How to Avoid Plantar Warts this Summer

Summer is here, and our feet are on display once again. Having healthy and happy feet is important for those who want to enjoy the season to the fullest. If you are swimming or participating in water sports or other outdoor activities, your feet need a little extra care. In today’s post, Dr. Hubert Lee at CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists in Bellevue, WA, shares information regarding one of the most common issues we see during the summer months – plantar warts!

Plantar warts are caused when the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infects the outer layer of the skin on the soles of your feet. They typically look like a scaly and rough growth with tiny dark spots. Warts can cause pain when irritated by physical activity. In addition, excessive pressure on the skin on the feet can cause calluses to develop over the plantar wart, which is often mistaken for corns and calluses. 

HPV infects the skin through a small crack or cut on the bottom of your feet. The virus can live on warm and damp surfaces like in public changing rooms, bathtubs, shower stalls, or swimming pools.

You are at a higher risk of developing warts if you have extremely sweaty feet, walk barefoot, or have cracks in your feet. Some plantar warts naturally disappear, but persistent or painful warts need treatment to prevent the spread of warts to other areas of your skin or others.

Treatment of Plantar Warts

At our office, we utilize Swift, a cutting-edge technology cleared by the FDA and is highly effective in removing plantar warts. It uses microwave energy in low doses through a specialized probe to target and effectively treat the underlying HPV virus by accelerating a natural immune response. In doing so, it treats the root cause, not the symptoms.

Swift treatment includes 3 - 4 treatments, spaced a month apart, in alignment with the body’s natural immune cycle. Each session lasts only 5-10 minutes, and there is limited debridement, no skin breakage, and no bandages required.

Prevention of Plantar Warts

• Always wear clean and dry shoes and socks.
• Change socks daily and clean the insides of your shoes regularly.
• Avoid sharing shoes, towels, or socks.
• Fully dry your feet after bathing or showering.
• Avoid walking barefoot - wear appropriate footwear when going in public. showers, changing rooms, or swimming pools.
• Clean your home bathtub or shower regularly.

If you think you might have a plantar wart, contact Dr. Hubert Lee at CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists in Bellevue, WA, today to make an appointment. You can schedule an appointment online or by calling us at 425-455-0936.