All the Facts You Need to Know About Warts
Expert Care for Plantar Warts at LYF Podiatry
Plantar warts—also known as verrucae—are small, rough, often painful growths that appear on the soles of the feet. They are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which enters the skin through tiny cuts or abrasions. Due to their location on weight-bearing areas like the heels or balls of the feet, plantar warts can become particularly uncomfortable and difficult to treat.
Why Are Plantar Warts So Stubborn?
The pressure from walking often pushes the wart deeper into the skin, forming a callus over the lesion. This can mask the appearance of the wart and make it more resistant to over-the-counter treatments. Additionally, the virus that causes warts can evade the immune system, allowing it to persist for months—or even years—without proper intervention.
Evidence-Based Treatments at LYF Podiatry
At Love Your Feet Podiatry, we provide a variety of clinically proven treatment options tailored to the severity, duration, and location of the wart. These include:
✔ Chemical Treatments
Topical applications such as:
- Salicylic acid – promotes skin shedding and wart breakdown
- Silver nitrate – cauterizes the wart tissue
- Potassium hydroxide flakes – disrupts viral skin cells
✔ Curettage
A minor surgical procedure performed under local anaesthetic, where the wart is carefully scraped or excised. This method may be used for solitary, well-defined verrucae.
✔ Falkner’s Needling
This technique involves puncturing the wart with a fine needle under local anaesthetic to stimulate a local immune response, encouraging the body to fight off the virus from within.
Note: Cryotherapy (freezing with liquid nitrogen) is no longer considered a first-line treatment for plantar warts. Research and clinical experience suggest it is often ineffective on weight-bearing areas and may lead to prolonged discomfort without reliable results.
Supporting Your Body’s Response: The Role of Zinc
Emerging research supports the use of zinc supplementation in managing warts, particularly for individuals with low zinc levels. Zinc may help modulate the immune system and assist in viral clearance.
Recommended dosage:
- 15–30 mg of elemental zinc per day, ideally taken under the supervision of a healthcare provider.
Reference: Al-Gurairi FT et al. Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2002;13(1):39–43.
When to Seek Professional Help
If your wart is:
- Painful or persistent
- Spreading or increasing in number
- Unresponsive to pharmacy treatments
- Causing discomfort while walking or exercising
…it’s time to seek expert advice. At LYF Podiatry, we’ll conduct a thorough assessment and help you choose the most appropriate, evidence-based solution for your individual case.
Book Your Consultation Today
Don’t let a stubborn wart affect your comfort and confidence. Contact LYF Podiatry to schedule your appointment and start your path to clear, healthy skin.