Verruca plantaris — this seemingly important name is simply the medical term used to describe warts that develop on your feet. While not necessarily dangerous, plantar warts can be bothersome, especially since they tend to develop in high-pressure areas, like the bottoms of your feet. In fact, the word “plantar” indicates the soles of your feet.
At Neuhaus Foot and Ankle, our experienced podiatry team has treated its fair share of plantar warts. We want to highlight this condition here, especially as we head into summer, which is the prime time for this unwelcome viral infection.
If you want to spend your summer barefoot and wart-free, here are a few lifestyle tips that will keep plantar warts at bay.
One of the most important steps you can take to avoid plantar warts (not to mention athlete’s foot and toenail fungus) is to ensure that your feet are well protected in warm, wet environments, such as public swimming pools or locker rooms. Warts are caused by certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), which prefer to linger where it’s dark, warm, and wet.
When you’re in these areas, be sure to wear sandals to minimize any potential contact with this virus.
Another great step for avoiding plantar warts is to keep your feet clean and out of sweaty socks or shoes. Swap out your shoes often and allow them to dry completely before putting them on again. And, if you like to be active, it’s helpful to have a clean, dry pair of socks on hand.
Warts aren’t necessarily contagious in terms of person-to-person contact, but your infection can spread on your own body. If you develop plantar warts, don’t pick at them as you may spread the virus to your hands. If your hands do come in contact with your warts, we recommend that you wash your hands thoroughly afterward.
As well, if you’re using pedicure tools, such as a pumice stone or emery board, be sure to sanitize them afterward and don’t use these instruments on healthy areas of your feet after they’ve come in contact with your existing warts.
It may be tempting to take matters into your own hands when it comes to warts, but you run the risk of making the problem even worse (this is especially true if you have diabetes).
If you want to get rid of plantar warts without incident, it’s best that you come see us at the first signs of these growths. We offer several approaches when it comes to plantar warts, depending upon the extent of the problem, which include:
If you’d like to learn more about preventing or treating plantar warts, schedule an appointment at one of our locations in Hermitage, Brentwood, Nashville, Mount Juliet, Waverly, Smyrna, Gallatin, or Lebanon, Tennessee.
