How to Avoid Painful Plantar Warts
Plantar warts grow in the plantar fascia, which is the wide band of tissue on the bottom of your foot that forms your arch. They often remain hidden by the thick skin, with the only signs being a small bump and severe pain when weight is put on the affected foot. Since plantar warts can be difficult to identify and treat properly without causing further problems, contact your foot doctor.
Some tips to counteract the microbes that cause plantar warts include the following:
- Keep your feet clean and dry—The microscopic organisms that cause a variety of infections thrive in dirty and moist environments. Air out your shoes between wearing and keep your feet clean and as dry as possible. Breathable socks and shoes will help control moisture.
- Avoid contact with contaminated surfaces— Try not to touch or scratch warts since you can spread them to other areas of your body. Wear sandals or shower shoes in public areas such as showers, gyms, and locker rooms. It will decrease your contact with the microbes that cause warts and other infections.
If you have a hidden, painful bump on the bottom of your foot, see your foot doctor for the proper diagnosis and treatment. The foot experts at Desert Podiatric Medical Specialists, in the Tucson, Oro Valley, and Green Valley areas of Pima County Arizona, have unparalleled experience in treating all aspects of foot and ankle care. Our team of doctors, including Christopher M. Funk, D.P.M., FACFAS, Bradley A. Whitaker, D.P.M., FACFAS, and Peter C. Merrill, D.P.M., AACFAS, is dedicated to serving you with state-of-the-art, cutting edge medical technologies. These include PinPointe FootLaser, custom-fitted orthotics, and Radial Pulse Therapy (RPT) for chronic foot, heel, or ankle pain. If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment, please call (520) 575-0800.
