We often take our feet for granted, assuming they’ll hold up their end of the bargain in getting us to where we need to go. Unfortunately, even the smallest problem can affect our ability to move with ease. And this can certainly be said of warts.
While warts may seem insignificant, once you develop these uncomfortable growths, you understand just how frustrating this condition can be. If you’ve tried over-the-counter remedies, to no avail, the team of qualified foot health experts here at Neuhaus Foot and Ankle can help you resolve plantar warts, once and for all.
Warts on your feet are called plantar warts, which refer to their location on the underside of your foot. More specifically, these warts tend to form on weight-bearing areas, such as the balls of your feet or heels, which can make mobility difficult due to the discomfort.
Plantar warts are caused when certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) make their way into your feet. In many cases, these HPV types linger in warm, moist environments, such as public locker rooms or swimming pools.
Once the virus enters through a break in your skin, you may notice a rough patch develop on the balls of your feet, near the base of your toes, or on your heels. In some cases, warts may form outward skin growths that are rough and grainy. In other cases, warts can grow inward, forming a callus over the top that “seals” the wart inside.
Many plantar warts also feature a black dot in the center, which are tiny clots in blood vessels.
Because of their location, plantar warts can often cause moderate-to-severe discomfort in your feet, especially when you’re bearing weight on them.
Making matters more frustrating, plantar warts can be very stubborn and often resist over-the-counter medications. Even if they respond to treatment, plantar warts can often recur if the virus still lingers in your system.
If you’re tired of struggling with painful plantar warts, we offer cryotherapy, a technique in which we freeze — and destroy — the warts.
To accomplish this, we apply liquid nitrogen directly to your warts during an in-office procedure. The cryotherapy treatment takes us only seconds to administer, and you’re free to return home afterward.
During the days following your cryotherapy, you may develop a blister over the treated area. Plan on minimizing the time you spend on your feet as your skin heals. Rest assured, we supply you with complete aftercare instructions to ensure that your feet recover properly.
If your plantar warts are extensive or they’ve grown inward, we may need to make more than one pass with the liquid nitrogen to ensure that we treat the entire area.
If you want to put an end to your plantar warts through cryotherapy, please contact one of our locations in Hermitage, Brentwood, Nashville, Mount Juliet, Waverly, Smyrna, Gallatin, or Lebanon, Tennessee, for guidance and treatment.
