Avoid Spreading Plantar Warts to Others with These Tips from a South Park Podiatrist

Many people are familiar with plantar warts. For example, many people know the warts are uncomfortable, and the warts are also unsightly. However, did you also know that plantar warts are contagious? It’s true. Make sure you know all about plantar warts before putting yourself or others at risk.

What Are Plantar Warts?

Plantar warts are caused by the human papillomavirus. Like all viruses, this means it’s contagious. The virus can be spread in a warm, moist environment, and people with cuts or weakened immune systems are at risk. However, everybody reacts differently to the virus. The immune system in some people may eliminate the virus before a wart even forms. Other people, particularly the young and elderly, may be more likely to develop the warts.

Know the Risks

You can protect yourself from plantar warts by avoiding going barefoot in public places. Also, use flipflops when you are in public showers or bathing areas. You should avoid touching and picking at a plantar wart. This can increase your risk for the virus to spread to other areas of your foot or hand. However, you generally don’t need to worry about plantar warts spreading to other areas of your body. The virus will only spread to other areas with similar skin. This means plantar warts do not spread to the genital area or other uncomfortable areas. Though some warts will resolve on their own, we typically will treat plantar warts more aggressively because they are frequently painful and harder to treat when they are larger and deeper.   It is a good idea to get plantar warts taken care of more quickly to avoid pain, prevent and them from spreading on your foot  and to avoid potential future surgical excision.

Treatment

Some plantar wartscan be treated with medicines found at the store however, plantar warts tend to be thicker and are less responsive to home remedies and over-the-counter treatments. Surgical removal can typically be avoid if the wart is identified and treated quickly. The most common wart  treatments at our offices are painless, without and disability or restrictions on your activity level.  Call and schedule an appointment with our South Park podiatrist for plantar wart removal and plantar wart treatment. If you find yourself developing plantar warts, give our office a call sometime soon. We can get you seen quickly to look at those plantar warts right away!

Summary

• Plantar warts are caused by a virus.
• Plantar warts can spread in warm and moist areas.
• Wear shoes, crocs, or flip flops to avoid infection.
• The immune system can stop some warts from forming.
• Plantar wart removal and plantar wart treatment is usually painless and can be done by our South Park podiatrist or other local podiatrist.