What should I do if my child has a wart?
Here’s what you should not do: Don’t panic! Warts on feet are fairly common in kids and are not necessarily harmful or painful. Don’t try to cut them. This could lead to serious injury or infection. Don’t forget that warts are contagious. Take some precautions to keep them from spreading.
Warts are caused by a virus. If your child has a wart, you should instruct them and the whole family in some basic hygiene habits. Each person should have their own towel and washcloth and not share them with others. You should all wear flip-flops or water shoes in showers and pool areas, and it is a good idea to spray the tub or shower after the infected person uses it with a bleach solution, and then rinse. Shoes and socks, including dress-up shoes, shouldn’t be shared if a child is struggling with a wart.
Warts often go away after a while, so immediate treatment isn’t strictly necessary. There are over-the-counter treatments available that may speed up resolution of the wart. If they seem to be spreading or painful, it’s a good idea to seek care sooner rather than later. If you want more information or would like us to remove the wart, call Rocky Mountain Foot & Ankle Center at (303) 423-2520.
Are plantar warts contagious?
The answer is yes—and no. Plantar warts are caused by a virus, so yes, they can spread from one person to another. However, every strain of the human papillomavirus (HPV) is different, and everyone’s immune system reacts differently to the virus, too. This strain is not highly contagious like, say, a flu virus. The main way you would contract it is to walk in a place where someone with a plantar wart walked, rather than just being near them.
There are several ways to protect yourself, including trying to avoid cracks, cuts, or openings in your skin that would let the HPV in. You should wear flip flops or shower shoes in public pools, gym showers, and other places where lots of people might walk barefoot. Even things like eating healthy and getting enough rest can help improve your immune system to fight off HPV. Make sure you wash and dry your feet every day, too, to keep infection away.
If you suspect you have a plantar wart and it is making walking uncomfortable, call Rocky Mountain Foot & Ankle Center at (303) 423-2520 for an appointment and let us treat it for you safely.