Award-Winning O’Fallon, IL Podiatrist Explains Warts

Finding a surprising growth on your foot may be disconcerting, uncomfortable or some combination of the two, but one thing you should know about them — these small spots aren’t unusual. Award-winning O’Fallon, IL podiatrist, Dr. Anderson, sees plenty of plantar warts at Podiatry 1^st. That means we know exactly what they are, how they can be diagnosed and how we can work together to get rid of them.  

O’Fallon, IL Podiatrist Answers: What Are Plantar Warts?

Warts are small skin growths that occur as the result of a virus that enters your body through tiny – often microscopic – tears in your skin. These warts can occur anywhere on your feet, including the top of your feet, on or between your toes and on the bottom of your feet, where they’re what podiatrists call “plantar warts.” Warts may occur one at a time or in clusters, called “mosaic warts” and they may disappear spontaneously or persist until you seek treatment.

How Do I Know If I Have a Plantar Wart?

Unlike the raised warts you may occasionally get on your hands or upper body, plantar warts are often flat, like the blisters and calluses they’re frequently mistaken for. Warts may contain small black pinpoints. Those spots are sometimes mistaken for seeds, but they’re actually tiny harmless scabs. Depending on the wart’s size and location, it may cause some discomfort, especially when you’re walking or wearing tight shoes.

How to Treat Plantar Warts

The best way to treat a wart is to remove it. Luckily, there are numerous non-invasive treatments that you can try at home or at your podiatry office that may either ease your discomfort or help banish the wart entirely:

• Over-the-Counter Acid Treatments
• Topical Drying Agents
• Antiviral Creams
• Oral Medication
• Laser Treatments
• Freezing Treatments

Be sure to consult with our O’Fallon podiatrist if you have any questions about plantar warts. To prevent contracting warts or experiencing a recurrence, keep your feet dry and sweat-free as often as possible and always keep your feet covered in public common areas such as pools or locker rooms. 

Are plantar warts threatening to ruin your day-to-day routine? Call our podiatry office today at 618.277.9533 and our podiatry team near O’Fallon, IL will help you get back on your feet – wart free – as soon as possible!

Award-winning O’Fallon, IL Podiatrist for Plantar Wart Treatment – Serving Belleville, Fairview Heights, Columbia, O’Fallon, Shiloh, Trenton, and Freeburg IL