Summer has recently passed us, but with the weird weather happening right now in New Jersey, we are still experiencing those “summer like days.”  Unfortunately, this type of weather is just right for picking up certain foot conditions. We have already talked about fungal infections and warts are also very common in the summer.  Warts are hard bumps on the surface of the skin. They are usually grayish yellow or brown and may have tiny black dots. Warts can grow anywhere on the foot but they usually grow on the sole (bottom) of the foot. The sole of the foot is called the plantar surface and podiatrists call warts that grow here plantar warts.

Warts are caused by a virus. The virus spreads from person to person by direct contact or by walking on something that a wart has touched. Touching affected people or surfaces does not always give you a wart, but having small cuts or scrapes on your feet makes it easier for the virus to get into your body and for a wart to grow. For some people warts are harmless and go away on their own. For other people plantar warts may cause pain while walking. It may feel like you are walking on a small stone. Also, some people just don’t like the way warts look on their feet.  If a foot wart is causing you problems, it is time to make an appointment at Affiliated Foot & Ankle Center, LLP. You can see a podiatrist at any of our locations in Howell, Edison, and Monroe, New Jersey.

Even if a wart is not painful or does not cause walking issues, it is still a good idea to see a podiatrist for proper diagnosis.  For instance, some people may confuse a wart with a callous or corn. Also, if you find yourself constantly getting multiple warts on your feet as well as on other parts of the body, your podiatrist may need to involve your primary doctor. This can be a sign of a bigger problem such as a weakened immune system.  Without treatment, a wart will go away, but proper treatment can speed up the process.  Below are common types of treatments that podiatrists use:

• Over the counter medication
• Freezing the wart with liquid nitrogen
• Burning the wart with an electrical current
• Laser treatments

If your podiatrist recommends over the counter medication remember to follow directions closely.  These medications are very strong and can damage healthy skin. Remember to never try to freeze or burn off a wart on your own!

Most people will probably have a wart at some point in their lives. If a foot wart is causing you any problems do not hesitate to see your podiatrist. Though the virus that causes warts is easily spread, below are a few tips that may protect your feet this summer.

• Wear flip flops when walking in public showers, locker rooms, or by the poolside.
• Check your feet daily and avoid going to the pool or water park if you have any open lesion or scrapes.
• Always clean your feet thoroughly after you have been shoeless in a public area.
• If you get a wart on your feet, always clean your hands after touching the wart and before touching other parts of the body or anyone else.

If a foot wart is causing you problems, it is time to make an appointment at Affiliated Foot & Ankle Center, LLP.  You can see a podiatrist at any of our locations in Howell, Edison, and Monroe, New Jersey.

By:  Dr. Varun (Ben) Gujral, DPM