Treating Your Warts

Warts are small growths that can form anywhere on the skin but are especially common on the hands and feet. Although they are generally harmless and usually clear up on their own eventually, warts can spread so it is best to seek treatment to prevent them from affecting other areas of the body. Dr. Kyle Sundblad and Dr. Sadegh Arab, the experienced podiatrists at Advanced Foot, Ankle, & Wound Care in Sterling Heights, MI, diagnose and treat warts. They can recommend the right treatment to clear up your warts as quickly as possible.

Types of Warts

Warts develop as a result of an infection caused by one of the many strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). The virus prompts the body to produce an excess amount of keratin in the top layer of the skin. This growth of keratin results in the formation of a wart.

There are many different types of warts. Some of the most common types include:

Plantar Warts: This type is often referred to as foot warts since they tend to form on the soles of the feet. Plantar warts are typically flat, hard, and rough with a cluster of small black dots in the center of each wart. These black dots are clotted blood vessels. Plantar warts can cause pain and discomfort when standing or walking since they form on the bottom of the feet. Walking around barefoot in warm, damp areas, such as public pools or locker rooms, increases the risk of developing plantar warts.

Flat Warts: This type can develop in different areas of the body. Flat warts are usually quite small in comparison to other types of warts. They also tend to be much smoother than other warts. Additionally, flat warts form in groups or clusters rather than as a single isolated wart.

Common Warts: This type usually develops on the hands and fingers, but can also appear on the feet as well. Common warts are hard, rough, and raised rather than flat.

Wart Treatment and Prevention

Most warts will eventually clear up on their own, but it is best to treat them for faster results. You should also seek treatment if the warts have spread or are causing pain and discomfort. Over-the-counter wart treatment remedies are available but do not deliver results as quickly as professional treatment. At our office in Sterling Heights, MI, wart treatments include oral and topical medications, acid treatments, laser therapy, and cryotherapy, which involves freezing warts to remove them. Our skilled podiatrists can recommend the right treatment for your warts.

There are several steps you can take to prevent warts from returning in the future. Tips for preventing warts include:

• Avoid walking barefoot at public pools, bathrooms, and locker rooms
• Refrain from sharing personal items with others who have warts
• Wear breathable shoes that fit properly and are not too tight
• Keep the feet clean and dry
• Avoid biting fingernails

We offer several methods for treating and removing warts quickly. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Sundblad or Dr. Arab for the treatment of your warts by calling Advanced Foot, Ankle, & Wound Care in Sterling Heights, MI, at (586) 731-7873, or (586) 979-0560.