Thousand Oaks & Camarillo Wart Removal

Treating Warts for Patients in Newbury Park, Santa Clarita & Surrounding Areas

A plantar wart is a small growth that often occurs on the hands and feet. It is caused by a strain of the HPV virus, which can enter the body through small cuts in the skin. Plantar warts are not usually a cause for concern. They aren’t usually painful unless pressed, and they will go away in time. However, it can take several months for a wart to go away, and some people wish to have them professionally removed.

At Performance Foot and Ankle, we can remove warts that appear on the toe or foot using safe, noninvasive treatments. If you are worried that your wart is more serious than the typical plantar wart, we can examine it and perform the appropriate intervention.

When is a Wart a Cause for Concern?

A wart should appear as a small, discolored bump on the skin. You may see small black spots on top of it, which are blood vessels that have grown into the wart. The wart may be painful when pressed, but it should not bother you too much. In reality, a wart is just an overgrowth of skin cells.

However, your wart may be something more serious if it bleeds, changes color, and resists conservative treatments. If you experience significant pain when touching the wart, this is also unusual. Patients with diabetes or neuropathy may also want to have a wart examined as they are more susceptible to serious infections.

Things to Remember

Do not attempt to cut a wart out of the skin. You need to cut deep into the skin to remove the root of the wart, and this should never be attempted by anyone other than a trained medical professional. Even when you remove a wart, the HPV virus will forever be in your system, so it is likely that you will develop another one in the future. Talk with your care professional for tips on what you can do to prevent warts or make them go away faster when they do appear.

Wart Removal & Treatment

Podiatrists employ various methods to effectively remove and treat warts on the feet. Here's a list of common approaches:

• Topical Medications: Application of salicylic acid to gradually break down and eliminate the wart tissue.
• Cryotherapy: Freezing the wart using liquid nitrogen to destroy the affected tissue.
• Electrosurgery: Using a high-frequency electrical current to cut or burn off the wart.
• Laser Treatment: Targeting the wart with laser energy to break down the tissue and stimulate the immune response.
• Cantharidin: Application of a blistering agent to lift the wart from the skin, facilitating removal.
• Minor Surgery: Excision or removal of the wart under local anesthesia for more stubborn or deep-seated warts.
• Prescription Medications: Use of stronger medications, such as retinoids, in certain cases.
• Intralesional Immunotherapy: Injecting antigens directly into the wart to trigger an immune response.
• Combination Therapies: Podiatrists may combine different treatments for more stubborn or recurrent cases.
• Post-Removal Care: Providing guidance on proper wound care and preventive measures to reduce the risk of recurrence.

It's essential to consult with our Thousand Oaks and Camarillo qualified podiatrist to determine the most appropriate treatment for your specific case, as the choice of method may depend on the type, size, and location of the wart. Our podiatrists can tailor their approach to ensure effective wart removal while promoting optimal foot health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are warts contagious?

Yes, warts are contagious. They can spread through direct contact with an infected wart or through contaminated surfaces.

Can warts spread to other parts of the body?

Yes, warts can spread to other parts of the body through direct contact or by touching contaminated surfaces.

How long does it take for warts to disappear after treatment?

The healing time for warts can vary depending on the treatment method and the individual's response. Some warts may resolve within a few weeks, while others may take longer.

Is it possible to prevent warts?

While it's not always possible to prevent warts, practicing good hygiene, avoiding sharing personal items, and wearing appropriate footwear can help reduce the risk.

When should I see a podiatrist for wart removal?

If you have warts that are causing pain, discomfort, or embarrassment, or if you are concerned about their appearance or the possibility of spreading, it's a good idea to consult with a podiatrist for evaluation and treatment.