Plantar Warts

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.

Plantar warts tend to be hard and flat, with a rough surface and well-defined boundaries; warts are generally raised and fleshier when they appear on the top of the foot or on the toes. Plantar warts are often gray or brown (but the color may vary), with a center that appears as one or more black pinpoints. It is important to note that warts can be very resistant to treatment and tend to recur. When plantar warts develop on the weight-bearing areas of the foot (the ball of the foot, or the heel, for example), they can be the source of sharp, burning pain. Pain occurs when weight is brought to bear directly on the wart, although pressure on the side of a wart can create equally intense pain.

Self-treatment is generally not advisable. Over-the-counter preparations contain acids or chemicals that destroy skin cells, and it takes an expert to destroy abnormal skin cells (warts) without also destroying surrounding healthy tissue. Self-treatment with such medications especially should be avoided by people with diabetes and those with cardiovascular or circulatory disorders. Never use these medications in the presence of an active infection.

It is wise to consult with our doctor when any suspicious growth or eruption is detected on the skin of the foot in order to ensure a correct diagnosis. These presentations can certainly be one of the most frustrating skin conditions. Lasers have become a common and effective treatment. A procedure known as CO2 laser cautery may be performed under local anesthesia in the office surgical setting. The laser reduces post-treatment scarring and is a safe form for eliminating wart lesions. The Foot and Ankle Clinic of Albuquerque, P.C. uses Bleomycin to address hard to treat wart lesions. The efficacy of Bleomycin against recalcitrant plantar warts comes from its ability to bind to human papillomavirus DNA, resulting in single-strand breaks, direct cytotoxic effects, virucidal effects, and upregulation of tumor necrosis factor-a. Bleomycin is administered into the wart lesion by injection and can be effective in patients with especially large plantar warts that are resistant to other therapies, or for patients who want resolution of their warts in weeks rather than months.

Avoid walking barefoot

• Change shoes and socks daily
• Keep feet clean and dry
• Check children’s feet periodically
• Avoid direct contact with warts from other people or from other parts of the
  body
• Do not ignore growths on, or changes in, your skin

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to call The Foot and Ankle
Clinic of Albuquerque, P.C.