MamasHealth.com Home Skin Health Acne Anal Warts Anhidrosis Athlete's Foot Bed Sores Boils Cellulitis Chafing Chilblains Contact Dermatitis Cosmetic Surgery Cradle Cap Dandruff Diaper Rash Eczema Elastosis Erysipelas Fifth Disease Flat Wart Flea Bites Folliculitis Frostbite Heat Rash Hives Hyperhidrosis Ichthyosis Impetigo Jock Itch Keloids Lichen Planus Measles Mole Molluscum Poison Ivy Plantar Warts Postherpetic Neuralgia Prevent Acne Psoriasis Ringworms Roscea Roseola Scabies Scalded Skin Scar Tissue Scleroderma Seborrheic Dermatitis Shingles Skin Cancer Soothe sunburned skin Sun Burn Stretch Marks Warts Vitiligo Xeroderma Pigmentosum Links Skincare Information Hair Care Tummy tuck Email Mama Sign up for the MamasHealth Newsletter	What are Plantar Warts? Plantar warts are a common skin infection that occurs on the bottom side of your foot. Warts are benign tumors of the epidermis. They often spread to other areas of the foot, increase in size, and multiply. Plantar warts are very painful and tender. They are usually rough, bumpy, and spongy. Some may be thick and scaly. Risks? Activities that will increase your chances of developing plantar wards are: Using a public shower or walking around the locker room in your bare feet What causes Plantar Warts? Warts are caused by a the human pappiloma virus (HPV). The HPV virus enters the body through a break in the skin. The virus grows in warm, moist environments, such as those created in a locker room or in your shoes when your feet perspire and the moisture is trapped. What do Plantar Warts look like? Plantar warts are gray or brown and have a center with one or more dark pinpoints. The dark pinpoints are tiny capillaries that supply blood to the wart. Most times, the portion of the plantar wart under the skin is at least twice as big as the part you can see. Can Plantar Warts be Treated? Yes. There are several different treatments for Plantar Warts. Your doctor can trim the wart and a topical prescribe medicine that will make the wart disappear. The medicine must be applied regularly until the entire wart is dissolved. It may take several weeks for the wart to completely disappear. Some of the most common treatments are: Topical treatment: Cream treatment applied directly on the wart. Acid Treatment: Acid is used to burn them off. A mild acid is applied topically to the wart. Cryotherapy: Freezing warts with a very cold solution. Laser Treatment: Doctors can use lasers to kill the virus. Debridement: Removing the wart with a scalpel. If left untreated, plantar warts may grow up to an inch in circumference and may spread into clusters. Can Plantar Warts be Prevented Yes. Some common ways to prevent plantar warts are: Wear shower thongs or sandals when you use a public locker room or shower. Use foot powders and change your socks frequently to keep the feet dry.	Featured Book
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