Plantar warts don’t always require treatment, but how do you know if they do? Learn more about these warts, so you can get the care you need.
When you have one or more small bumps or growths on your feet, these might be plantar warts. What is a plantar wart? These are growths that mainly affect the bottoms or heels of your feet. Plantar warts usually cause no major health problems, but you might want to seek treatment for them in certain cases. For those questions that you need to ask your pharmacist, we are always here to help!
Symptoms of Plantar Warts
Plantar warts appear as tiny bumps or growths that have a rough texture. You will usually find them on your heels or on the bottoms of your feet. Since you put pressure on these areas while walking or standing, plantar warts can sometimes grow under the skin. When this happens, you might notice them under calluses on your skin. Plantar warts often have tiny black specks on them, which are blood vessels that have formed tiny clots. These warts might feel sore or tender when you apply pressure to them.
Causes of Plantar Warts
Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes plantar warts. You can become infected with this virus when it enters your skin through small wounds or cuts on your feet, especially when you walk in damp, warm public areas while barefoot, such as around pools. Keep in mind that you might not get warts from HPV since it affects people in different ways. You are more at risk of getting plantar warts if you have had these growths before or if you have a compromised immune system. Children also have an increased risk of getting plantar warts.
Treatments for Plantar Warts
You might not need to see your doctor about plantar warts, but you should seek medical care for them if these warts change in color or texture or if they become painful. You should also see your doctor if plantar warts start bleeding or if you develop several of them. If you have diabetes or nerve problems in your feet or if you have a compromised immune system, you should seek medical care for plantar warts.
If you want to try treating plantar warts on your own, keep in mind that they can take one or two years to go away completely.
Treatments that you can do include:
- Using over-the-counter medications or wart removal products that contain salicylic acid.
- Trying nonprescription products that freeze warts. Your doctor can also prescribe stronger medication if these do not work.
- Using nonprescription or prescription medications for plantar warts should require you to prepare questions to ask your pharmacist about them, such as how to properly use them and whether they might interact with other types of medications you are taking.
If you need medicine for plantar warts or other health issues, please contact our community pharmacy in Benton, AR at 501-315-7700. Not only do we offer expert pharmacy advice, we also have a boutique and coffee shop so that your trip to the pharmacy is fun!