Warts are one of several soft tissue conditions of the foot that can be quite painful. They are caused by a virus, which generally invades the skin through small or invisible cuts and abrasions. They can appear anywhere on the skin, but technically only those on the sole are properly called plantar warts.

Children, especially teenagers, tend to be more susceptible to warts than adults; some people seem to be immune. Most warts are harmless, even though they may be painful. They are often mistaken for corns or calluses?which are layers of dead skin that build up to protect an area which is being continuously irritated. The wart, however, is a viral infection.

Tips for Prevention

?Avoid walking barefoot, except on sandy beaches.

?Change shoes and socks daily.

?Keep feet clean and dry.

?Check children's feet periodically.

?Avoid direct contact with warts?from other persons or from other parts of the body.

?Do not ignore growths on, or changes in, your skin.

Causes:

?We do not know why some people get plantar warts easily while others never get them. There is no way to prevent plantar warts.

?Plantar warts are common. They may bleed if injured.

?Since plantar warts are caused by a virus, they are slightly contagious (can spread from person to person). You should not share clothing or linen with someone who has plantar warts. Plantar warts may spread on the body and seed other areas.

?Plantar warts should be treated because they are contagious and rarely a plantar wart left untreated for years can become cancerous.

Treatment:

?There is no single perfect treatment for plantar warts, since we are unable to kill the virus without killing the cells that the virus has infected.

?However, many people have noticed significant results with natural products such as Dermisil for Warts an effective plantar wart treatment.

?Plantar warts can be destroyed with surgery, by freezing with liquidnitrogen or with other chemicals. A good treatment to start off with is Duofilm or Dr. Scholl's Clear Away (40% salicylic acid plasters) available without a prescription from your pharmacy.

?The CO2 laser is the most effective method for treating warts, but it is also the most expensive method. We do have this treatment available.