PLANTAR (VERRUCA PLANTARIS)

What is a ? • Tiny black dots. These often Although plantar may wart is a small growth on the appear on the surface of the wart. eventually clear up on their own, A that develops when the The dots are actually dried blood most patients desire faster relief. The skin is infected by a . Warts can contained in the infected goal of treatment is to completely develop anywhere on the foot, but capillaries (tiny blood vessels). remove the wart. typically they appear on the bottom The foot and ankle surgeon may (plantar side) of the foot. Plantar Plantar warts grow deep into the use topical or oral treatments, warts most commonly occur in skin. Usually this growth occurs therapy, (freezing), or children, adolescents, and the elderly. slowly—the wart starts off small and to remove the wart. There are two types of plantar gets larger over time. Regardless of the treatment warts: approaches undertaken, it is •Asolitary wart is a single wart. What Causes a important that the patient follow It often increases in size and may Plantar Wart? the surgeon’s instructions, including eventually multiply,forming Plantar warts are caused by direct all home care and medication additional “satellite” warts. contact with the human that has been prescribed, as well • Mosaic warts are a cluster of virus (HPV). This is the same as follow-up visits with the several small warts growing virus that causes warts on other surgeon. Warts may return, requiring closely together in one area. areas of the body. Typically,the further treatment. Mosaic warts are more difficult plantar wart virus is acquired in If there is no response to to treat than solitary warts. public places where people go treatment, further diagnostic , such as locker rooms, evaluation may be necessary. In such swimming pools, and karate cases, the surgeon can perform a The signs and symptoms of a plantar classes. It can also be acquired at biopsy to rule out other potential wart may include: home if other family members causes for the growth. • Thickened skin. Often a plantar have the virus. Although there are many folk wart resembles a because remedies for warts, patients should of its tough, thick tissue. Diagnosis and Treatment be aware that these remain unproven • Pain. A plantar wart usually hurts To diagnose a plantar wart, the foot and may be dangerous. Patients during walking and standing, and ankle surgeon will examine the should never try to remove a wart and there is pain when the sides patient’s foot and look for signs and themselves—this can do more harm of the wart are squeezed. symptoms of a wart. than good. L

This information has been prepared by the Consumer Education Committee of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, a professional society of 6,200 foot and ankle surgeons. Members of the College are Doctors of Podiatric Medicine who have received additional training through surgical residency programs. The mission of the College is to promote superior care of foot and ankle surgical patients through education, research and the promotion of the highest professional standards. Copyright © 2007,American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons • www.FootPhysicians.com