What is a Plantar Wart?
A plantar wart (verrucae) is a growth of the skin that develops after the skin is infected by a virus (human papilloma virus or HPV for short). Warts can develop anywhere on the foot, but typically they appear on the bottom of the foot or tips of toes. Plantar verrucae occur in any age group. Plantar warts treatment is easy when caught early. We treat plantar warts her in our Orange County office.
Causes of Verrucae
Direct contact with the human papilloma virus (HPV). This is a similar virus
that causes warts on other areas of the body (genital).
Contact can happen when walking around without shoes in public areas.
Symptoms of Plantar Warts
Thickened skin, resembles a callous, itchy.
Pain when pinching the verrucae. There is usually severe pain when the lesion (wart) is pinched from both sides.
Tiny black dots are sometimes seen within the wart. The dots are actually dried blood contained in the capillaries.
Diagnosis of a Verrucae
A physical evaluation by a trained physician will help diagnose a plantar wart or verrucae.
Removal and evaluation by a surgical pathologist under the microscope is the most definitive method.
Plantar Wart Treatment in Orange County
Topical Plantar Wart Treatment
I usually advise patients to obtain Salicylic Acid for plantar wart removal. The trick to topical treatment of verrucae is to apply the medication as directed for several weeks (3-6). Stop if there is skin irritation or come in for an evaluation here in Orange County. There are also compound prescription medications like Cantharidin that work very well.
Laser therapy of Plantar Verrucae
Candida Injection (Yeast) for Plantar Wart treatment
Yeast work as an allergen to stimulate the natural immune response. We perform this, as well as other treatments of plantar warts.
Cryotherapy (freezing) the Wart
Typically requires multiple treatments on spaced 2-3 weeks apart. Over the counter freezing is not cold enough and will usually not work. I use Liquid Nitrogen in the Irvine clinic to freeze verrucae of the foot or ankle.
Over the counter freezing is not cold enough and will usually not work. I use Liquid Nitrogen in the Irvine clinic to freeze verrucae of the foot or ankle.
I use Liquid Nitrogen in the Irvine – Orange County clinic to freeze verrucae of the foot or ankle.
Surgery to remove the plantar wart
If the wart is small enough we can excise it in the clinic under local anesthesia.
6 weeks after treatment 
Before and after treatment 
Plantar Wart 
Plantar Wart – Verrucae 
Verrucae 
Wart 
Plantar Wart Bottom of Foot Disclaimer
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