Plantar warts often look like circles of callused skin when they first develop. You may consider them slightly annoying dry spots if you notice them at all. You can apply the best lotion you have, and it won’t stop plantar warts from growing inwards, possibly creating more and more pain as they increase in size and number.
By the time patients walk into Advanced Foot & Ankle Specialists of Arizona, they often have at least one noticeable bump on the sole of their foot. They’re often in pain and want to learn how to remove plantar wart bumps as quickly as possible.
More importantly, they want to make sure they don’t have to worry about a plantar wart again. That’s where our expertise and advanced technology become essential. If you need plantar wart removal, now is the time to act. You don’t have to wait until the condition spreads and causes significant pain.
What are Plantar Warts?
Plantar warts are foot growths caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). The virus gets into the skin through small breaks in the skin or perhaps a minor cut. Since the virus spreads quickly and is contagious, it often starts with one plantar wart and spreads into clusters. We call those clusters mosaics.
A plantar wart may look like a small bump that feels hard or slightly grainy. They typically appear on areas of the foot that push into the ground when you walk, such as the heel, forefoot, and base of the toes. Plantar warts grow inward and may hurt when you bear weight on the foot while walking.
What are the Symptoms of Plantar Warts?
The first sign of plantar warts is often a small bump or circular patch of flat, callused skin. These skin blemishes are known as lesions. They often have a rough, fleshy appearance and feel. You may notice small black spots on the skin. Those spots are dried blood.
If you’re waiting for your lesions to get larger or protrude from your foot, it’s not likely to happen. Plantar warts remain flat on the surface of the foot because all growth is inward. Mild discomfort and varying levels of pain may develop when you stand up or walk on the foot.
Treatment Options for Plantar Warts
Don’t try to cut out a plantar wart at home. Skin wounds can accelerate the growth and spread of the virus, and you may injure yourself. There are various options for plantar wart removal, and an experienced medical professional will help you determine the most suitable remedy for your body.
At Advanced Foot & Ankle Specialists of Arizona, we highly recommend Swift Microwave Therapy. A specialized probe is used to deliver a low dosage of microwave energy to the infected skin. The treatment stimulates your immune system, allowing your body to fight off HPV and eliminate the plantar wart. Not only does this advanced treatment for plantar warts eliminate any current lesions on the sole of your foot, but it also prevents plantar warts from coming back!
A full course of Swift treatment typically requires 3-4 sessions, each spaced about 4 weeks apart. Each session lasts only 5-10 minutes. During each session, the skin over a wart will be lightly debrided (no broken skin or bleeding will occur) and a dose of microwave energy will be applied directly to each wart.
To learn more about this safe and effective method of removing plantar warts, you can call us at our office in Chandler at (480) 963-9000, or contact us online to schedule an appointment. Do not let the pain from plantar warts continue and keep you from enjoying life.