VERRUCAS & WARTS

Plantar wart signs and symptoms include:

• A small, fleshy, rough, grainy growth (lesion) on the bottom of your foot, usually the base of the toes and forefoot or the heel
• Hard, thickened skin (callus) over a well-defined “spot” on the skin, where a wart has grown inward
• Black pinpoints, which are commonly called wart seeds but are actually small, clotted blood vessels
• A lesion that interrupts the normal lines and ridges in the skin of your foot
• Pain or tenderness when walking or standing

Plantar warts are caused by an infection with HPV in the outer layer of skin on the soles of your feet. They develop when the virus enters your body through tiny cuts, breaks or other weak spots on the bottoms of your feet.

Each person’s immune system responds differently to HPV. Not everyone who comes in contact with it develops warts.

The virus isn’t easily transmitted by direct contact from one person to another. But it thrives in warm, moist environments. Consequently, you may contract the virus by walking barefoot around swimming pools or locker rooms. If the virus spreads from the first site of infection, more warts may appear.

Most plantar warts aren’t a serious health concern and usually go away without treatment eventually. But it may take a couple years and they will most likely appear again. They are also highly contagoius. That is why is recommended to see a podiatrist as soon as you notice them to get them removed faster.

If your warts are painful or spreading your podiatrist may suggest the following treatments:

• Debridement
• Needling
• Acid
• Silver nitrate
• Cryotherapy
• Electro-caughtery
• Excision

Call us to find out whether your verruca treatment is covered by your private health care provider. There are a few things to consider with your private health fund such as your level of cover, your policy waiting periods, annual limits and fund rules. It is important to know what you are up for prior to your visits to avoid unwanted, expensive surprises.