The Pain of Plantar Warts

I’m sure most people have heard of plantar warts (also known as verruca plantaris). In fact it’s estimated that more than 10 percent of the American population is affected by them.

Typically these warts are found on the soles of the feet and because of the location they can be extremely painful. The good news however, is that they are noncancerous and with some research, some professional health-care advice, you can find effective treatments to get rid of them.

Typical Appearance of a Plantar Wart

• Usually plantar warts are gray or brown in color and have a tiny black dot in the center.
• Plantar warts typically are hard and flat, coupled with a rough surface.
• Because of the similarities in the feel and texture, often plantar warts are mistaken for either corns or calluses, but plantar warts will typically have a small spot or spots in the center of the hardened skin.

Are Plantar Warts Dangerous, and Are They Painful?

These are common questions that arise when someone discovers a plantar wart. While it’s true that plantar warts don’t cause any real harm to the body, they can be extremely painful, and because they are contagious, they can spread quite easily.

Plantar warts can cause significant pain when pressure is applied, and because a plantar wart is typically found on the feet, it’s not hard to imagine the pain associated with the pressure applied simply by walking.

Plantar Wart Treatment

Considering that plantar warts can spread very quickly, it’s important to seek treatment earlier rather than later. Be aware also that treatment for plantar warts can vary significantly, and can relate to your patience, level of persistence, and your budget.

Professional plantar warts treatments may consist of applying topical acids to burn them off, using liquid nitrogen to freeze them, by cutting them out, or even by using laser surgery. It’s also advisable to contact your health care provider before deciding which treatment is best for your circumstance, and keep in mind that a plantar wart treatment (particularly a home remedy removal “cure”), can often extend into weeks or months to take effect.

Plantar Wart Treatment may include:

• Over-the-counter medications or a simple surgical procedure.
• The treatment of plantar warts can consist of getting rid of them either by chemical solutions or physical methods.
• For example one type of plantar wart treatment can be through the application of a mild acid that can be topically applied by a suitable health care provider.
• Another plantar warts treatment that may be used is freezing of the warts (also known as cryotherapy), although sometimes when the wart is very established this can sometimes be ineffective because the cold may not penetrate deeply enough to destroy the wart.
• Many practitioners will consider debridement to be their choice of plantar warts treatment.

While it can be true that many warts can simply disappear on their own, plantar warts are known for their difficulty in removal, and because of their location on the feet, they are also known for the pain associated with the constant pressure of walking.

So if you are suffering from plantar warts it is always good advice to seek out early treatment, and give yourself every opportunity of a successful plantar wart removal outcome.