Plantar warts are common warts that are found on the feet, and while they aren’t a medical threat, they can be unsightly and annoying. Regardless of size, plantar warts can be itchy or cause pain, and while they will usually go away on their own, this process can take years. Instead of waiting, here are some common plantar wart treatments that can help to speed up the process:
At-Home Wart
Treatments
Many people first turn to at-home wart treatment kits in order to remove plantar warts. These kits will usually come with a small canister of liquid nitrogen that is used to freeze a wart in an attempt to kill it. Additionally, some kits also contain a small amount of salicylic acid solution that is used to slowly eat away at the wart.
While these er kits can be beneficial for smaller plantar warts, they aren’t always very good at handling larger warts. In addition, these treatments can be painful and lead to scarring if used improperly, and they may not get to the root of the wart, meaning it could reappear.
Surgery
For warts that are persistent, large, or that do not respond to at-home treatments, surgery should then be considered. Some surgical techniques can be used to treat plantar warts, including laser surgery. Essentially, plantar wart removal surgery not only treats the visible signs of a wart, but it also removes the root of the wart, ensuring it will not reappear.
Modern surgical techniques and equipment allow for a relatively pain-free experience with minimal scarring. In most cases, the skin will grow back normally once a plantar wart has been surgically removed, leaving no evidence of the surgery of the wart.
Immunotherapy
Another treatment option that should be considered is immunotherapy. Because warts are the result of the human papillomavirus, or HPV, bolstering the body’s immune system can help to fight off warts naturally. While eating right, exercising, getting good sleep, and living a healthy lifestyle are important, some people who have compromised immune systems may need an extra boost. For these individuals, certain medications may be effective in strengthening the immune system and reducing warts or destroying them altogether.
Learn More About Your Treatment Options for Plantar Warts
If you’re in the DFW metroplex and dealing with plantar warts, Casteel Foot & Ankle Center is available to help. The specialists at Casteel Foot & Ankle Center offer a wide range of solutions for all types of foot and ankle problems, including plantar warts, bunions, ankle sprains, and hammertoe. They can also provide care for foot pain, toe pain, and heel pain.
To schedule your appointment with a podiatrist at Casteel Foot & Ankle Center, call 972-412-4449.