Warts are so common that it’s tempting to let them go away on their own, but when warts develop on your feet, they grow inward and can cause pain that affects your ability to stay active. Board-certified podiatrist Dr. Scott O’Connor at Premier Podiatry, with three offices in Normal, Pontiac, and Bloomington, Illinois, helps patients of all ages with persistent plantar warts. With Dr. O’Connor’s expert care, you can get rid of warts and stop them from recurring. To schedule an appointment, use online booking or call the nearest office today.
Warts are small, rough growths caused by certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV). When the viruses get through a cut or crack in your skin, they’re often cleared away by your immune system. When they stick around though, a wart develops.
When warts develop on the bottom of your foot, they’re called plantar warts. Plantar warts are often found on pressure points such as your heels or the balls of your feet.
The type of HPV that causes plantar warts is contagious, but not as highly contagious as other warts. You can pick up the virus by coming into direct contact with it, which often occurs in warm, moist environments where you walk around in bare feet, such as swimming pools and locker rooms.
Plantar warts often grow in clusters and usually grow inward rather than outward. Symptoms of plantar warts include:
Plantar warts usually go away on their own, but it could take years before they finally disappear. During that time, they continue to grow and potentially spread. Warts also tend to return if they’re not treated properly, so most patients prefer to get professional help.
Dr. O’Connor has several treatment options to remove your plantar wart, including topical medications, laser therapy, and cryotherapy (freezing).
He can also shave the surface of your wart and apply special acid or perform minor surgery to eliminate plantar warts.
Dr. O’Connor determines if you’re a good candidate for immunotherapy, which consists of oral medications or topical solutions that stimulate your immune system to fight the virus.
You can come in to have Dr. O’Connor treat your plantar wart at any time. It’s especially important to protect your health and schedule an appointment to have your foot examined when:
Call the nearest Premier Podiatry office in Eureka, Pontiac or Normal, Illinois or use online booking to schedule an appointment to receive expert help with plantar warts.
