If you have unsightly, bumpy growths on your feet that hurt when you stand, walk, or apply pressure, you may have plantar warts. They’re caused by a virus and are easily spread from person to person. In fact, an estimated 33% of kids and teenagers have warts, while they affect only 3% to 5% of adults.
At Glendale Foot and Ankle Podiatry Center, podiatrist Hermoz Ayvazian, DPM, FACFAS, QME has nearly 30 years of experience helping people solve foot and ankle problems. In this blog, he explains more about the symptoms of plantar warts, how you can try to prevent them, and an effective treatment should you have them now or develop them in the future.
Symptoms of plantar warts
Plantar warts are characterized by:
- Bulging, bumpy, fleshy growths on the weight-bearing parts of your feet, such as your heels
- Tenderness and pain in your feet when you stand or walk
- Crusty, yellow, raised areas with a black dot in the center
Plantar warts also present as lesions and can cluster together in a cauliflower-like formation.
Cause of plantar warts
Plantar warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which gets into your body through cuts in your skin. For that reason, Dr. Ayvazian makes these recommendations to prevent HPV and the development of plantar warts:
- Place a bandage over cuts and open wounds
- Wear shoes in communal showers and pools
- Practice good hygiene
- Keep your feet dry
One of the best ways to prevent plantar warts is to refrain from sharing shoes and socks and personal care products, like makeup, razors, towels, soaps, and bath sponges.
Treatment options for plantar warts
At Glendale Foot and Ankle Podiatry Center, we use a groundbreaking technology called Swift, which emits low-grade microwave energy. Your body responds by increasing your immune response, which helps kill the HPV virus and eliminate warts.
During your Swift session, Dr. Ayvazian guides a small probe over the treatment area. You may feel a few moments of pain as the microwave energy heats up the wart, but it subsides instantly when the probe is removed. For best results, you’ll need up to 4 treatments, but each one lasts only 5 or 10 minutes.
If you suspect you have plantar warts, turn to our trusted team in either of our locations in Glendale or Burbank, California for a comprehensive exam and a custom treatment plan. Call today to book your appointment.