When Should You Visit A Specialist For Plantar Warts?

Plantar warts can develop as a result of the introduction of the human papillomavirus into an area of your body. In the foot area, this virus can enter through tiny cracks or cuts on the bottom of the feet, which can then lead to the formation of small plantar warts in the area. They tend to grow on your heel or the balls of your feet underneath a thick layer of skin called a callous.

In most instances, plantar warts are more unsightly than anything, but there are instances where you’ll want to have them examined and cared for by a professional. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at when you should connect with a specialist about your plantar warts, and how they can help treat them.

Treating Plantar Warts

As we mentioned above, most plantar warts are not cause for actual concern, and oftentimes they end up going away on their own over time. However, some people like to have them professionally removed because they are mildly uncomfortable or they do not like their appearance on their feet. We can help treat plantar warts for cosmetic reasons, but if any of these other issues are true, you should reach out to a specialist to have them examine your plantar warts and talk about treatment options:

• Warts that bleed
• Warts that grow or change appearance
• The development of additional warts in other areas of the foot
• If you are diabetic or have poor sensitivity in your feet
• You have a weakened immune system
• If you are shying away from activities because of the presence of the wart

The team at The Centers For Advanced Orthopaedics can help treat your plantar warts in a few different ways. Treatment will be based on which route the patient decides to choose, and we can always try different methods if the original treatment fails to fully resolve the wart. Some common treatments for plantar warts that we can provide include:

• Topical medications
• Oral medications
• Cryotherapy/Freezing
• Laser therapy
• Surgical excision

All of these treatments have been successful in helping patients find relief, but because they develop as a result of a virus and your body’s immune response, what works for one person may not work for another. If medications and cryotherapy fail to provide relief, a more hands-on approach in the form of laser therapy or a minimally invasive excision may be recommended.

So if you’re dealing with symptomatic plantar warts or you’d just rather have the unsightly blemishes removed, reach out to the team at The Centers For Advanced Orthopaedics today for more information at (703) 584-2040.