exposure to the virus is common in communal and barefoot environments like pools and showers. Plantar warts are more common in children because of their less mature immune system.
Plantar warts on some occasions disappear in a few weeks or may last many years. Plantar warts often make running, jumping, and even walking uncomfortable because they press inwards onto sensitive nerves of the skin. This pain can alter the way that you walk to compensate for the pain.
Tips for preventing plantar warts:
Avoid walking barefoot in public pools or change rooms and wash feet thoroughly with disinfectant soap after being in these areas.Avoid direct contact with warts.
Change socks and shoes daily.
Unfortunately, most plantar wart treatment options available over the counter are generally unsuccessful because of the depth and callus that forms over the site. For effective treatment your podiatrist would de-bride the overlying callus and then may apply a mild acid or use cryotherapy if deemed necessary. This treatment often requires multiple appointments to destroy the wart tissue allowing the virus to be presented to the immune system, allowing healthy tissue to replace HPV antigen, and allowing healthy tissue to replace the wart tissue.
Cryotherapy is another form of treatment that can be effective in conjunction with other treatments. Surgical removal usually is not recommended to treat plantar warts because it can cause painful scarring.
If you are having any problems with plantar warts or confusion about treatment, please contact Coast Sport and book in to see one of our friendly podiatrists to get quality treatment and advice.
Book an appointment at Coast Sport by calling (02) 4356 2588 or book online via the button below.
Thanks to Coast Sport Podiatrist Will for preparing this blog. You can find out more about Will here.
Will practices as a Podiatrist at both Toukley (Toukley Family Practice) and Tuggerah (Tuggerah Medical Centre and Coast Sport).
Helping the Central Coast Feel Well, Move Well and Perform Well!