FYI: Over-the-counter medications contain chemicals that destroy skin cells (e.g., acid) and may damage healthy tissue surrounding the wart and contribute to spreading. Self-treatment for plantar warts using an over-the-counter preparation is not recommended.
ACID: In some cases, podiatrists apply mild acid (e.g., salicylic acid, cantharidin, dichloroacetic acid) topically to treat plantar warts. This treatment, which often requires multiple applications over the course of several weeks, disintegrates viral cells and allows healthy skin cells to replace them.
LASERT TREATMENTS: (e.g., CO2 laser) can be used to treat plantar warts. Laser treatment is performed in a podiatrist's office or an outpatient surgery facility using local anesthesia. Lasers produce little scarring and are effective in most cases.
SURGICAL REMOVAL (called curettage) is a common procedure performed in a podiatrist's office under local anesthesia. Generally, this procedure is used to remove isolated warts, areas not greater than 1–2 cm, or several small warts in a limited area (mosaic patches). Surgical curettage can be combined with other treatments, as necessary.
CAUSE:
- The cause is a virus called HPV (human papilloma virus), which infects the skin and causes the abnormal growth. There are many different varieties of the virus, which usually depends on the location of the lesion.
DIAGNOSIS:
-
Diagnosis is usually made by
a doctor who recognizes the
typical appearance of warts.
- Occasionally, a biopsy (in which a sample of the affected area of skin is removed and examined under a microscope) is needed to confirm the diagnosis.
TREATMENT:
-
There are multiple
treatments available for
warts; however, there is no
guarantee of a cure or a way
to prevent recurrences.
Therefore, the goal of
treatment is to keep
patients wart-free as long
as possible.
- Treatments currently available:
