Say Goodbye to Plantar Warts

With spring in the air and summer right around the corner, most of us are ready and eager to get back outside. If you have any vacation plans, enjoy a daily run, or hike, or want to spend time in the sun with your family, it’s important that you keep your feet in mind. Some prefer to let their feet breathe during warmer months by choosing sandals or flip-flops, which can uncomfortably rub against our skin, creating a perfect environment for plantar warts to grow. How can you kick warts to the curb this spring? Keep reading to find out!

What You Need to Know

Plantar warts develop when HPV infects the outer layer of the skin on the bottom of your foot. It usually starts as a scaly, rough patch, often with small dark spots. HPV can contaminate the skin with a small crack or cut on your foot and remain active on warm, moist surfaces, like shower stalls, public pools, and changing rooms.

If you remain active with your plantar wart, the friction against it can become quite painful. Putting too much pressure on the soles of your feet may cause calluses to form on top of the wart. Seeing your podiatrist at this stage is important because oftentimes patients self-diagnose their wart as a corn or callus.

Having sweaty feet, cracks on the soles of your feet, or commonly walking barefoot puts you at a higher risk of warts. If you have a strong immune system, some plantar warts can disappear on their own without help, but it’s generally best to see your podiatrist anyway to avoid spreading the infection.

Preventing Plantar Warts

Good foot hygiene is crucial to the prevention of plantar warts. Some tips to help keep your feet healthy include…

  • Wearing clean, dry socks and shoes

  • Checking your shoes for any debris or pebbles

  • Keeping your shoes and socks to yourself – avoid sharing with others.

  • Drying your feet properly after your shower, including in between your toes

  • Avoiding walking barefoot

  • Cleaning your shower or tub frequently

The best way to keep your feet safe and healthy is by calling your podiatrist for help when you need it. If you suspect you have a plantar wart, contact us to schedule an appointment!

Here at PodiatryCare, PC, and the Heel Pain Center, we specialize in custom orthotics, along with various other foot and ankle ailments. Dr. Charlotte George, Dr. Matthew Tschudy, Dr. Rebecca Wiesner, Dr. Kristen Winters, Dr. Laura Vander Poel, and the rest of our team are dedicated to helping our Hartford County patients. To schedule an appointment at our Enfield location, call (860) 741-3041; for an appointment at our South Windsor location, call (860) 644-6525.

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