Plantar warts

During the summer season, we swap our boots and shoes for sandals and bare feet.

Thus, plantar warts are more common. These small, hard and flat growths that appear mainly on the pressure points of the foot are most likely to affect children and young adults. Warts are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) which penetrates the skin through a wound such as a scratch or cut. They can be transmitted through contact with infected skin, contaminated items such as towels, sandals, a shower mat or a wet surface as around swimming pools or in public showers. Fortunately, most warts are benign, do not require specific treatment and disappear on their own after a few weeks. However, in case of discomfort, pain on walking or for esthetic reasons, it is possible to attempt to self-treat a wart with products available in pharmacies. Avoid using sharp edged objects to remove a wart. Besides being ineffective, this technique can cause injuries that can bring on infection or scarring. It is also suggested to seek advice if the wart persists or worsens, changes appearance, shows signs of infection, bleeds or if you are diabetic or suffer from circulation disorders. Your healthcare professional can help you choose a suitable product for your situation.