Facts about Foot Warts

22 Jan Facts about Foot Warts

One of the more common conditions that we treat at Great Neck Family Foot Care is warts. Warts are caused by a virus which, when it penetrates the skin, causes a raised, fleshy bump to form. Warts can occur on the toes, bottoms or any other part of the foot. Warts are somewhat unpredictable. They can go away on their own but may recur. Sometimes they spread and form clusters of warts.

Plantar Warts

One particular kind of wart that often appears on the soles of the feet is the plantar wart. This type of wart is generally flatter and less fleshy than the traditional wart and usually has little black dots in the center. Although not generally harmful, warts can become painful or uncomfortable if they grow too large or are in a place on the foot (like the heel or ball of the foot) that receives excessive pressure when you walk or run. Despite their relatively low health risk, warts should be treated because they are contagious and can spread to other parts of the foot or other parts of your body.

Treatment

Our board certified podiatrists, Dr. Alec Hochstein and Dr. Diana Gagliano will examine your foot and also take a complete medical history before determining the best treatment for your warts. Several options exist, including: prescription medications, laser cautery, freezing and surgical removal.

Prevention

There are steps you can take to lower your risk of being exposed to the virus that causes warts on the feet:

• Practice good podiatric hygiene, washing your feet daily and drying completely.
• Always wear shower shoes or flip flops in public places, especially those that are damp and where other people usually are walking barefoot. These include public pools and showers, locker rooms and gyms.
• Viruses thrive in dark, moist places so if you tend to sweat profusely, change your socks frequently and choose footwear that allows air circulation around your foot.
• Do not share socks or shoes with other people.

If you have found a wart on your foot, call our Great Neck office at (516) 482-5999 and make an appointment to have it taken care of. If a member of your family has a wart but illness or disability prevents them from coming into the office, we can come to you. Ask about a home visit when you contact our office.