Treatment For Warts

Warts are viral infections on the skin that commonly present on our feet. Warts are most common in children but can present at any age, especially for people with finer skin that is more easily damaged. Some warts go away on their own without treatment but quite often, without medical treatment, they can increase in size and depth and can multiply and spread. They can also become painful if left untreated. The longer warts are left untreated the more stubborn they can be to remove.

Plantar warts are commonly found on the soles of your feet. They are usually small hard bumps that often have black dots in them. Warts on your feet can also present as hard, raised lumps with rough surfaces anywhere on the body. Commonly warts are misdiagnosed as corns and therefore should be properly diagnosed by a medical professional. Some simple differences between warts and corns include:

Warts are painful to squeeze and corns are painful to apply direct pressure to

Warts often have small black dots in the center of them

A wart can be found anywhere on the foot and corns occur only in areas of pressure

Warts can also lay dormant yet infectious in our bodies and for infection to occur there must be a break in the skin for the virus to be spread. Warts are commonly spread in public areas such as swimming pools, change rooms and public bathrooms. They are commonly spread by scratching them or being in direct contact with other people who have warts. People with poor immune systems are more prone to getting them but injuries to the skin; sweaty feet, constantly getting your hands wet and/or biting your nails can also predispose you to warts.

At Pinkal Foot Care and NP Clinic, our nurses have several different treatment options that they can discuss with you to remove warts, many of which do not cause any discomfort. These treatment options may include natural therapies, cryotherapy or freezing,  and chemical or acid-based treatments. Consultation with a nurse will enable you to decide whether the wart requires treatment and what the most appropriate option is for you.

Treatment For

Corns

If the pressure becomes concentrated in a small area, a ‘hard’ corn may develop. Sometimes the pressure of the corn or callus may produce inflammation which can result in acute pain, swelling and redness.

Sometimes ‘soft’ corns may form between the toes where the skin is moist from sweat or inadequate drying. These appear white and rubbery and are also caused by excessive friction.

Corns and calluses are most often found on the balls of the feet or the tops of toes. They can also be found on heels and even along the sides of toenails.

What causes calluses and corns?

Calluses and corns are generally symptoms of underlying problems and in some cases, early warning signals of more complex foot disorders. Because they are caused by continuous pressure in one particular area, they may indicate abnormalities or deformity in bone structure or in the way a person walks. Often calluses and corns are caused by ill-fitting or inappropriate footwear.

Who gets calluses and corns?

Almost everyone!

In fact, calluses and corns affect more people than any other kind of foot problem.

Some people have a natural tendency to develop calluses because of their skin type. For instance, elderly people have less fatty tissue and elasticity in their feet and because of a lack of padding, calluses may form on the bottom of the foot.

Also, people who work in occupations that require them to spend a lot of time on their feet are prone to developing calluses.

How to treat calluses and corns

The most important thing to remember about treating calluses and corns is never doing it yourself without seeing a professional first. Because calluses are generally symptoms of other problems, it is important to have a nurse examine your feet to work out what could be causing the pressure.

Over-the-counter remedies such as corn paint or plasters generally only treat the symptoms – not the problem. Also, they can easily damage the healthy skin surrounding the corn if not used properly. Commercial preparations should only be used following professional advice.

Warning!

It is important that you never cut corns or calluses yourself. In the warm, moist confines of enclosed shoes, an infection can easily develop and small cuts can quickly become serious wounds.

Seeing your Foot nurse

Your nurse will not only recommend ways to relieve pain and get rid of the corn or callus, but can also help with isolating the cause and preventing the problem from recurring. To treat painful corns, your foot nurse will gently remove some of the hard skin of the callus so that the centre of the corn can be removed.

To allow the callus to heal and prevent future cases, your foot nurse may redistribute pressure on the foot with soft padding and strapping or deflective appliances that fit easily into your shoes. For corns on the toes, small foam wedges are useful for relieving pressure on affected parts. For older patients suffering from calluses on the soles of the feet, extra shock absorption for the ball of the foot can help to compensate for a loss of natural padding.

Your foot nurse may also discuss the type of footwear most likely to cause corns and calluses. In some cases, special shoe inserts (orthoses) may be prescribed to reduce excessive weight-bearing forces on the foot and provide long-term relief.

Preventing corns and calluses and caring for your feet

The best way to prevent the development of calluses and corns is to pay attention to your feet when you feel there is extra pressure on specific areas.

Properly fitting shoes are essential, especially if you spend long periods of time on your feet and it is important that you never wear others’ shoes.

A moisturizer used daily, will help to keep your skin supple. But don’t forget that these problems are caused by pressure.

If you feel you may be developing a callus or corn, or you already have one, the best thing to do is seek professional advice and treatment from your local podiatrist.