It could just happen to you: you’re running barefoot around the pool or at the gym and before you know it, you’ve come home with an unwanted souvenir. You have a foot wart.
A foot wart is a hard, rough, round, skin-colored growth that forms on the skin of your foot. In the medical world, we also call these “verruca plantaris” or “verruca vulgaris. Foot warts are caused by 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 foot wart until you begin to feel some discomfort or pain, especially when walking or standing.
This is because foot warts often develop at the pressure points of the foot. Sometimes a foot 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 scrapes in your skin. Not everyone who comes in contact with HPV will develop a foot wart. The immune system plays an important role in this. 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 foot 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 doesn’t work, you can see a doctor or dermatologist for professional treatments, such as freezing (cryotherapy), electrosurgery or laser therapy.
Of course, prevention is always better than cure. Taking simple precautions can help you avoid foot warts. For example, wear waterproof sandals in public humid areas, do not share towels or shoes, and keep your feet clean and dry. Strengthening your immune system by eating healthy food, exercising regularly and getting enough sleep can also help keep the virus at bay.
Surely, foot warts are unpleasant and can affect your daily life, but with proper treatment and preventive measures, you don’t have to suffer. Remember, if you are ever in doubt about a growth on your skin, it is always best to seek medical advice.
Yes, you can get warts by walking barefoot in public, wet areas such as gyms, swimming pools or showers. Wearing waterproof sandals can help prevent you from contracting the virus.
Yes, HPV is the virus that causes foot warts. However, there are more than 100 different types of HPV and not all cause warts.
Yes, foot warts are highly contagious. They can be transmitted from person to person both through direct contact and indirectly, such as by sharing shoes or towels.
It varies from person to person. Some warts disappear on their own within a year or two, while others require professional treatment to remove them.
Yes, it is possible for warts to come back after treatment, especially if the underlying virus has not been completely eliminated. It is important to continue taking preventive measures even after a wart has disappeared.
