Plantar Warts

What are Plantar Warts and Warts?

Warts and plantar warts are skin conditions caused by a variant of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).

Warts are non-cancerous growths. The infection occurs due to viruses infiltrating broken skin and infecting the epidermal layer, resulting in a skin growth which we call a wart.

When they develop on the bottom of the feet, they are known as plantar warts. This name derives from the Latin word "planta," meaning sole of the foot. Most warts heal without treatment but in some cases may require some medical attention.

Plantar Warts are most uncomfortable when located on pressure points such as the heel and the metatarsal heads at the front of the foot.

Unlike Corns Or Calluses, which grow over a bony prominence, warts are usually on the softer padding of the foot.

Who Do Warts and Plantar Warts Affect?

Warts and plantar warts affect many people during their life, but they are most common in children, teenagers, and young adults, especially in those who are 12 to 16-years old.

Young people who live together and share common bathing areas, such as college or boarding school students, members of a public gym, or people in the military, often develop plantar warts.

The virus spreads easily in warm moist environments like public showers and pools.

For reasons that are not fully understood, some people are immune to the virus. Others are highly susceptible to warts. Warts seldom occur in adults who never previously had viral warts.

How Do Warts and Plantar Warts Occur?

Warts and Plantar warts occur due to an infection by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) virus.

The virus infiltrates broken skin and infects the topmost layer, the epidermis, which results in the formation of a wart. This process can take several months before a wart becomes noticeable.

Avoid direct contact with plantar warts, including your own. Warts can be spread if they are touched followed by touching another part of your body.

Warts can spread to other individuals by skin to skin contacts such as:

• Skin to skin contact
• Sharing razors, towels and other similar personal items. 

There is no known way to completely prevent plantar warts, though various precautionary measures may help. These include: changing shoes and socks according to your activity, using fresh socks for athletic activities, airing out athletic shoes, and keeping the feet clean and dry.

Causes of Warts and Plantar Warts?

Warts and plantar warts are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Certain risk factors that increase the chances of warts include:

• Age of 35 or younger
• People who have damaged skin due to nail biting, or nicks from shaving,
• Exposed scratches,
• Meat or fish handling occupations are more likely to develop them,
• People with weakened immune systems such as diabetics, HIV/AIDS patients, young children or other immune system disorders
• Walking barefoot where the virus can be found, in the moist, warm environment of a locker room, for example, can spread the virus.

Symptoms of Warts and Plantar Warts

The symptoms include:

• Small rough skin growth noticed on hands or soles of the feet,
• Thickened skin areas on the same spots, and
• Tenderness when using hands or walking and standing.

Types Of Warts and Plantar Warts

Warts can be classified according to their location. Warts or common warts are most commonly found on hands, whereas Plantar Warts are located on the soles of feet.

They range from the size of a pinhead to a few centimetres across.

How are Warts and Plantar Warts Diagnosed?

The diagnosis for warts and plantar warts is made by visual inspection of the hands and feet and taking history.

The doctor may also take a skin sample from the lesion for shave biopsy which is sent for laboratory analysis.

How are Warts and Plantar Warts Treated?

When a wart or plantar warts require treatment there are a number of other approaches, including:

Acid treatments

Removal with special acid peeling medicine such as those in which salicylic acid is applied directly to the wart on a daily basis, depends on careful patent compliance for effectiveness.

A doctor usually debrides the wart on a weekly basis, checking to be sure that all dead cells have been cleaned from the site of the wart.

Cryotherapy For Plantar Warts

Freezing Treatment with liquid nitrogen (Cryotherapy)

Immunotherapy

which makes the patient immune to the virus

Electrocautery

or the burning of the wart with an electric needle

Laser Surgery

What If Warts and Plantar Warts are Untreated?

Plantar warts are not very serious conditions and resolve on their own eventually. However, in some cases, plantar warts can become painful, resulting in:

• Altered gait and
• Posture

These changes can further cause joint discomfort or muscle aches.