CAUSES OF PLANTAR WARTS
Plantar warts are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) especially types 1, 2, 3 and 4.
SYMPTOMS OF PLANTAR WARTS
Symptoms of plantar warts include rough swellings on the soles of their feet. These swellings are usually painless but they may become painful if they are on areas that receive much pressure when walking.
TREATMENT FOR PLANTAR WARTS
Many plantar warts resolve without treatment and so the patient should be advised to give the body time to develop cellular immunity if the warts are not painful or spreading or involving large areas of the soles and thus causing difficulties walking and standing.
For those who receive treatment, plantar wart treatment can be divided into:
1. Medical treatment which involves the use of keratolytics like salicylic acid. This can be in the form of paints like Duopaint or in the form of salicylic acid plasters like Mediplast.
2. Surgical treatment which includes surgical blunt dissection and the use of cryotherapy or freezing with liquid nitrogen. Carbon dioxide and pulsed dye laser ablation are also used to treat plantar warts.
3. Alternative therapies used to treat periungal warts include adhesiotherapy which is the application of duct tape to warts.
