Plantar warts are small rough growths on the feet and are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). These warts generally occur on the weight bearing areas such as the base of the toes, the balls of the foot and heels. Often these warts grow inward under calloused skin and are painful. Mosaic warts involve a cluster of warts form. When a person has one plantar wart, others may follow as the virus spreads.
Warts can occur at any age, but often they are most likely to appear in children and teenagers. They can develop on people who are immunocompromised or who have had plantar warts in the past. Plantar warts like moist settings for transmission and can be picked up barefoot at swimming pools and schools.
- Some ideas to avoid getting a wart includes:
- Avoid touching a wart, including your own.
- Don’t pick or scratch a wart.
- Keep feet clean and dry.
- Avoid getting sweaty feet.
- Avoid foot soaking in a Nail Bar .
- Only visit a Nail Bar where all instruments are sterilised and bagged.
- Wear footwear near swimming pools or in gyms.
Small warts are not considered to be a major problem if you have no underlying health problems, but if the wart causes pain or discomfort and affects you walking seek podiatry care. Often, particularly in children, warts will disappear without treatment. If the warts are spreading, do see a professional.
Our podiatry team uses a range of treatments and will work with you to determine the best treatment option.
Cryotherapy is commonly known as freezing the wart. This technique involves debridement (removal) of the calloused skin over the wart followed by liquid nitrogen which will freeze the wart. Some warts will go away after one treatment, others may require several treatments. The freezing process will cause some discomfort, but this is temporary. Pain on the day shortly after treatment can be relieved with paracetamol. Your podiatrist will review you in approximately 2 weeks after treatment.
Chemical Treatments. There are two chemical treatment options we use at Melbourne Foot Clinic. The first is Silver Nitrate, the second is Salicylic Acid.
Both of these treatments begin with debridement which is the removal of the top layer of the wart using a sterile scalpel blade. The theory behind these treatments is that the debridement, along with the chemical application will trigger the body’s immune response to fight the wart virus. Your podiatrist will determine the best treatment option in consultation with you.
Matthew Dilnot regularly receives referrals for the surgical removal of warts that have been resistant to conservative treatment or are causing pain. Matt completes this minor surgery in our surgical room under local anaesthetic.
Podiatrists are also registered to treat warts on hands.
Local Melbourne suburbs we service
With a priority on keeping people healthy, Melbourne Foot Clinic provides a wide range of professional services for people across Melbourne’s East. Our patients travel from all over Victoria to see us at our foot clinic in Mont Albert, with most coming from the following locations:
Mont Albert Podiatrist
Mont Albert Podiatrist Near Box Hill
We use cutting edge technology and offer excellent services to many residents of Box Hill.
Mont Albert Podiatrist Near Surrey Hills
Our podiatrists are experts in providing biomechanics, orthotics, and foot pain for patients from Surrey Hills.
Mont Albert Podiatrist Near Camberwell
Our podiatrists are specialists in treating clients’ problems across Camberwell and Melbourne’s East.
Mont Albert Podiatrist Near Balwyn
Reputable podiatrists servicing the residents of Balwyn with outstanding results for years.
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