Understanding Plantar Warts
Plantar warts are small growths on the skin caused by a virus. They typically develop on the soles of the feet, appearing as rough bumps or calluses. There are two types of plantar warts: solitary warts and mosaic warts. Solitary warts are single growths that may increase in size or multiply, while mosaic warts are clusters of small warts that grow closely together, making them more challenging to treat.
Causes & Prevention
Plantar warts are caused by exposure to a virus, often found in public areas like locker rooms and swimming pools. To prevent plantar warts, it’s essential to avoid going barefoot in public areas and practice good foot hygiene, including washing and drying your feet daily, changing socks and shoes regularly, and avoiding touching warts to prevent spreading the virus.
Symptoms of Plantar Warts
Symptoms of plantar warts may include thickened skin resembling a callus, pain or discomfort while walking or standing, and tiny black dots on the surface of the wart. Plantar warts can grow deep into the skin, gradually increasing in size over time.
Diagnosis and Treatment
To diagnose plantar warts, our podiatrists will conduct a thorough examination of your foot and look for signs and symptoms of the condition. Treatment aims to completely remove the wart, and our practice offers advanced technology to achieve permanent removal, preventing recurrence.
Treatment options may include:
- Topical salicylic acid solution to dry up the wart
- Freezing the wart using liquid nitrogen
- Pulse dye laser wart removal to kill blood vessels supplying the wart
- Swift Microwave Laser Therapy to stimulate the body’s immune response and destroy the underlying virus
Microwave Laser Therapy
Swift Microwave therapy is a revolutionary treatment option offered only at New Horizons Foot and Ankle Associates for pesky, persistent, or painful warts. This advanced technology works by stimulating the body’s immune response to destroy the underlying virus, providing fast and effective relief for plantar warts. The treatment has the highest global success rate out of all of the various treatments available for plantar warts. Our practice, and more specifically Dr. Patel, has vast experience in utilizing combination therapy to eliminate plantar warts. At New Horizons Foot and Ankle Associates we have a 100% success rate to date for eliminating plantar warts using advanced laser technology, with zero recurrences reported (164 patients successfully treated with laser combination therapy since 2022)! Trust our team to help you get rid of plantar warts – call New Horizons Foot and Ankle today to schedule your appointment.
Learn more about Swift Microwave Laser treatments here.
Additionally, every single one of our facilities is equipped with cutting-edge laser technology, specifically designed to permanently remove plantar warts. We stand uniquely among practices within the entire state, being the sole provider of this innovative laser treatment. Dr. Patel, acclaimed as the region’s only podiatrist with such a prestigious profile, is renowned, highly recommended, and decorated with international recognition. As a distinguished member and surgical associate of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, he is the go-to expert that dermatologists, fellow podiatrists, and various specialists consult when they encounter warts that are particularly stubborn and unresponsive to other treatments.
Plantar Wart Removal Recovery
Complete wart removal may require multiple treatments and take a few weeks to a few months to achieve. Your podiatrist will discuss recovery procedures with you, including home care and follow-up visits. It’s crucial to follow your podiatrist’s instructions to ensure successful treatment and prevent recurrence of warts.
Frequently Asked Questions About Plantar Warts
What causes plantar warts?
Plantar warts are typically a result of the human papillomavirus, also known as HPV. Since they are highly contagious, many people will suffer from warts after walking barefoot in places like hotels, tanning salons, public restrooms, locker rooms or at the swimming pool. A plantar wart is a virus, therefore it acts like one. It can adapt, assimilate, replicate and more. That is why you may notice that what started as one small “lesion” can turn into a bigger one, or many lesions.
What do they look like?
These warts are typically round in shape, hard, can be a variety of colors and are grainy. They can range from being small in size to rather large. Oftentimes, if you look closely enough, you will see little “black or red dots” within the wart.
Where do they pop up?
These warts are typically going to be found on a person’s heels, between the toes, on the side of the big toe, or the balls of their feet, though some people will also get them on their hands.
Who gets warts?
Virtually anyone can get a wart. However, warts are most common in people between the ages of 6 and 40.
What do warts do to the foot?
Below the surface of the skin, the virus will infect the skin cells, leading to the creation of a wart at the surface. This is why when one removes or pulls a wart out, it typically leaves a large hole in the skin. They can be rather deep depending on how severe the skin infection is. At New Horizons Foot and Ankle Associates in Louisville, KY we offer several treatment options to rid you of plantar warts. Our wart specialist is nationally-ranked to have one of the highest success rates in successfully treating patients with both simple warts to complex warts. In fact, we are a highly referred to practice by other doctors including dermatologists and other podiatrists.
How do you get rid of plantar warts?
There are several treatments that patients can try. At home, many people will try to cut them away but this can be dangerous and lead to the infection spreading. Also, trying to cut warts away without help can cause a lot of bleeding, which can also be dangerous. We advise against this method.
Anyone looking to treat a wart at home should try over-the-counter medication instead. These may include placing a medicated bandage on top of the wart. Sometimes, this can cause the wart to go away, though it is not effective for everyone.
One of the other methods for removing a wart using a freezing technique called cryotherapy or cryosurgery. Although there are some over-the-counter solutions for this, they do not reach the clinical efficacy ratings as the higher-end technology utilized by our office. We also offer other treatment options such as acid treatments, laser ablation, surgical excision, and state-of-the-art microwave therapy.
When is the right time to seek treatment?
Immediately. It is critical that anyone who is suffering from warts get help right away. These are highly infectious and will spread. The best way to prevent this is to visit our office immediately so that we can eliminate the wart before it leads to severe discomfort or multiplication. We offer the widest range of treatment options in Kentucky, with an outstanding success rate of over 99.1% (as of 6/1/24).
Why Choose New Horizons Foot and Ankle for Plantar Warts Treatment?
Why Choose New Horizons Foot and Ankle for Plantar Warts Treatment?
When it comes to treating plantar warts, New Horizons Foot and Ankle stands out as the premier choice for patients seeking effective and compassionate care. Led by Dr. Patel, a nationally and internationally recognized expert in podiatry, our practice is dedicated to delivering exceptional results in the management of plantar warts.
Expertise You Can Trust
Dr. Patel’s extensive experience and proven track record in treating plantar warts have earned him accolades, including being named the Top Podiatrist in 2024 in the United States. His recognition on the prestigious Nasdaq Billboard in New York City and celebration at the renowned Gaylord Opryland Gala in Nashville, Tennessee, underscore his commitment to excellence in podiatric care. Patients can trust that they are receiving treatment from a leader in the field who understands the complexities of viral infections like plantar warts.
Comprehensive Treatment Options
At New Horizons Foot and Ankle, we utilize a full arsenal of available treatments tailored to effectively combat painful, pesky, and persistent plantar warts. Our approach is not one-size-fits-all; instead, we assess each patient’s unique situation to determine the most appropriate course of action. This may include topical therapies, cryotherapy, laser treatments, or other advanced modalities designed to eliminate warts while minimizing discomfort.
Scientific Principles at Work
Our doctors apply rigorous scientific principles in managing viral infections such as plantar warts. By understanding how these viruses replicate and spread, we can maximize treatment efficacy while preventing recurrence. Our commitment to evidence-based practices ensures that our patients receive cutting-edge care that is both effective and safe.
Patient-Centered Care
At New Horizons Foot and Ankle, patient satisfaction is paramount. We pride ourselves on creating a welcoming environment where patients feel heard and valued. Our team takes the time to educate patients about their condition and treatment options, empowering them to make informed decisions about their health.
In summary, if you are struggling with plantar warts and seeking an effective solution backed by expertise and compassion, look no further than New Horizons Foot and Ankle.
