Verrucae can occur on virtually any area of the foot and they can range in size from a pinprick right up to cover a large area of the foot. Sometimes, they appear as a single area and sometimes multiple verrucae can form over a large area.
Early diagnosis is important so treatment can be quick and efficient. Verrucae can sometimes look like corns (and vice versa), but a simple diagnosis can help distinguish them; If you feel pain when the affected area is pinched and don’t when it is pressed, then there is a good chance it might be verrucae.
Plantar warts are caused by an infection with HPV in the outer layer of skin on the soles of your feet. They develop when the virus enters your body through tiny cuts, breaks or other weak spots on the bottoms of your feet.
HPV is very common, and more than 100 kinds of the virus exist. But only a few of them cause warts on the feet. Other types of HPV are more likely to cause warts on other areas of your skin or mucous membranes.
Transmission of the virus
Each person’s immune system responds differently to HPV. Not everyone who comes in contact with it develops wartsand even people in the same family react to the virus differently.
The HPV strains that cause plantar warts aren’t highly contagious. So, the virus isn’t easily transmitted by direct contact from one person to another, but it thrives in warm, moist environments. Consequently, you may contract the virus by walking barefoot around swimming pools or locker rooms. If the virus spreads from the first site of infection, more warts may appear.
Prevention
To reduce your risk of plantar warts, you should:
- Avoid direct contact with warts. This includes your warts.
- Wash your hands carefully after touching a wart.
- Keep your feet clean and dry
- Change your socks daily.
- Avoid walking barefoot around swimming pools and locker rooms.
- Do not pick at or scratch warts.
Treatment
There is a variety of treatments available in regards to wart / veruccae. Our specialist here at Novomed can provide wart removal services with the highest level of professionalism and expertise.
