Is That Spot on My Foot a Plantar Wart?
Plantar warts are relatively harmless, but they won’t go away on their own. In fact, the opposite is true: plantar warts are highly contagious. Without proper intervention by a podiatrist like Dr. Eric Kosofsky and Dr. Robert Rutstein, your wart will likely multiply and spread.
What Is a Plantar Wart?
A plantar wart is a small bump on the skin of your foot, usually at a weight-bearing area such as the heel or the ball of the foot. Plantar warts are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). The virus enters your body through a nick, cut, or another vulnerable area.
How Can I Spot a Plantar Wart?
Anyone can get a plantar wart. Men, women, and children are all at risk, especially those who spend considerable amounts of time in locker rooms, on pool decks, or anywhere else where groups of people congregate barefoot. While it takes a podiatrist to accurately diagnose any foot-related illness, the signs of a new wart are pretty easy to spot. Keep an eye out for
discomfort when standing or walking
a small bump on your foot
a new callus growing on your foot that may be covering a wart that is growing inward
What to Do About a Plantar Wart
If you suspect that you have developed a plantar wart, you might be tempted to try treating it at home on your own. Don’t do it! A simple internet search will offer up dozens of at-home remedies. These are ineffective at best and harmful at worse. Instead, see a board-certified podiatrist like Eric Kosofsky, DPM and Robert Rutstein, DPM. Your podiatrist will examine your feet to confirm your self-diagnosis, and, if she or he concurs that your lesion is a plantar wart, will have a range of options for treatment, many of them non-invasive.
If you are worried about changes to the skin on your foot, or if you have any other concerns about the health and wellness of your feet, ankles, or lower legs, it’s time for a visit with your podiatrist. Schedule an appointment in Hartford Podiatry Group’s modern, comfortable offices in Hartford and Rocky Hill today. Call our friendly staff at 860-523-8026 or click here to get started.