Plantar warts are most common in children, but anyone can develop them on the bottom of their feet. If you have these warts, it’s not usually a medical concern, but they can be painful and unsightly. At PREMIER PODIATRY, INC, Dr. Jonnica Dozier provides reliable treatment to get rid of these stubborn growths. To schedule an appointment for plantar warts with PREMIER PODIATRY, INC, call the office in Bethlehem, Georgia, or book online today.

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What causes plantar warts?

Plantar warts develop after you’ve come in contact with a strain of the human papillomavirus (HPV). The virus creeps in through cracks or tiny cuts in your feet. You might come into contact with the virus in a public shower, on a pool deck, or by sharing a towel.

Adults can build up immunity to the HPV strain that causes plantar warts, which is why they’re more common in children.

Should I be concerned about plantar warts?

Plantar warts aren’t usually a cause of medical concern but can sometimes be painful or just unattractive. If you’re bothered by their appearance, they seem to be spreading, or they cause pain when you put pressure on them while you walk or run, it’s important to seek treatment.

How do I know I have a plantar wart?

Warts can look different depending on the person, but generally, look for:

  • Small, fleshy growths
  • Hard, thickened skin
  • Lesions along the lines and ridges of the skin of your foot
  • Pain or tenderness at the bottom of the foot pad

Sometimes plantar warts have a black dot in the center, called a seed. This is a clotted blood vessel that serves as the fuel for the wart’s growth.

How do I avoid getting plantar warts?

The HPV virus that causes plantar warts is very contagious. You can avoid it by:

  • Keeping your feet clean and dry
  • Always wearing shoes in public places like pool decks and showers
  • Not picking at or scratching existing warts

If you regularly get professional pedicures, make sure they use sterilized tools. Avoid touching any warts and then touching other parts of your foot or body.

How are plantar warts treated?

If you’re not finding the relief you need with over-the-counter topical wart treatments, Dr. Dozier may offer prescription-strength topicals. You use this topical application for several weeks, which can cause the wart to dry up and fall off.

If you have a very troublesome case of warts that won’t respond to topical treatments, Dr. Dozier may recommend surgery.

To schedule an appointment for plantar warts with PREMIER PODIATRY, INC, call the office in Bethlehem, Georgia, or book online today.