It can happen to you just like that: you walk barefoot around the pool or in the gym and before you know it, you’ve come home with an unwanted souvenir. You have a plantar wart.
A plantar wart is a hard, rough, round, skin-colored growth that forms on the skin of your foot. In the medical world, we also call this ‘verruca plantaris’ or ‘verruca vulgaris’. Plantar warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), a highly contagious virus that is easily transmitted in moist, warm environments such as public swimming pools and gyms.
You may not even notice you have a plantar wart until you start to feel some discomfort or pain, especially when walking or standing.
This is because plantar warts often form on the pressure points of the foot. Sometimes a plantar wart has black dots in the middle. These are not dangerous, but indicate small, clotted blood vessels.
As mentioned earlier, warts are caused by HPV. This virus can enter the body through small cuts or scratches in your skin. Not everyone who comes into contact with HPV will develop a plantar wart. The immune system plays an important role here. The virus can also be transmitted through indirect contact, such as using the same towel or shoes of someone who is infected.
If you have a plantar wart, there are several treatment options you can consider. One option is to try an over-the-counter wart remover. These often contain a substance called salicylic acid that helps to gradually remove the wart. If this does not work, you can go to a general practitioner or dermatologist for professional treatments, such as freezing (cryotherapy), electrosurgery, or laser therapy.
Prevention is always better than cure, of course. Taking simple precautions can help you avoid plantar warts. For example, wear waterproof sandals in public damp areas, do not share towels or shoes, and keep your feet clean and dry. Strengthening your immune system by eating healthy, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep can also help keep the virus at bay.
