Test Your Wart IQ

With all the talk and precautions about the Coronavirus, we at Pasco-Hernando Foot & Ankle thought this would be an excellent time to talk about a virus that affects your feet. When the human papillomavirus (HPV) enters the skin on your feet (usually through a cut or abrasion), it causes a viral infection that results in a wart. Most of our Nature Coast patients know they don’t like warts, but that’s about it. Learn more about warts with our true/false statements below.

Children and teenagers are more prone to warts than adults.

True: In fact, some adults seem to be immune to warts. One reason why they may be more prevalent in children and adolescents is poor hygiene and greater likelihood through sports and other activities to be places where the virus is present.

Keeping your feet covered doesn’t affect your chances of getting warts.

False: The virus is often found in warm, moist, unclean places. By wearing shower shoes or flip-flops in places like the gym locker room, communal showers, and the town pool, you severely limit the opportunity for your feet to come in contact with the virus. (You’ll also reduce your risk of bacterial and fungal infections like athlete’s foot.)

Warts may be mistaken for calluses.

True: Warts often look like layers of dead skin, which is what a callus is. A significant difference, however, is that warts may have tiny pinpricks of black in the center. These are blood vessels that feed the wart. Warts may form individually or in clusters.

There are plenty of treatments available for warts in the drug store, and it’s okay to try wart removal on your own before contacting the foot doctor.

False: This is a very bad idea for two reasons. First, what you think is a wart could actually be a malignant melanoma. It’s very important to have our podiatrist, Dr. Lawrence J. Kales, examine your foot and definitively diagnose your wart. Second, many of the over-the-counter products sold for warts can harm healthy skin on your feet because they contain acids and harsh chemicals.

Warts are ugly but harmless and therefore, do not require treatment.

True and False: Most warts are harmless, but they can cause extreme pain if they are on the sole or heel of your foot because these are weight-bearing areas. Warts can also spread to other parts of your body and other people. If you have an unusual growth or eruption on your foot, you should contact our Spring Hill (352 683-5799) or Hudson (727-868-2128) office for an appointment promptly.