Plantar warts are caused by a viral infection of the skin, and their medical name is verruca vulgaris. Unlike common warts found in other areas of the body, the plantar wart gets its name from the area it is found – the plantar (or sole) surface of the foot.
The wart virus is not highly contagious but moist, sweaty feet are more prone to the infection. Plantar warts can look very much like corns or calluses and need to be diagnosed by a podiatrist.
There are many different ways of treating plantar warts, including freezing with liquid nitrogen, laser surgery and chemical cautery using various acids. Podiatrists at Foot Life generally use a type of acid to remove the wart – this method does not require a local anaesthetic and is especially suitable for children.
Plantar Warts
Plantar warts are caused by a viral infection of the skin, and their medical name is verruca vulgaris. Unlike common warts found in other areas of the body, the plantar wart gets its name from the area it is found – the plantar (or sole) surface of the foot.
The wart virus is not highly contagious but moist, sweaty feet are more prone to the infection. Plantar warts can look very much like corns or calluses and need to be diagnosed by a podiatrist.
There are many different ways of treating plantar warts, including freezing with liquid nitrogen, laser surgery and chemical cautery using various acids. Podiatrists at Foot Life generally use a type of acid to remove the wart – this method does not require a local anaesthetic and is especially suitable for children.