Plantar Warts- How To Recognize And Remove

Plantar Warts- How To Recognize And Remove

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A plantar wart manifests on the plantar surface or sole of your foot and is caused by an easily transmittable virus. You can just as easily transmit it to other parts of your body or to someone else.

Just as in an Athlete's foot fungus, the virus can be contracted by walking barefoot in warm, moist environments. These include gyms, locker rooms, saunas, showers, pool areas, and public bathrooms.

Cracks or abrasions on your feet are an open invitation for the virus to go deep inside the dermal layers and take up residence. Scratching or shaving over the affected area can also promote a spread of the infection.

*What are the Symptoms?

The wart can range in size from a tiny dot to the size of a nickel or larger and appear singly or in clusters. They can be quite easily confused with a callus or corn because the warts are covered with thick skin issue.

A plantar wart, though, has a distinct black or brown pinpoint in the centre, which is the site of a blood vessel. This will also hurt if you squeeze it and bleed if you cut it; a corn will not.

These warts occur most frequently on the balls and heels of the feet.

Plantar warts can be very painful and become pushed deep inside the skin due to weight and shoe pressure.

A mosaic wart is caused by the same virus, is irregular in shape and bleeds easily when irritated, and can eventually form a large cluster of a hundred or more tiny warts. This patch of warts can cover the complete bottom of the foot and has a rougher, thicker surface than a plantar wart.

* What are the Treatments for Plantar Warts?

Unfortunately, a cure for these troublesome, painful growths can prove elusive. This is because they have a tendency to go away spontaneously and unfortunately also tend to recur spontaneously in the same areas.

Some foot specialists recommend the cost effective treatment of regularly applying salicylic acid, (found in the foot care section of your local drugstore) File the wart down slightly with an emery board daily, and apply a drop of acid.

Repeat this process for several weeks or months until the wart has disappeared. Care should be taken to avoid getting this acid on the surrounding skin as it can burn and dissolve healthy tissue as well as the wart(s).

Tea Tree oil can also be applied "neat" (undiluted) as can garlic oil. These both have anti viral properties. A slice of raw garlic can be taped to the affected area with a fresh piece being applied on a daily basis. Vitamin A oil is also believed to remove warts.

No one treatment works for everyone. Warts can be stubborn creatures whatever method of treatment you try persistence is required.

What can be used for Prevention?

Since the virus that causes plantar warts is highly contagious, do avoid going barefoot in the gym or around swimming pools. Indeed try to avoid any place that is public, warm, and moist.

Wash and dry your feet daily and put powder in your shoes to absorb moisture. Also, if you are treating or inspecting someones infected feet, wear disposable gloves and wash your hands thoroughly.

Plantar Warts are complex and there is much to learn before we can successfully treat and prevent their occurrence


Copyright (c) 2010 Eamon Greville

About the Author:
Plantar Warts can be painful and limiting. However there are lots of measures that can help. For more assistance check out the advice and resources available at: http://www.sorefeetsolved.com



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


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