Plantar warts are small, rough growths that form on the bottom of your feet. They’re a type of palmoplantar wart caused by certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) — usually strain 1, but can also be types 2, 3, 4, 27, and 57 — which enter your skin through tiny cuts or breaks.
While plantar warts aren’t typically dangerous, they can be painful, spread easily, and make walking uncomfortable. The good news? Our team at Manhattan Podiatry Associates in Midtown and Downtown Manhattan, New York City, offers several wart treatments, including liquid nitrogen, laser surgery, and medications.
Whether you’re prone to warts or simply want to prevent them, there are several practical strategies you can implement to lower your risk.
Many fungi and viruses, including HPV, thrive in warm, damp environments, so your first step is to make your feet inhospitable to the virus that causes warts.
Keep your feet clean and dry, especially after exercise. Change your socks daily, rotate shoes to let them air out, and dry between your toes after bathing.
Feet always wet? Carry an extra pair of socks in your briefcase, backpack, or gym bag. Swap them out as needed throughout the day. If this happens regularly, talk to us about plantar hyperhidrosis, a condition that causes your feet to sweat excessively.
Locker rooms, pools, and communal showers are hotspots for HPV. Always wear flip-flops or water shoes when you’re in a shared space. This simple habit creates a barrier between your skin and contaminated surfaces.
Wearing shower shoes can also help you avoid fungal infections like athlete’s foot.
If you have a blister, cut, or other lesion on your foot, keep it bandaged. Covering up a cut can not only prevent viruses from entering, but it can also help prevent bacterial and fungal infections.
A strong immune system makes it harder for HPV to take hold. To boost your immune system:
If you have a condition that weakens your immune system, be extra cautious about prevention.
Towels, socks, and shoes can transfer HPV from person to person. Stick to your own belongings, and teach your children the importance of not sharing footwear or foot care tools.
If you already have a plantar wart — or someone in your family does — you can prevent the spread by:
If you already have a wart, avoid touching it. Picking or scratching can spread the virus to other areas of your foot or even to other people. Cover your warts with a bandage if needed, and wash your hands after treating or touching the area.
To prevent contaminating others in your home, you can stop the spread of plantar warts by washing contaminated laundry in hot water. Hot water for laundering clothes, linens, socks, and sheets should be at least 140° Fahrenheit.
If you notice a painful or persistent growth on your foot, schedule an appointment. Warts can be stubborn, and over-the-counter wart treatments may not be enough to treat them efficiently.
With two convenient locations in New York City, we’ve got you covered. Contact Manhattan Podiatry Associates today, so our team can confirm that your bump is indeed a wart. Then we can walk through your treatment options together.
Call our location of your choice, or click here to schedule an appointment with our team today.
