Verruca Plantaris commonly referred to as plantar warts, are growths that develop on the bottom of the feet due to a contagious virus called Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Warts can be flesh colored or dark as well as rough or smooth and can grow individually or in groups known as “mosaic warts”. Most people will have warts at some time during their life. However, they are more common in school children and teenagers than in adults and occur in equal numbers between males and females.
Plantar warts are very contagious. The skin cells in warts release thousands of viruses, which mean that close skin-to-skin contact can spread the viral infection. It is also possible for the viral infection to be transmitted indirectly from an object, such as a towel, or by contact with a contaminated surface, such as the surface surrounding a swimming pool. It can take weeks, or even months, for a wart or verruca to appear after you have caught the infection. The time between infection and the onset of symptoms is called the incubation period.
There are many treatment options for plantar warts that include using a series of three cryoprobe treatments on the skin lesion, C02 laser treatment, a drying agent called formadon, and excision of the wart.
If you think you have warts, schedule an appointment with your local podiatrist at American Foot and Leg Specialists, PC.