Wart Treatment at our Mississauga Foot Clinic
What is a wart?
A wart is a viral infection on the top layer of skin. When this infection appears on the bottom of the foot it is called a Plantar’s (bottom) wart. Warts can be solitary or in multiples (mosaic warts). Most people will develop a wart(s) at some point in their life.
There are many strains of virus, but the one causing warts on your feet are the human papilloma virus (HPV). If you are unsure the skin lesion is a wart or a corn/callus/nevus, please consult our Chiropodist who can assess and diagnose accurately.
Warts are unsightly and can be painful. If left untreated, it could either disappear on its own in about 2 years or it could become worse. A painful wart can sometimes alter your normal posture without you realizing it. This change in your posture could ultimately result in more complications. So please consult a Foot Specialist if pain persists.
Plantar's Wart Causes
Warts can spread from direct or indirect human contact. If someone with a wart touches a surface, the next person to touch it could develop a wart. Similarly, if someone with a wart uses public shower barefoot, the next person to use the same shower can get a wart.
The virus usually enters through tiny cuts or abrasions in the skin. People with weaker immune system are more prone to getting warts. Although the risk of developing a wart varies, anyone could develop one.
How do our Foot Specialists treat warts?
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Chemical treatment – This is the go-to treatment for a wart infection for most Chiropodists. It is a quick, painless application with great success in children and adults. The number of treatments varies from case-to-case. The interval between the treatments is usually 1-2 weeks.
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Prescription anti-viral cream - We also offer prescription anti-viral medication for patients with multiple warts. The medication can be used at home with a once-a-month visit to our foot clinic for the removal of dead skin build-up.
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Needling technique - This is an effective treatment for more resistant warts, especially if they are on multiple locations. It usually just involves the one treatment with a follow-up in 6-8 weeks. The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic. The procedure itself takes just about 5 minutes. Please consult our Chiropodists for more information.
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Keep the wart covered with a band-aid.
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Wear slippers/shoes at public places (showers, pools, gyms).
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If you are sharing your bath tub with someone, make sure to disinfect it.
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Do not share your towel, shoes, or socks with anyone.
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Spray the inside of your shoes with antibacterial/antifungal and let them air out.
Some home tips for warts
