Warts are viral infections of the skin cells. Specifically there are caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV).

There are over 100 different types of HPV, with about a dozen that cause viral infections of the foot.There are a combination of factors that cause a patient to develop plantar’s wart. First is genetics. A certain percentage of the population is genetically predisposed to being susceptible to wart. Just like some people are more prone to acne (a bacterial skin infection). some people are more prone to getting warts. This is why in certain wart prone environments (like gym mats, communal swimming pools and showers), some people develop warts while others do not.

The second cause of developing warts is weakness in the skin on the bottom of the foot. The virus needs a point of entry in order to start an infection. Dry cracked skin or overly sweaty, moisture laden skin can cause weakness, leading to viral infections caused by the HPV virus. Another common point of entry is walking barefoot and stepping on a sharp rock or stick. Even if the injury doesn’t draw blood, that little poke can cause a microscopic skin injury, leading to plantar wart formation.

Treatments for warts are extremely varied, ranging from medication you can take orally, to applying duct tape. In general, most wart treatments cause the creation of a localized immune response, so the body can fight the infection. In my office, we use Cantharone to get rid of warts. The success rate with this treatment is 99%. The treatment involves a painless application of the medicine to the affected area. Patients usually need 2-3 applications of the medicine to obtain complete healing.