How to treat plantar warts?

Apply salicylic acid, rub with a pumice stone, or crush red onion and apply as a poultice; perform minor surgery to remove warts.

Plantar warts are skin infections caused by the HPV virus. Approximately 10% of teenagers have warts. Using public pool showers or walking around locker rooms barefoot after gym workouts, martial arts, yoga, etc., increases the risk of developing warts.

10% of young people have warts. Photo: Internet.

Plantar warts are caused by a virus that enters the body through cracks in the skin. This virus thrives in warm, moist environments, such as locker rooms or inside shoes where feet sweat and moisture cannot escape. Plantar warts often spread to other areas of the foot, increasing in size and causing pain.

Warts can grow anywhere on the feet. They can be difficult to distinguish from calluses. Warts usually appear as tiny black dots on the surface. These are the ends of blood capillaries. Calluses have no blood vessels, are usually waxy yellow in color, and are commonly found in pressure areas of the soles of the feet.

Plantar warts can be very painful or mildly painful. Standing and walking push the warts flat. As the warts grow, they develop roots that penetrate deep into the skin, making the affected person feel like there is a pebble in their shoe.

Plantar warts may disappear on their own or grow larger. Treatment should be sought if they are causing pain and making walking difficult.

A common mistake is attempting to remove warts yourself, thinking you've stepped on a thorn, or cutting them with unsterile instruments. This can cause secondary infections at the wounds and worsen the condition, potentially leading to chronic ulcers on the feet.

Treatment methods

A doctor can surgically remove the wart and apply a chemical treatment regimen. Treatment may involve applying salicylic acid topically, daily. Good foot hygiene, including regularly using a pumice stone to scrub the wart, is also recommended.

If warts are resistant to treatment, your doctor may recommend a procedure to remove them. After administering local anesthesia, the doctor may use liquid nitrogen to freeze the warts and dissolve them. To avoid scarring or damaging other tissues, this method only removes the top part of the wart.

Treatment must be repeated regularly until all warts are removed. Alternatively, doctors may perform minor surgery to remove the warts.

In Vietnam, some folk remedies include soaking feet in warm salt water for about 15-20 minutes every evening, gently rubbing the wart with a pumice stone to reduce its thickness. Then, crush a fresh shallot and apply it to the wart, bandaging it until morning. Repeat this for about 8-10 days, and the wart will peel off on its own, and the wound will heal well. Many people have found this method quite effective.

Preventing plantar warts

To reduce your risk of developing warts, wear sandals when using public changing rooms or showers. Wear breathable shoes and change your socks frequently to keep your feet dry. Note that warts are caused by a viral infection through the skin, so they can spread to others and easily recur in other areas of the foot.

Wash your feet regularly with antibacterial soap. Do not share shoes with someone who has warts.

According to VNE