Are You Struggling With Foot Warts?

"Warts are common worldwide and affect approximately 10% of the population. In school-aged children, the prevalence is as high as 10% to 20%," according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information. Dr. Richard Grayson of Avon Podiatry Associates in Avon, CT, can help people struggling with foot warts.

More About Plantar Warts

Plantar warts occur on the hands and on the bottom of the foot. Plantar warts are noncancerous skin growths caused by a virus called human papillomavirus or HPV. People usually mistake warts for malignant growth but, in actuality, most warts go away without treatment. If you're worried about the wart, you should definitely contact your Avon podiatrist to better understand what you have on your foot.

Plantar warts are small (as big as a pencil eraser), but some warts can grow bigger. Warts can grow in clusters (mosaic warts). The reason it's best to contact your podiatrist is that people mistake warts for corns or calluses. This confusion may lead to incorrect self-treatment.

How do you get a plantar wart?

Warts spread from person to person but may not appear for weeks or months. Plantar warts are contagious spread in:

• public swimming pool
• communal showers
• shower at home
• shared gym or athletic facilities
• group activities that require bare feet like yoga and martial arts

What are some treatment options?

• Over-the-counter wart treatments include gel, ointment and lotion and work about 50% of the time.
   
• Podiatrists may freeze off the wart using liquid nitrogen, remove it with surgery, or inject medicines to strengthen the immune system.

Do you need any advice?

If you have a plantar wart or aren't sure what kind of foot issue you have, then you need a podiatrist. You can contact Dr. Richard Grayson of Avon Podiatry Associates in Avon, CT, at (860) 677-7733.