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Plantar Warts
WHAT YOU SHOULD
KNOW
A plantar wart is a flat, hard lump on the bottom of your
foot. The warts are most common in people 12 to 16 years of
age, and may last for many years.
Causes
The warts are caused by a virus
called the human papillomavirus (PAP-ih-LOW-muh-VI-russ), or
HPV.
Signs/Symptoms
Plantar warts occur only on the
sole of the foot. They form a lump that consists of a main
circle or oval area surrounded by a build-up of skin layers.
They can cause a great deal of pain when you stand or
walk.
Care
The warts may go away without
treatment. If over-the-counter medicine does not get rid of the
wart, your doctor may need to remove it.
Risks
If the wart is surgically
removed, you could develop an infection. Following your
doctor's instructions carefully will usually prevent this from
happening.
IF YOU'RE HEADING FOR THE
DOCTOR...
What to Expect While You're
There
Professional wart removal usually
involves the following steps.
-
The wart and the area around it will be cleaned. Your
doctor may be able to cut or shave off some of the dead
skin.
-
The doctor will put an acid chemical on the wart. He
or she may use liquid acid called ""paint,'' or may apply a
""plaster'' that contains the acid. The plaster is cut to
the size and shape of the wart and held on with
tape.
-
When your doctor says it is all right to take off the
acid paint or plaster, you should soak your foot in water
and then rub, file, or cut off the dead
skin.
-
To keep pressure off the bottom of your foot, you can
apply a donut-like pad over the wart.
-
The treatment will take about 15 to 20 minutes. You
may need more than one treatment to get rid of the
wart.
After You Leave
-
Follow your doctor's directions
carefully.
-
Keep the area clean and dry between
treatments.
-
DO NOT cut or shave the area being treated unless
instructed to do so.
-
It is important to return for additional treatments
if instructed to do so.
Call Your Doctor If...
-
You experience increasing pain or bleeding that won't
stop after a treatment.
-
You notice increasing redness, swelling, or drainage
from the treated area. These are signs of
infection.
-
Your foot becomes painful, red, or
swollen.
-
You develop a high temperature.
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