Getting Rid of Plantar Warts (For Good!)
Feel like you’re constantly walking on a pebble? Those stubborn, often painful bumps on the bottom of your feet are likely plantar warts. Caused by a common virus (HPV), these warts can be notoriously difficult to treat, especially with over-the-counter remedies.
At Cypress Foot & Ankle Center, we understand the frustration of recurring warts, and we offer effective, professional treatments to get rid of them – for good! This blog explains how.
What Are Plantar Warts?
Plantar warts are a condition caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) entering the skin through tiny cuts or breaks, usually on the soles of your feet. They thrive in warm, moist environments like locker rooms and pool decks, and they often affect children.
- Appearance: They can look like small, fleshy, rough growths, sometimes with tiny black dots (clotted blood vessels). They might resemble a callus.
- Pain: Often tender or painful when walking or standing, especially if located on a weight-bearing area.
- Contagious?: Yes! Plantar warts can spread to other parts of your foot or even to other people.
Why Do They Keep Coming Back? (The DIY Dilemma)
Many over-the-counter treatments use salicylic acid to peel away the wart layer by layer. While this can sometimes work for very small, shallow warts, it often fails due to:
- It’s Slow: Requires consistent daily application for weeks or months.
- It’s Superficial: Doesn’t always reach the deeper viral tissue.
- It Can Damage Healthy Skin: The acid can irritate or burn the surrounding healthy skin if not applied carefully.
- Incomplete Treatment: If the virus isn’t fully eliminated, the wart is likely to return.
Effective Treatment Options
Forget the frustrating cycle of ineffective home remedies. We offer professional treatments designed to target the virus and eliminate the wart completely!
- Prescription Topical Medications: Stronger than over-the-counter options, applied under professional guidance.
- Cryotherapy (Freezing): Applying liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy the wart tissue. This is a common and often effective in-office treatment.
- Laser Therapy: Using targeted laser energy to destroy the wart tissue.
- Excision (Minor Surgical Removal): For persistent or particularly large warts, we can surgically remove the wart tissue under local anesthesia.
- Immune-Boosting Therapies: These bolster your body’s ability to fight off the virus naturally.
What Now?
Simple: stop wasting time and money on plantar wart treatments that don’t work! Instead, stop by and ask about the treatment method that makes the most sense for you.
Whether you’re experiencing pain, concerned about a deformity, or simply seeking preventative care, Cypress Foot & Ankle Center offers a wide range of services to address all your foot and ankle needs. While we focus on nonsurgical treatments, our team also provides advanced surgical procedures when necessary, using the latest technologies to ensure superior outcomes. If you’re in need, call (281) 377-4040 or contact us online!
