What are Plantar Warts?

Plantar warts are skin growths that appear on the soles of feet. They occur when the human papilloma virus (HPV) enters the skin through a cut or a break. Although they can be very painful they are non-cancerous and harmless. Contrary to popular opinion they are not highly contagious. They appear most often in teenagers indicating a hormonal mediated origin.

There are many over-the-counter treatments for warts. Most of these contain an acid, which can be extremely dangerous to patients who have diabetes or poor circulation feet. It is best to have plantar warts treated by a lower extremity specialist.

What is the treatment for plantar warts?
Treatment can range from cryotherapy (freezing the plantar wart), burning the wart with electro-desiccation to surgically blunt dissecting the wart from the skin.

What are Corns and Calluses?
Corns and calluses are both thick, hardened areas of skin that occur when the skin tries to protect itself from excessive pressure or friction. Calluses are commonly the result of rubbing or repetitive friction of the skin against bone matter or the ground. They are found most often on the bottom of the foot and under the big toe. Soft corns are normally found in between toes and in other moist areas while hard corns most often occur on the upper part of the toes from friction against shoes. While corns and calluses are not harmful, they can sometimes lead to infection if not watched carefully. 

What is the treatment for Corns and Calluses?
Sometimes simply removing the cause of the friction with more open or wider types of shoes will make corns and calluses disappear. If the problem remains, corns and calluses can often be treated with home remedies. Sharp objects such as razor blades should never be used to remove warts, corns or calluses as they can cause even more serious injury. Using padding or cushioned insoles can also be helpful.  Your podiatrist can debride corns and calluses to make you more comfortable. Chronic painful and recurring corns and calluses can be treated with minimal invasive surgical procedures.