Plantar warts (verruca plantaris) are a benign skin infection that occurs on the feet caused by HPV (human papillomavirus). When HPV enters a break in the skin, this can cause an infection. Plantar warts appear as rough bumps and form on the bottom of the feet, on or between the toes, or on the heel of the foot. Over time, they may become painful and obstruct an individual’s ability to walk or run. Left untreated, Plantar warts can cause stress to the joints, muscles, and surrounding tissues in the feet and ankles. Plantar warts should be treated by a podiatrist, a medical doctor specializing in treating conditions of the feet and ankles. If you live near Denver, CO, Dr. Florin Costache and Dr. Lorry Melnick at Cherry Creek Foot & Ankle Clinic are highly skilled, qualified podiatrists who can successfully treat plantar warts and other foot ailments.
What Are Plantar Warts?
Plantar warts grow deep into the skin and may present with a thick, rough surface dotted with specks. These specks are known as wart seeds and indicate dried blood clots. The skin around the plantar wart may be discolored and turn brown, yellow, dark pink, purple, or gray. Individuals with plantar warts frequently experience discomfort, pain, tenderness, and sometimes bleeding. Plantar warts may grow into a large group or cluster, known as a mosaic wart.
Plantar warts are contagious. If skin with a break or cut comes into contact with HPV through shared items such as towels, socks, and shoes or direct skin-to-skin contact, plantar warts can emerge within two to six months after exposure. Individuals can also contract plantar warts at public pools, in the sauna or gym, and in other public areas. Plantar warts can also spread to other parts of the body if an individual infects themselves by touching the plantar wart.
For individuals in Denver, CO, contact Cherry Creek Foot & Ankle Clinic to make an appointment with an expert podiatrist, who will examine the plantar wart and may perform a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. While some plantar warts go away on their own after one or two years, treatment options for plantar warts include cryotherapy (extreme cold to freeze the plantar wart), laser treatment (uses heat to destroy the blood vessels in the plantar wart), electrocautery (burns off the plantar wart), immunotherapy (helps the immune system fight HPV), surgery, or topical medicine.
Contact Us Today
Dr. Costache and Dr. Melnick at Cherry Creek Foot & Ankle Clinic in Denver, CO, have vast expertise in treating plantar warts and other foot conditions. If you suspect you have plantar warts, call to make an appointment today. (303) 355-1695.
