Plantar Wart Treatment

Plantar wart is a viral infection through contact with the papillomavirus. These warts can appear singly or in groups, forming a mosaic-shaped wart. The first choice treatment is based on salicylic acid.

Plantar wart is a viral infection caused by direct contact with the human papillomavirus. It lodges in the first two layers of the skin, the epidermis and the dermis, but never reaches the deepest layers.

The name papilloma is given to viral infections caused by this strain but when it relates to the foot it is called plantar wart. They can be of different sizes depending on the extent of the lesion and its latency can be up to 8 months.

There are two types of plantar warts. On the one hand, the solitary wart, which is a single wart that often increases in size. It rarely multiplies to form additional warts called satellites.

The other type of plantar wart is the mosaic type wart. This is a group of several small warts that grow very close to each other in the same area. This type of warts is more difficult to treat than solitary warts.

Symptoms of plantar warts

The growth of warts is slow and deep, but they give rise to a series of signs and symptoms such as:

• Thicker skin: A plantar wart often looks like a callus due to its thick, hard tissue
• Pain : walking or just standing can be painful
• Black dots: Small black dots often appear on the surface of the wart. These dots are dried blood that remains in the blood capillaries

Diagnostic

To diagnose a plantar wart, the doctor will examine the patient’s foot. During the exam, the doctor will pinch the lesion to see if there is pain, as plantar warts cause pain when pinched, not when pressed. However, when the wart is covered with keratin, it can be uncomfortable to press on the area.

Another option for diagnosis is to cut the lesion with a scalpel and check for signs of small black dots. In addition, have removed part of the lesion for a biopsy.

Plantar wart treatment

Most plantar warts are harmless and go away without treatment, although it can take a year or two. However, when they are treated, it is more common for the treatment to be repeated several times until they go away.

However, they can reappear. Here are some of the treatments used to remove plantar wart.

Salicylic acid exfoliation

Salicylic acid treatments work by gradually removing the layers of the wart. They can also help strengthen the immune system’s ability to fight warts.

Cryotherapy

Freezing therapy or cryotherapy is performed in the doctor’s office. It involves applying liquid nitrogen to the wart using a cotton swab or spray .

After application, a blister will form around the wart. After a week, the dead tissue will fall off. Additionally, cryotherapy can also help boost the immune system.

You will likely need to repeat the treatment every two weeks until the wart is gone. Some studies indicate that cryotherapy is more effective when combined with salicylic acid treatments.

Surgery and other treatment alternatives

If the above treatments are not effective, you may be recommended one of the following procedures:

• Trichloroacetic acid : this acid is applied to the plantar wart with a wooden stick. It is recommended to be applied weekly, although the doctor’s advice is probably to alternate it with salicylic acid. Side effects of this treatment include itching and stinging.
• Minor surgery : in this case, the doctor cuts the wart or destroys it with an electric needle. This process is called curettage or electrodessication. Curettage can leave scars and for this reason it is not often used unless other treatments have not been effective.
• Laser treatment : The pulsed laser burns the small blood vessels that are closed. Then, over time, the infected tissue dies and the wart falls off. Laser treatment should be repeated every three to four weeks. Keep in mind, however, that this procedure can cause pain and scarring.

As a complementary measure, be aware that if pressure on the plantar wart causes pain, the use of padded shoes may relieve it. For this reason, avoid tight, uncomfortable shoes and, as an alternative, wear shoes that provide good support on the ball of the foot and relieve pressure.