Dr. Vincent Coda, D.P.M.
Warts
What are Warts?
A wart is an infection caused by a virus, which can invade your skin through small cuts or breaks. Over time, the wart develops into a hard, rough growth on the surface of the skin. A wart is most commonly seen on the bottom of the foot (plantar wart), but can also appear on the top. Children, teens, and people with allergies or weakened immune systems are more vulnerable to the wart virus.
Symptoms
Warts may appear spongy, with tiny red, brown, or black spots. They can grow up to an inch or more across, occurring alone (solitary) or with smaller warts clustered nearby (mosaic). Warts are sometimes mistaken for corns or calluses. They can persist for years and recur in the same spot. If left untreated, warts can spread to other parts of the foot or even to the hands or other areas of the body.
Evaluation
Dr. Coda will examine your wart carefully to determine that it is not a corn or a callus. A wart will usually feel painful when Dr. Coda squeezes it from side to side. To examine the wart further, the hard skin layer around it may need to be trimmed. A wart will have certain sports that bleed when trimmed; a callus will not.
Treating Warts
There are many ways to treat warts, depending on their size and location. Medication or surgical removal, or both, may be effective treatments, however the following is the method most often used by Dr. Coda. Even after warts are removed, they may recur.
Curettage
The wart is removed with a small, spoon-shaped instrument (curette). To lessen pain, a local anesthetic is often used with this procedure.
After Treatment Care Tips
After Dr. Coda treats your warts, protect your feet from future infection by keeping them clean and dry. If you're thinking of using over-the-counter medications for warts, ask your podiatrist first. Some of these treatments can damage skin - and may be dangerous if you have diabetes or poor circulation.
NOTE: Avoid going barefoot in public places like showers, gyms, and locker rooms. the wart virus may spread easily in moist settings like those just listed. Wear thongs or sandals on your feet in these cases.
For more information about warts, or to discuss treatment options, click here for contact options.