|
 |
|
|
Warts are a type of infection caused by viruses in the human papillomavirus
(HPV) family. There are at least 60 types of HPV viruses. Warts can grow on alll
parts of your body. When located on the bottom of the foot they are referred to
as plantar's warts. Some people are more naturally resistant to the HPV viruses
and don't seem to get warts as easily as other people.
Do warts need to be treated?
Generally, yes. Warts are often bothersome. They can bleed and cause pain
when they're bumped or limit walking if under a weight-bearing part of the foot.
Treatment may also decrease the chance that the warts will be spread to other
areas of vour body or to other people.
1. What causes warts?
Warts are caused by viruses. Known specifically as human papilloma viruses, they are
diverse in nature. Some have a predilection to form common warts on the hands and feet.
A plantar wart refers to any wart located on the bottom or plantar surface of the foot.
2. How did I get my wart?
Plantar warts can be picked up by walking barefoot in public places (beach houses, locker
rooms, showers, pool decks, etc. Excessive perspiration can cause the warts to spread.
3. How do warts affect my health?
The effect of wart virus infections is variable. Many warts on the trunk and extremities
are annoying because they can be painful and interfere with everyday activities but they
are not life threatening. Plantar warts can become quite deep within the foot and make
walking or even standing difficult. In rare instances, long standing warts can undergo
malignant transformation and become cancerous.
4. How are warts diagnosed?
Often you will notice the warts yourself. They can present as small, rough, bumps on ihe
skin. On the soles, they may be very flat and look like a corn or a callus. Though the
diagnosis is usually self-evident upon inspection, pathologic analysis is used for
confirmation.
5. How are warts treated?
There a variety of ways that warts can be treated. These include any or all of the following:
a.) Chemical destruction; a chemical that destroys wart tissue and virus can be applied to the wart.
b.) Laser surgery. Several types of lasers are available: the carbon dioxide laser is used to vaporize wart tissue. It is used in conjunction with surgical curettage. -
The Pulsed dye laser is a new type of laser that destroys the blood supply of the wart below the skin. It is non-invasive and anesthesia is not necessary.
c.) Cryosurgery; the use of extreme cold to freeze and damage the wart tissue.
d.) Topical or intralesional chemotherapy; the use of anti-tumor agents to suppress wart growth and proliferation. This group includes immunologic agents (Interferon), antimetabolites (Fluorouracil), and cytotoxic agents (Bleomycin).
e.) Surgical excision; the use of a scalpel to remove the wart.
Any or all of the above modalities may be used, either alone or in combination to
obliterate warts with the least amount of destruction of uninvolved skin.
|
|
|
