Plantar Warts

Plantar Warts Treatment in Chicago, IL 60634

Plantar warts treatment in the Cook County, IL: Chicago (Cicero, Evanston, Skokie, Berwyn, Oak Park, Park Ridge, Niles, Morton Grove, Elmwood Park, Melrose Park, Maywood, Norridge, Forest Park) areasPlantar warts develop on the plantar areas of the feet, namely the soles or the bottom of the feet that bear weight. Sometimes plantar warts can grow in a cluster, which is referred to as mosaic warts. Though they are generally harmless, plantar warts can be very painful and can require professional help.

Causes of Plantar Warts

Plantar warts can develop when a virus enters through the skin, often by a cut or scrape. They’re contagious and typically spread in locations such as public swimming pools, communal showers, as well as your shower at home. Gym facilities and yoga studios may also be more susceptible to plantar wart breakouts due to their publicly shared spaces. Plantar warts are commonly found among children and those with weaker immune systems.

To tell if you have plantar warts, you should check the soles of your feet for bumpy growths. Sometimes these growths may come with a tiny black dot in the center. You may also have plantar warts if you experience pain when walking or standing up. Because plantar warts are easily confused with other foot conditions like corns or calluses, it’s important you seek professional help for proper treatment.

If you suspect you have plantar warts, you may have the following symptoms: pain or tenderness while walking, a lesion that interrupts the ridges in the skin of your foot, small fleshy lesions on the bottom of the foot, or a callus where a wart has grown inward over a well-defined spot on the skin.

Since plantar warts are caused by HPV, or human papillomavirus, and is very contagious, it’s important that you take certain measures to help avoid getting this condition. To start, you can do this by washing your hands frequently and drying them completely, since warts thrive with moisture. You should also wear shoes in public spaces like swimming pools and locker rooms. It’s important to avoid touching someone else’s wart or picking at your own warts as well. Along with not picking at your warts, it’s imperative that you refrain from shaving, brushing, or clipping areas that have warts.

If you’d like more information about plantar warts and how they’re treated, we recommend you speak with a podiatrist for professional guidance and care.

Plantar Warts (FAQs)

What are plantar warts?
Plantar warts are benign, fleshy growths that can occur on the bottom of the feet due to a viral infection. The warts may or may not be painful, depending on their location on the foot. Warts that are located on areas that bear a lot of weight, like the heel, may grow inwards due to pressure from walking or standing, which can be particularly painful.
What do plantar warts look like?
Plantar warts can occur individually or in a cluster. They are typically fleshy, circular areas of dry, grainy skin. Warts on the feet are usually flat, but can sometimes be raised. They may be small or large. Warts can be differentiated from corns and calluses by the small, black dots located at their centers. These dots are actually the blood supply to the wart.
What causes plantar warts?
Plantar warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) getting into the skin of the feet. HPV is highly contagious and can be contracted through contact with infected surfaces, like locker room floors, or infected individuals. This is why you should avoid going barefoot in public spaces and sharing personal items like shoes, socks, and towels.
How are plantar warts treated?
There are a variety of treatments available for plantar warts. Some warts can go away on their own or with the help of over-the-counter treatments. Others may require medical intervention, particularly if they are large, wide-spread, painful, showing signs of infection, or if you have a systemic illness like diabetes that can interfere with healing. Medical treatment options for plantar warts include applying salicylic acid to the wart, freezing or burning it off, laser treatments, or surgical excision. Talk to your podiatrist to determine the right course of treatment for you.

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Advanced Podiatric Procedures & Services in the Cook County, IL: Chicago (Cicero, Evanston, Skokie, Berwyn, Oak Park, Park Ridge, Niles, Morton Grove, Elmwood Park, Melrose Park, Maywood, Norridge, Forest Park) areas