| Plantar
Warts |
| A wart
is a viral infection, which can enter through a small cut
or break in the skin. A wart is commonly seen on the bottom
of the foot (plantar wart), but it can also appear anywhere
on the foot or toes. Children, teens, and people with weakened
immune systems are more vulnerable to the wart virus. A
viral infection can spread to other locations on the foot
and other parts of the body as well as to other family members!!
|
|
 |
SYMPTOMS
Warts
may appear spongy, with tiny red, brown, or black spots.
They can grow up to an inch or more across, and can occur
alone (solitary) or with smaller warts clustered nearby
(mosaic). It is also possible that the lesions mimic other
growths, e.g., calluses
or corns or more serious
lesions, including carcinomas, melanomas, and Kaposi's sarcoma.
They can persist for years, and reoccur in the same spot.
If left untreated, warts can spread to other parts of the
foot, to the hand, or other areas of the body. A wart will
usually feel painful with side to side pressure. |
TREATMENT
There
are many ways to treat warts, depending an their size and
location. There is medication, available to doctors, simple
excision of the lesion, and laser surgery, for more resistant
growths. It is important to remember that warts have a high
recurrence rate and may reoccur even after they have been
removed. There are also
over the counter medications
that are available that contain chemicals
and may resolve the problem. Caution should always be observed
in using these medications and you should follow the instructions
closely. The most common problem in having the patient use
over the counter medication, is over treatment. This can
cause more damage and make the lesion or lesions more resistant
to any form of treatment. If any adverse reaction should
occur, consult your podiatrist.
|
| TREATMENT OPTIONS
Medication:
Warts thrive
in a moist, dark environment. Medication is used to dissolve
the core of the wart or to inhibit their growth. With
acid medication, the wart is broken down by applying an
acidic solution. Blister-forming solutions may also be
used. The treatment may need to be repeated over several
weeks. Another form of treatment involves drying agents,
similar to formaldehyde, which dry the skin and decreases
the size of some large lesions as well as removing smaller
warts.
Curettage:
The wart is removed with a small, spoon-shaped
instrument (curette). A local anesthetic is often used
with this procedure to make it more comfortable.
Laser:
The wart is vaporized, using focused light
energy produced by a laser. A local anesthetic is often
used with this procedure to make it more comfortable.
This procedure is usually done as an outpatient procedure
in a surgicenter.
Radiosurgery:
The wart is destroyed by burning with an electric
needle which also cauterizes the wound. This procedure
is done in an office setting under local anesthesia. Most
patients are able to continue their activities including
work, the same day!!
|
CAUTION!!!
Do not use over the counter medications
for warts, without asking your physician first. Some of
these treatments can damage the skin, and may be dangerous
if you have diabetes or poor circulation. Protect your
feet from future infection by avoiding direct contact
with warts, keeping the feet clean and dry and avoid walking
barefoot. |
The
podiatrist will make a determination as to which procedure
or combination of procedures are needed to resolve the
problem with the least amount of discomfort.
You can contact Dr. A.J. Galluzzo in Rockford,
IL at Tel:
(815) 633-3050
or in Chicago, IL at Tel:
(312) 944-2929
|
|
