Despite the resilience of your feet, they are susceptible to an array of physical defects, conditions and viruses. And one of the more common issues that people face yet are unaware that they are dealing with it in the first place is the growth of plantar warts. Characterised by their fleshy appearance, these lesions typically form at the base of one's toes and their heels. As they get worse, they can cause you to experience tenderness each time you place your weight on your foot, whether you are standing or walking around. Fortunately, if you see a podiatrist as soon as possible, they can get rid of this problem for you and restore your feet to their natural state. So what should you know about plantar warts?
What causes plantar warts?
Typically caused by different strains of the human papillomavirus, the pathogen makes its way into your body via pre-existing cuts, scrapes and other breaks in the skin on your foot. However, they do not manifest immediately. In fact, it may take up to several months after you have been exposed to the virus for plantar warts to form on your feet. Since you do notice them, you should be very cautious about spreading them to your loved ones, for example, if they share a shower with you, as this condition is highly contagious. Patients who repeatedly suffer from this problem will opt for over-the-counter gels, ointments and lotions that are easy to apply. But if you want to get rid of these warts in the shortest time possible, it is essential to visit a podiatrist as soon as possible. One of the therapies they can offer you is employing liquid nitrogen to freeze the wart, then extracting it via laser removal or surgery.
Can you safeguard your feet against plantar warts?
If you have recently healed from a bout of plantar warts, you could be wondering how best you can prevent the virus from afflicting you again. You can take several measures. For starters, never walk barefoot in shared spaces, such as a communal locker room, shower, lavatories and more. In addition to this, you should be vigilant about keeping your feet dry at all times. The virus flourishes in damp and moist environments, so leaving your feet in sweat-soaked socks or inadequately towel drying them after a shower and so on will increase the threat of you developing plantar warts.
Share27 October 2020
Hi, my name is Steve and I’m a keen runner. I’ve been running for fun for years. I love the buzz I get from a long run and the fact that my hobby helps keeps me fit. Last year, I started to experience problems with my feet and ankles. It started with just a few twinges and soreness but ended up getting so bad that I couldn’t run to my usual schedule any longer. I couldn’t work out what was going wrong, so a friend recommended I see a podiatrist. I was a bit sceptical at first; however, my podiatrist immediately identified some issues with my running gait and shoes that were causing my problems. I started this blog to pass on some of the advice I got for any other runners who are suddenly suffering from unexplained discomfort. Hope it helps keep you on the road!
