Most people will have a wart at some point in their lives. All warts, regardless of location, are caused by HPV, a virus that spreads through contact. Plantar warts occur on the bottom of the feet and can be very painful. To minimize your risk of developing warts or having them spread, you should follow the recommended tips below. If your plantar warts are painful or spreading, you should see a podiatrist (foot doctor) as soon as possible.
What Causes Plantar Warts?
Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes plantar warts on the bottom of the feet. It is spread from person to person by touch, and individuals with cut or broken skin are more at risk of catching this virus. Warts thrive in moisture and often spread in public showers, pools, and locker rooms.
How to Protect Yourself from Developing Plantar Warts
Preventing plantar warts from occurring is much easier than treating them once they have developed. Three important ways to prevent the spread of HPV are:
- Wear shoes in public areas – locker rooms, gyms, showers, and pools are common places that HPV spreads from person to person. Wear flip-flops or water shoes in common areas to prevent yourself from contracting the virus. If you have an open wound or sore on your feet, we highly recommend that you avoid these areas until your foot has healed.
- Wear clean socks and shoes – changing your socks every day can help prevent plantar warts from spreading to other areas of your body.
- Keep any warts covered – if you have a wart anywhere on your body, keeping it covered can help prevent it from spreading. Wash your hands frequently, especially after touching the wart.
How Are Plantar Warts Treated?
If you have already developed a plantar wart, you have some options for treatment. Four ways you can treat a plantar wart at home are:
- Salicylic acid cream applied topically can help burn off the wart.
- Cryotherapy uses liquid nitrogen to freeze off the wart. Many drugstores carry kits that allow you to do this at home.
- Fresh garlic applied to the wart and covered with duct tape may be an effective natural remedy. When misused, garlic can cause burns, so talk to your doctor before trying this method.
- You may apply apple cider vinegar topically to help reduce the spread of warts.
If your plantar wart is painful or spreading, it may be time to visit your podiatrist for help. In addition to at-home treatments, you can try yourself, a foot doctor can also
- cut the wart out of your foot,
- use laser therapy to kill the wart at the root, or
- prescribe medicine to remove the plantar wart.
How to Find a Plantar Wart Doctor in New York City (NYC)
If you have a wart you are concerned about, Best Foot Doctor is located in New York City (NYC) with offices in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. Give our offices a call today to schedule an appointment, and we will offer you solutions to treat your wart and prevent others from occurring.