Warts

Warts aren’t just unsightly. They're also uncomfortable if they’re located on the weight-bearing areas of your feet. If you’ve tried various over-the-counter treatments to eradicate your warts without any luck, it’s time to seek professional help. At Tri-State Top Foot Specialist in White Plains and Nyack, New York, Hasan Masood, DPT, regularly diagnoses and treats warts using safe, effective means. To request your wart treatment consultation today, call the office or book using the online scheduling tool.

What are warts?

Warts are small, fleshy growths that occur on the bottom of the feet and toes and are caused by a strain of the human papillomavirus (HPV). If you have cuts or breaks in the skin on your feet, the virus can infiltrate your bloodstream and begin to spread. 

You’re particularly susceptible to warts if you regularly walk around barefoot in warm, moist places such as locker rooms or public swimming pools. You might also develop warts if you share socks, shoes, or a towel with someone who has them. This is because they’re spread by direct contact.

Your body can typically fight off warts itself. However, some warts require medical intervention. And if left untreated, they can easily spread to other parts of your body.
 

What are the symptoms of warts?

The most obvious symptom of a wart is a round and hardened bump that appears on a weight-bearing area of your foot, such as the heel or ball. Other telltale signs of warts include:

• Pain when walking or standing
• Tenderness when walking or standing
• Hard, thickened skin
  

Most warts also have a black spot in the center, called the seed. This is actually a group of small clotted blood vessels that feed the wart.

Who is at risk of getting warts?

Anyone can get a wart, but certain factors increase your risk, including: 

• Being a child
• Being a teenager
• Weakened immune system
• History of plantar warts
  
  

How are warts diagnosed?

To diagnose a wart, Dr. Masood examines the lesion, trims the lesion with a scalpel, and sends a small sample to a laboratory for testing. He also asks about your symptoms and reviews your medical history.

How are warts treated?

Most plantar warts resolve on their own and require no treatment. However, if your wart doesn’t respond to rest and over-the-counter measures, your doctor might recommend using salicylic acid or cryotherapy to remove it. 

More invasive surgical methods might be necessary if your wart returns after these treatments. Dr. Masood might recommend laser treatment, immunotherapy, or minor surgery, depending on your symptoms. 

To learn more about your treatment options for warts, make an appointment today by calling the office or book using the online scheduling tool.