Plantar Warts Treatment in Bedford, TX
What are Plantar Warts?
Warts are small growths on the skin that develop when the skin is infected with a virus. Warts can show up anywhere on the foot, but they are typically found on the bottom (plantar side) of the foot. Plantar warts, as they are often called, are mostly found on the feet of children, adolescents and the elderly.
On average, these warts are small - typically the size of a pencil eraser - but they can grow bigger and sometimes appear in clusters. These warts do not stick up above the skin as much as warts on other parts of the body because the pressure of walking has a flattening effect on them.
Causes and Symptoms of Plantar Warts
Plantar warts are caused by direct contact with human papillomavirus (HPV). There are more than 100 types of HPV, but only a few cause warts on the feet. Other types of HPV are more likely to cause warts on other areas of the body. Plantar warts grow slowly, with the wart starting small and becoming larger over time.
Warts are not harmful and usually go away in time without any treatment, but they can be unsightly and painful. Common symptoms of plantar warts include:
- Thickened skin: Plantar warts often resemble calluses because of their tough, thick surface on the skin.
- Pain: Ordinary activities like walking and standing can become painful as a result of walking and standing on a wart.
- Black dots: Dried blood contained in the blood vessels of the wart often appears on the surface of the wart.
Plantar warts are spread from person to person, and transmission can be indirect. Everyone's risk of getting warts is different, but those who have weakened immune systems are more susceptible.
Plantar Warts Diagnosis and Treatment
To diagnose plantar warts, your doctor will start by gathering a comprehensive patient history. A physical examination of the affected foot will also be conducted, and the doctor will examine the bottom of the foot, looking and feeling for signs of plantar warts.
Although plantar warts typically clear up on their own, many patients desire faster relief through podiatric treatment. The goal of plantar wart treatment is to completely remove the wart. Treatment methods for plantar warts include:
- Cryotherapy: Using liquid nitrogen, the doctor can permanently remove warts.
- Topical medications: These medications work to disrupt the wart's skin cell growth and fight HPV.
- Laser surgery: Using an intense beam of light, laser surgery is used to remove warts by burning and destroying the wart tissue.
- Injection therapy: Antiviral medications are used to eliminate the virus that causes the wart.
Regardless of the treatment approach, it is important for the patient to follow his or her doctor's instructions, including conducting all home care and taking all medication as prescribed.
Request more information about plantar wart treatment today. Call (817) 203-2760 or contact The New You Medical & Infusion Clinic online.
The New You Medical & Infusion Clinic
Address
100 Grapevine HwyHurst, TX 76054
(817) 203-2760
https://www.newyoumedclinic.com/
Hours
Mon:
10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Tue:
10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Wed:
10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Thu:
10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Fri:
Closed
Sat:
Closed
Sun:
Closed