One of the common problems that bring patients to my office is plantar warts. Plantar warts are common among teenagers. Most patients present to the office after self treating for a while without success. Plantar warts present as skin overgrowths on the bottom of the foot, especially on the sole and the heels where much of the weight is placed when walking. When they first appear, they're usually not painful. As the wart gets bigger and pushes deeper into the skin it becomes very painful. Plantar warts can multiply on the bottom of the foot.
Plantar warts are caused by Human Papilloma Virus. Some people are more susceptible to contacting the virus than others. The virus enters the skin through any tiny breaks of the superficial layer of the skin called the epidermis. People can contact the virus by wearing dirty socks and shoes, going barefooted in public areas such as swimming pools and locker rooms and stepping barefooted in dirty areas where the virus is lurking.
As a prevention protocol, I advise my patients to always check their feet. In the case of little children the parents need to check their children's feet. People need to avoid wearing dirty socks or wearing other people's socks and shoes. When using a public swimming pool, always wear slippers in the locker rooms.
Treatments for plantar warts available in my office are debridement and salicylic acid, topical medication, cryotherapy and Bleomycin injection. Treatment of plantar warts can take up to 3-6 weeks to resolve completely. Each patient is treated differently depending on how the wart manifests itself on the patient's foot. Plantar wart is a disease that one should not overlook. Self-treatment is never effective. Using over the counter remedies without seeking professional treatment from the Doctor is never recommended. Delaying seeking professional treatment will allow the wart to grow deeper in the skin and making it harder to treat.
For more information http://www.ttfootandankle.com
Dr. Mafutaga S. Tagaloa-Tulifau
TAGALOA-TULIFAU FOOT AND ANKLE CENTER
WE PROVIDE THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE FOOT AND ANKLE CARE
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
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