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PLANTAR WARTS

Pacific Podiatry

Valerie Valdivieso-Diaz, DPM

Podiatry located in Miami, FL

Plantar warts are benign skin growths that children often get on their feet. If you’ve seen a wart on your child’s foot or are concerned about a growth on your own foot, set your mind at rest and have skilled podiatrist Valerie Valdivieso-Diaz, DPM, of Pacific Podiatry take a look. She’s a foot and ankle specialist with extensive experience in diagnosing and treating foot problems, and her gentle, approachable manner helps children feel calm and safe. Call the Miami clinic or book an appointment online today.

Plantar WARTS –  Q&A

What are plantar warts?

Plantar warts grow on feet that have been in contact with certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). Plantar warts have no cancerous cells in them, so they aren’t harmful. And although the HPV virus also causes genital warts, it’s a different strain that’s responsible for plantar warts.

Plantar warts often disappear after a couple of years, but in the meantime, they can be irritating or cause mild pain, especially if they develop on or near pressure points. Plantar warts usually measure around a quarter of an inch across but may grow larger or appear in clusters known as mosaic warts.

How do you get plantar warts?

The HPV virus spreads via human contact when an infected person touches another person. If people who have warts touch surfaces such as shower cubicles or door handles, the HPV virus may infect anyone else who touches the same surface.

Contact has to be with the affected area, which could be plantar warts on the feet or palmar warts on the hands. The same strains of HPV cause palmar warts and plantar warts, but palmar warts affect the hands rather than the feet.

The risk of infection is relatively low, but if you have warts, you should observe basic hygiene standards and remember to keep your warts covered up in public places. People with lowered immunity are more likely to contract warts, but anyone could pick up the virus and develop plantar warts.

Can I treat plantar warts at home?

Plantar warts often disappear on their own accord, but it can take several years for that to happen. You can buy over-the-counter wart lotions and ointments that use salicylic acid to gradually peel away layers of the wart, or freezing sprays that aim to kill the wart.

These methods are a little hit and miss, so if your warts are sore or painful, or you want to improve your chances of getting rid of your warts, get them treated by Dr. Valdivieso-Diaz at Pacific Podiatry.

How are plantar warts treated?

Dr. Valdivieso-Diaz treats plantar warts using one of the following methods:

  • Liquid nitrogen to freeze the wart
  • Laser therapy to remove the wart
  • Medications that boost the immune system and help it clear the wart more quickly
  • Outpatient surgery to remove the wart

It can be difficult to treat plantar warts because so much of the wart is below the skin. However, the methods used at Pacific Podiatry have a far higher success rate than home remedies.

Call Pacific Podiatry today or book an appointment online to get started on plantar wart treatment.

SERVICES WE OFFER

INGROWN TOENAIL

PLANTAR FASCIITIS

FUNGAL NAILS

ARTHRITIS

PLANTAR WART

ATHLETE’S FOOT

DIABETIC FEET

BUNIONS

SPRAINED ANKLE

Patient Insurance

We are proud to participate with several government and commercial insurance plans. The Pacific Podiatry Center accepts most major insurance plans. We also welcome patients without insurance.

Please call our office at (786) 322-3111 and we will be happy to provide information regarding out-of-pocket costs.

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