Kinds Of Warts On Feet

A wart is a round, solid, benign growth that occurs in the human body. They are usually caused by the occurrence of a viral infection, and can be treated with a variety of medication, or through non-evasive and surgical procedures. While a wart may manifest in practically any part of the body, there is abundance of different kinds of warts on feet and hands.

Warts are usually caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). While warts are generally harmless and not cancerous, they can make one physically uncomfortable; furthermore, these warts are easily transmitted from one individual to another, and the virus responsible for its growth can potentially make one susceptible to a wide range of cardiovascular diseases, cancer of the genitals or reproductive area, and even throat cancer.

Here are the different kinds of warts on feet, along with a few practical ways to prevent them:

– Plantar warts

Among the different kinds of warts on feet, the plantar wart is perhaps the most common. Also known as Veruca plantaris, this kind of wart is caused by the human papilloma virus, infecting the skin as it enters skin through cuts or lesions. A plantar wart may not be immediately visible and will not exhibit any symptoms upon contact with the skin, but will manifest several weeks after infection, through dark brown or gray spots. Plantar warts appear on the sole of feet, and are flat, as compared to round, bulbous growth of warts in other parts of the body.

This kind of warts on feet may be passed on from one individual to another in warm, damp areas such as locker rooms and swimming pools. Since they occur on the soles of the feet, their inward growth may cause discomfort and pain.

– Periungual warts

These kinds of warts on feet usually form around toenails in clusters, achieving a cauliflower-like appearance over a period of time. These warts cause damage to nails, and treatment would often require the complete extraction of nails. Complications from periungual warts may lead to nail deformity and infection that might cause pain and discomfort.

– Subungual warts

The human papilloma virus is also responsible for the occurrence of subungual warts. These warts are the type that appears underneath the nails. Because of their location, they can be a source of pain, and may even be difficult to treat. However, subungual warts, just like other kinds of warts on feet, should not be ignored, and should be treated as soon as possible.

There is a wide variety of treatment options for a person with different kinds of warts on feet. Salicylic acid, an over-the-counter solution, can be applied to warts and covered with a thin strip of bandage to help get rid of warts. Rubbing garlic over the infected areas might also be an easy and cost-efficient way to remove them. If these home solutions fail, one can opt to visit a doctor, who could do a diagnosis and start treatments such as freezing the wart with liquid nitrogen, applying Cantharidin to stunt the growth, application of laser or surgery.