Plantar warts, or verrucas, are a type of foot wart disease that is contagious. Since the feet are subjected to pressure and friction from shoes daily, it can worsen the condition and make treatment more challenging. Many patients tend to underestimate the condition in the early stages, which can complicate treatment later on. Here is a brief introduction to the symptoms and care methods for plantar warts to help you remove them.
The characteristics of plantar warts:
Characteristics of Skin Lesions:
Plantar warts start as small, shiny lumps about the size of a pinhead and gradually grow larger, reaching the size of a soybean or even larger. Due to the pressure they endure, they develop into a grayish-yellow or brownish callus that is rough, round, and distinct. They can be consciously felt as having noticeable tenderness(sources from therapeutique-dermatologique.org).
Location:
They occur on the heel, metatarsal bones, or in the compressed spaces between metatarsal bones. Sometimes, they can appear on the basis of a callus, or both can coexist.
Tiny Black Dots:
When the superficial layer of the keratin is cut, there is a loose keratin core beneath it with scattered small black dots, which result from the slight bleeding of the blood vessels in the papillary layer coagulating underneath.
Mosaic Warts:
Sometimes several warts cluster together or fuse to form a plaque of callus. If the superficial keratin layer is removed, multiple keratin cores can be seen. This is called mosaic warts. Mosaic warts can be painless, have a chronic course, and may naturally regress.
What to do if you have plantar warts:
Minimize Irritation:
Many people have an irresistible urge to scratch or constantly irritate the warts, such as scratching, burning, or rubbing, in the hope of removing the warts. However, they don’t realize that this not only does not alleviate the condition but may also stimulate the warts to grow larger and more numerous. To avoid worsening the condition, it’s essential to control these impulses and avoid excessive irritation of the warts.
Prevent Spread:
In daily life, individuals with plantar warts should maintain good personal hygiene habits, regularly disinfect personal items, and avoid sharing personal items with others, including slippers, towels, washbasins, etc. Also, avoid public bathrooms and swimming pools.
Healthy Lifestyle:
The occurrence of plantar warts is related to a weakened immune system. It’s essential for patients to pay attention to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. During the outbreak, patients should limit the consumption of spicy and irritating foods, eat fresh vegetables and fruits, drink plenty of water, and maintain regular bowel movements(quotes from therapeutique-dermatologique.org).
If you have plantar warts, it’s important to seek timely medical treatment. Common treatment methods include medication, cryotherapy, laser therapy, etc. Usually, they yield noticeable results. It’s important to note that regardless of the treatment method chosen, it should be complemented with routine preventive care.
