Plantar warts
DEFINITION
Plantar Warts (verrucae plantaris) are contagious epithelial
tumours caused by numerous types of human papilloma virus. Plantar
means pertaining to the sole of the foot. As the name suggests
plantar warts are found on the sole of the foot.
tumours caused by numerous types of human papilloma virus. Plantar
means pertaining to the sole of the foot. As the name suggests
plantar warts are found on the sole of the foot.
DESCRIPTION
Plantar Warts are greyish in colour and, because of pressure
are flattened on the surface in comparison to common warts. They
are caused by a virus which sometimes takes up to a year before any
obvious signs appear. Remember that the virus is very infectious,
especially in moist conditions.
are flattened on the surface in comparison to common warts. They
are caused by a virus which sometimes takes up to a year before any
obvious signs appear. Remember that the virus is very infectious,
especially in moist conditions.
Some of the symptoms include the Wart being surrounded by raised
skin which sometimes might be slightly swollen. These warts may be
found as a single wart while at other times as a number together.
These groups of warts are usually smaller, found close together and
are called mosaic warts.
skin which sometimes might be slightly swollen. These warts may be
found as a single wart while at other times as a number together.
These groups of warts are usually smaller, found close together and
are called mosaic warts.
Plantar Warts are more common in older children and adolescents,
but also occur in adults. Unlike ordinary warts, Plantar Warts may
be very extremely tender and because they are found mainly on the
load bearing area under the feet, make walking painful. Pressure on
the wart causes it to be pushed inwards where the sensitive nerves
in the skin are irritated. It is easy to tell the difference
between a corn, a callous and a Plantar Wart. The ridges of skin on
the wart are interrupted while on a corn and a callous they are
not. Another difference is seen when the skin of the wart is pared,
say with a sharp instrument such as a scalpel, pinpoint bleeding
might appear. Small black spots appear on the surface.
but also occur in adults. Unlike ordinary warts, Plantar Warts may
be very extremely tender and because they are found mainly on the
load bearing area under the feet, make walking painful. Pressure on
the wart causes it to be pushed inwards where the sensitive nerves
in the skin are irritated. It is easy to tell the difference
between a corn, a callous and a Plantar Wart. The ridges of skin on
the wart are interrupted while on a corn and a callous they are
not. Another difference is seen when the skin of the wart is pared,
say with a sharp instrument such as a scalpel, pinpoint bleeding
might appear. Small black spots appear on the surface.
Although more than 50% of Plantar Warts may suddenly disappear
within 2 years, others, if untreated, have the tendency to spread
and cause considerable discomfort. Several treatments can be
prescribed however most cause some type of tissue damage.
within 2 years, others, if untreated, have the tendency to spread
and cause considerable discomfort. Several treatments can be
prescribed however most cause some type of tissue damage.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
As Plantar Warts are caused by a virus there are no specific
products which will cure the problem. Your Doctor will suggest the
correct treatment.
products which will cure the problem. Your Doctor will suggest the
correct treatment.
NOTES
Do not cut away the skin on the wart as it serves no real
purpose and may only result in making the Plantar Wart area even
more painful. Soaking the affected foot in warm water and then
gently rubbing with a pumice stone may remove some of the dead skin
on the surface. When disturbing the skin be careful to not infect
the Plantar Wart.
purpose and may only result in making the Plantar Wart area even
more painful. Soaking the affected foot in warm water and then
gently rubbing with a pumice stone may remove some of the dead skin
on the surface. When disturbing the skin be careful to not infect
the Plantar Wart.
PHARMACIST’S ADVICE
Ask your Pharmacist for advice.
- Ask your Pharmacist for a wart paint containing podophyllin or
salicylic acid. - If the wart is not too large use a piece of sticking plaster
with a hole cut in it the size of the wart. Apply the wart paint as
directed. Take care that no paint (in particular any podophyllin
product) touches the surrounding skin. - Put another piece of plaster over the wart. Change 2 to 3 times
a week or as directed by your Pharmacist. This will remove the dead
skin on top of the wart. - If the diet is inadequate consider some supplements. Take
Vitamin A for the skin and garlic for all round good health.
Calcium has been suggested for warts as well.
REFERENCE SOURCES
This topic was compiled from information supplied by Dr Kay
Stewart B. Pharm (Hons), PhD, MPS, MACPP who is on the faculty of
the Victorian College of Pharmacy, Monash University, Victoria,
Australia.
Stewart B. Pharm (Hons), PhD, MPS, MACPP who is on the faculty of
the Victorian College of Pharmacy, Monash University, Victoria,
Australia.