Foot warts can be embarrassing and uncomfortable, making you want to hide your feet and avoid painful activities. You may have tried over-the-counter treatments or home remedies without success, and you’re not alone. Many people struggle with persistent warts and questions about how to handle them.
If you're tired of dealing with persistent foot warts that make you want to keep your shoes on at all times, the expert podiatrists at Marvel Foot & Ankle Centers are here to help. We know how much warts can affect your self-confidence and quality of life, and we're dedicated to providing state-of-the-art wart treatment and removal in Arizona.
Our experienced foot doctors will thoroughly assess your condition, discuss your concerns and lifestyle needs, and recommend a personalized treatment plan to restore healthy, wart-free skin. We offer a range of effective treatments from medicated creams to advanced laser therapy. You don't have to feel ashamed or suffer in silence. Our caring podiatry team can help you love your feet again.
What Causes Warts on the Feet?
Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). This common virus can enter your body through small cuts or breaks in the skin, often on the soles of the feet. The warm, moist environment inside shoes creates an ideal breeding ground for the virus.
The HPV strains that cause warts are highly contagious. Walking barefoot in public areas like locker rooms, showers, and pool decks increases your risk of exposure. Once you have a wart, you can spread the virus to other parts of your body.
Certain factors can make you more susceptible to developing foot warts, including:
- A weakened immune system. Medical conditions and medications that suppress your immune system make it harder for your body to fight HPV.
- Skin conditions. Chronic skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis can cause breaks in the skin, providing an entry point for HPV.
- Excessive sweating. Hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, can create a damp environment where the wart virus thrives.
- Ill-fitting shoes. Shoes that are too tight can cause friction and pressure points, making it easier for HPV to invade the skin.
Types of Foot Warts We Treat
At Marvel Foot & Ankle Centers, our podiatrists are experts at identifying and treating all types of foot warts, including:
- Plantar warts. These rough, grainy growths most often appear on the heels or balls of the feet. Plantar warts grow inward due to the pressure of standing and walking. They can be painful and may resemble calluses.
- Mosaic warts. When multiple plantar warts grow close together in a cluster, they are called mosaic warts. This type of wart can be more challenging to treat because of the sheer number of warts present.
- Periungual warts. These warts grow under and around the toenails. Periungual warts can affect nail growth if not treated promptly and may be mistaken for ingrown toenails.
Diagnosing Foot Warts
Some people initially mistake warts for corns or calluses and may attempt to treat them the same. However, warts require different treatment from other skin conditions. Our skilled podiatrists can distinguish warts from other foot lesions by carefully examining the area. We may also pare down the thickened skin to check for signs of wart tissue, such as black pinpoints that indicate clotted blood vessels.
We may perform a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other skin conditions. A biopsy involves removing a small sample of the growth and sending it to a lab for microscopic analysis. This quick procedure is done under local anesthesia in our office and causes minimal discomfort.
Wart Treatment and Removal Options
Marvel Foot & Ankle offers several effective options for wart treatment and removal, including:
- Topical medications. Prescription wart medications containing salicylic acid or other peeling agents can gradually remove warts layer by layer. These products are often used in combination with other treatments. Be sure to follow your podiatrist's instructions carefully and keep the skin protected.
- Cryotherapy. During this in-office procedure, we apply liquid nitrogen to the wart with a spray or cotton swab. The extreme cold destroys the wart tissue, so it peels away over time. Cryotherapy may require repeat treatments for complete wart removal. Temporary blistering and soreness are common side effects.
- Laser treatment. We use a specialized laser that penetrates the wart and destroys the blood vessels that feed it, causing it to die and fall off. Laser wart removal is fast, precise, and typically requires fewer treatments than other methods.
- Electrocautery and curettage. We may recommend this minor surgical procedure if other treatments are ineffective. After numbing the area, we use an electric needle to burn off the wart tissue, then scoop it out with a sharp curette. Healing typically takes a few weeks, and the treated area may be tender during recovery.
After wart removal, it's crucial to take steps to prevent recurrence. Keep your feet clean and dry, avoid walking barefoot in public areas, and never ignore skin irritation or injuries on your feet. Support your immune system by eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and managing stress.