Plantar Warts â?? Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Plantar warts are the warts caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). Plantar warts are benign growths that occur on the sole, heel, or ball of the foot.Small lesions are typically “cauliflower-esque” in appearance. Though “plantar wart” refers specifically to HPV infection on the sole of the foot, infection by the virus is possible anywhere on the body and common especially on the palm of the hand.

Warts are small, benign (harmless) growths caused by a viral infection. They occur on the skin or the mucous membrane. The mucous membrane is tissue that lines the nose, throat, digestive tract, and other body openings. The viruses that cause warts are members of the human papilloma virus (HPV) family. Warts can be transmitted from one person to another and they can travel from one part of the body to another.

Causes of Plantar Warts

Find common causes and risk factors of Plantar Warts :

HPV can enter the skin through cuts or scratches on the plantar area of the foot.

Some people are more prone to warts than others.

Exposing your feet to unsanitary surfaces

Plantar warts are common. They may bleed if injured.

You are most likely to develop a wart where you have broken skin, such as a cut, hangnail, closely bitten nail, or scrape. Plantar warts are common to swimmers whose feet are not only moist and softened but are also scratched and broken by rough pool surfaces. Common warts are often seen among those who handle meat, chicken, and fish.

Plantar Warts Symptoms

Foot pain – Feels like a lump under the foot

Leg or back pain – Possibly causes poor posture

Firm, warty (rough, bumpy, and spongy, some appear thick and scaly) lesions with tiny pinpoint dark spots inside (not always apparent)

Diagnosis and Treatment

To diagnose a plantar wart, the foot and ankle surgeon will examine the patientâ??s foot and look for signs and symptoms of a wart.

Although plantar warts may eventually clear up on their own, most patients desire faster relief. The goal of treatment is to completely remove the wart.

The foot and ankle surgeon may use topical or oral treatments, laser therapy, cryotherapy (freezing), or surgery to remove the wart.

The goal of wart treatment is to destroy or remove the wart without creating scar tissue, which can be more painful than the wart itself. How a wart is treated depends on the type of wart, its location, and its symptoms. Also important is your willingness to follow a weeks- or months-long course of treatment.

Although plantar warts may eventually disappear by themselves, you should seek treatment if they are painful. Your physician will carefully trim the wart and apply a chemically treated dressing. The physician will also give you instructions for self-care. Salicylic acid patches, applied on a daily basis, and good foot hygiene, including regular use of a pumice stone, are often all that is needed. However, it may take several weeks for the wart to disappear completely.

Expectations (prognosis)

Warts are generally harmless growths that often go away on their own within two years. They can be contagious, but transmission from person to person is uncommon. Warts may be unsightly or cause discomfort, especially on the feet.

The Fact About Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer starts in the cells of the cervix. The cervix is the narrow, lower part of the uterus (or womb). It is the passageway that connects the uterus to the vagina.
The cervix is part of a womans reproductive system. It makes mucus that helps sperm move from the vagina into the uterus or keeps sperm from entering the uterus. Every month during your menstrual period blood flows from the uterus through the cervix into the vagina. During pregnancy, the cervix is closed to keep the baby inside the uterus. During childbirth, the cervix opens (dilates) so that the baby can pass through the vagina.
Before cervical cancer develops, the cells of the cervix start to change and become abnormal. These abnormal cells are precancerous, meaning that they are not cancer. Precancerous changes to the cervix are called dysplasia of the cervix (or cervical dysplasia).
Dysplasia of the cervix is not cancer. It is a common precancerous change that can develop into cancer if it isnt treated. It is important to know that most women with dysplasia do not develop cancer.
Most women have regular cervical screening with a smear test or liquid-based cytology. The screening is designed to find early changes in the cells of the cervix, so that treatment can be given to prevent a cancer from developing. Although the aim of cervical screening is to prevent cancer, it can also sometimes detect a cancer that has already developed, before any symptoms occur.
Cancer of the cervix can take many years to develop. Before it does, changes occur in the cells of the cervix. These abnormal cells are not cancerous, and are called cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia (CIN). Some doctors call these changes pre-cancerous. This means that the cells might develop into cancer in some women if they are not treated. It is important to know that most women with CIN do not develop cancer.
CIN is usually the result of a virus infection: the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a very common virus that can affect the cells of the cervix. It is mainly passed on during sexual intercourse. Most women who have had sexual intercourse will have the virus at some time in their life. However, in many women their immune system will get rid of the virus and they won’t even know they had it.
Recently several research trials have looked at using vaccines to prevent HPV infection. The results seem to show that in future, it will be possible to vaccinate young women against the high-risk types of HPV and so prevent most cases of cervical cancer.
CIN that might develop into cancer can be treated in various ways. The aim of any treatment is to remove or destroy all of the affected cells. This can be done using surgery, where the affected area of the cervix is removed by large loop excision (LLETZ) or cone biopsy. Instead, the affected areas can be destroyed by laser therapy, or using heat (cold coagulation). These procedures are usually carried out in an outpatient clinic and may be done by doctors or specialist nurses.

Genital Wart Treatment: What Works & What Does Not

 

A genital wart can look like a common wart or be pink or red in color.  They can appear like a rough cauliflower like a hand wart.  These warts grow in the genital area where it is moist. Sometimes they cause burning or itching. 

 

In women they may appear on the vulva, anus or cervix.  In men they are often found on the penis or scrotum.  They can spread to the groin and inner thigh area in men and women.

 

There is no cure for HPV but it is possible to find genital wart treatment.  Sometimes Genital Warts disappear on their own, without any treatment.  Genital wart treatment involves medications and sometimes surgery.  There are prescription topical genital wart treatments which include Trichloroacetic acid, Imiquimod and Podofilox.

 

Surgical treatment for Genital Warts includes laser treatment, electrocautery and cryosurgery.  Laser and electrocautery works by burning off the warts and cryosurgery uses liquid nitrogen to freeze the wart.  The wart will fall off after cryosurgery.

 

There is an antiviral drug called Interferon which is injected into the wart. However this is not usually used as a primary treatment method. This is an expensive treatment and is usually used when warts reappear after other treatments have been used.

 

Once you have HPV you will always carry it even if you have no symptoms.  There is no cure.  When you are asymptomatic the virus lies dormant in your system.  The virus is transmitted sexually or by skin to skin contact.

 

There is an HPV vaccine called Gardisil available for young women to protect against cervical cancer and it may prevent Genital Warts.  Condoms do not protect against HPV 100 percent.  Since HPV can be caused by skin to skin contact and lesions can be on other areas besides the penis condoms cannot provide complete protection.  However, condoms should be used during sexual intercourse to prevent transmission of other sexually transmitted diseases.  Condoms can still decrease the risk of the spread of HPV.

 

Having an STD can be an embarrassing and sensitive issue.  Do not let this stop you from getting genital wart treatment.  It is a medical problem that can be treated.

 

Sometimes genital warts are so small they may go undetected by the individual.  A woman may find out she has HPV following a gynecological exam and Pap smear.

 

Genital wart treatments are not a cure.  Sometimes genital warts disappear on their own.  Other times they reappear after treatment.

 

If you are sexually active and you have genital warts, the best thing you can do is to tell your sexual partner that you carry HPV and make it a practices to use a condom when having sex. Try to abstain if you have an active wart.  If you detect a genital wart seek genital wart treatment right away.

Warts â?? Knowing what they are and telling them goodbye

Warts â?? Knowing what they are and telling them goodbyeWarts that are found on the skin are called “common warts” and they are local growths in the skin that are caused by the human papillomavirus, which is the same virus that causes cervical cancer in women. There have been over 100 types of HPVs that have been associated with warts that are found on the skin. It is usually warned that warts are contagious, but it is very possible for just one family member to have them. They may also just affect one part of the body, such as the feet, the hands, or various other areas without spreading to other areas of the body at any time. Warts can also come in very unique shapes. For instance, an individual may develop warts on the face that are in a horseshoe shape. They can also develop on the lips and in the corner of the mouth. Warts to affect anyone, but they are most common in children ages 12 to 16. It is believed that 10% of the general population has warts, with 20% of those with the condition being schoolchildren. Those who have HIV, chemotherapy, or organ transplants may also be more susceptible to warts. This is because their immune system has been weakened. The different types of warts and what they look likeThere are five different types of warts. Those types include:â?¢ The dome shaped warts that you may find on the backs of fingers, on the toes, and on the knees. These are the most common form of warts and they are generally painless. These are the warts that are easy to ignore if they are not in a place where they can easily be seen. â?¢ Plantar warts, which can be found on the bottom of the foot. They are different than the other types of warts in that they are flat and they cause a callous to build up. The callous has to be peeled back before the actual wart can be seen. It is believed that these warts attack blood vessels that are deep within the skin and they can be very painful. â?¢ Flat warts may show up on the face, the legs, and other areas of the body. They also tend to appear in large numbers. You will not find just one in a particular area. These like to have friends, so you will find them in clusters, which can make them even more noticeable and that much more irritating. â?¢ Periungual warts are those warts that youâ??ll find under or around fingernails and toenails. These can become irritating and be easily cut or nipped, making them painful. â?¢ Filliform warts look like a single long stalk. It usually shows up on the face. This is one of the types of warts that are hard to hide. This can make a person shy away from others in a social environment. This can be especially hard on schoolchildren who must be visible to other children. Facts and symptoms of wartsThe symptoms of common warts are quite obvious. The bumps are small, fleshy, and grainy. They may also be pink, white, or tan and rough to the touch. You may notice a single wart or you may notice that the warts appear in clusters. If they are cut or picked, small black dots may show up. These are commonly referred to as “wart seeds.” Wart seeds are actually very small blood vessels that are clotted. They really shouldnâ??t be picked at or cut for the fact that common warts are most usually painless and they do inflict children and young adults the most. An interesting fact about warts is the fact that they spread, but they spread because the HPV spreads when the wart is compromised. That is why more warts tend to sprout up around the original wart. It is ideal to do what is necessary to prevent the spread of HPV by taking very special care of the areas that are affected by warts. This is discussed a little bit later in this article. How to treat wartsThere are different ways to treat common warts. It is good to have them treated because they can be annoying to anyone. Now these treatments do not work on Genital Warts. They only work on common warts. The treatment methods include:â?¢ Salicylic-acid â?? These treatments are available in gels, pads, drops, and in plasters. These can take care of tiny warts or take care of large warts. Salicylic-acid will dissolve the protein that makes the wart what it is. The proteins also make up the thick layer of dead skin that covers it. â?¢ Freezing methods â?? There are aerosol wart treatments that are due over the counter. The warts are frozen at a temperature of minus 70 degrees. This compares to the liquid hydrogen that is used by most dermatologists, which can be as cold as minus 320 degrees. â?¢ Duct tape is an at home method that many individuals use. It is believed that warts can actually be suffocated if the oxygen is cut off from the wart. Electrical tape is also an option that people use. This is a hard method because it is hard to keep the tape in place. It has to stay in place all of the time and only be removed a few hours each week. The problem with this is that the tape almost always falls off. Wart treatments are safe, but they do require patience. This is because they can take a while to go away. Warts can also appear and disappear as they please without any sort of explanation. Sometimes the warts will sprout offshoots from the original site. Then there are those that donâ??t do that at all. Any time these treatments are administered, it is important to soak the affected area in warm water so that any loose skin can be removed. This should be done every few days with a mild abrasive. The best abrasive tool to use is the pumice stone. There is also the fact that some warts will respond to treatment and some wonâ??t. That is why some individuals just ignore their warts. They do this because they will eventually go away. If a case is not very severe, it is a good idea to see a doctor for a quick freeze to get rid of them. It is a good idea to seek medical advice when the warts become bothersome. Most individuals donâ??t have to seek medical treatment because the warts will disappear on their own. But seeking medical treatment does help in preventing warts from spreading to other parts of the body and to other people. If home treatments are not successful, then it is important to see a doctor if they are bothersome or they are multiplying rapidly. It is especially important to seek treatment for warts when they are bleeding or they become painful. Diabetics should also be especially vigilant if they have warts on their feet because this can lead to a much more severe condition. How to prevent wartsWarts can be prevented. Furthermore, the spread of warts can also be prevented. Here are some things that you want to do to prevent warts and prevent the spread:â?¢ It is important to not shave, brush, clip, or cut areas that have warts in order to prevent the spread of HPV. â?¢ If you have used a file or clipper on your warts, donâ??t use the same file or clipper on your unaffected nails. â?¢ If you have warts around your fingers, do not bite your nails. This is another way to spread HPV to other areas of the body. â?¢ Donâ??t pick at your warts because picking causes the virus to spread. It is a good idea to cover warts with adhesive bandages in order to prevent the spread. â?¢ It is also important to keep hands as dry as possible. Warts are harder to keep at bay in moist environments. â?¢ Make sure your hands are washed after touching warts to keep the spread from happening. â?¢ Family members should not use the same towels as someone who has warts. The towels can help in the spread. Since they can be spread from person-to-person, prevent the spread to someone else by being mindful of these things. And if you already have warts, make sure you follow these rules to ensure you donâ??t spread them to other areas of your body. Spreading them to other areas of the body can be miserable and can increase the chances of spreading to others. Prevention can be quite easy as long as common sense is exercised. Sometimes it can be difficult, but it is very possible. Taking care means not spreading warts to those places that others may find to be obvious, which can save a lot of social embarrassment. Actually, keeping warts under control will solve a lot of problems in an individualâ??s life, which is why it is important to get them under control as soon as possible

Genital Warts â?? Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Anal warts are uncommon skin infection also known as Condylomata acuminata. Warts are benign tumors of the epidermis.They are caused by virus known as human papilloma virus (HPV).

Anal Warts are tiny, pinhead sized blemishes around the anus for sometime now and thought they’d go away on their own. But that did not happen, in fact, these small bumps grew to become pea-sized. This relatively common and bothersome condition does not appear as anal wart alone; it may present itself as anal genital wart, common warts on hands and plantar warts on the feet too.

Causes

The virus responsible for Genital Warts is called human papilloma virus (HPV). This virus can cause warts on the penis, vulva, urethra, vagina, cervix, and around the anus.

HPV infection around the genitals is common, although most people have no symptoms. Even if you do NOT have symptoms, however, you must be treated to avoid complications and spreading the condition to others.

Although much remains to be learned about how the papilloma virus progresses, doctors have observed that the warm, moist environment in the genital area seems to favor wart growth. Outbreaks appear to be exacerbated during pregnancy and in patients with defective immune systems.

Symptoms

· Raised, flesh-colored lesions on the genitals, anus, or surrounding skin

· Cauliflower-like appearing growths around the anus or genitals

· Increased dampness or moisture in the area of the growths

Signs and Tests

A genital examination reveals flesh-colored to white, flat or raised, single or clustered lesions anywhere on the genitalia.

In women, a pelvic examination may reveal growths on the vaginal walls or the cervix. Magnification (colposcopy) may be used to see lesions invisible to the naked eye. The tissue of the vagina and cervix may be treated with acetic acid to make the warts visible. A pap smear may note changes associated with HPV.

Treatment

Genital Warts must be treated by a doctor. DO NOT use over-the counter remedies meant for other kinds of warts. Your doctor may treat Genital Warts by applying a skin treatment in the office. Or, the doctor may prescribe a medication that you apply at home several times per week.

Treatment of genital warts can be painful, and warts return after treatment in between 20% and 50% of people. Warts that return after being treated usually are not treated again unless you want to be retreated.

Surgical treatments include cryosurgery, surgical therapy:

Cryotherapy

A health professional applies liquid nitrogen to and around the warts.

First, the tissue is frozen with liquid nitrogen. Then, the tissue is allowed to thaw. The tissue is frozen again, if needed. The time of application varies by the health professional who applies the liquid nitrogen and the size of the warts.

The size and thickness of the warts determine the number and length of freeze/thaw cycles. Up to three treatments may be needed.

Surgery

Visible genital warts on the penis or vagina or around the anus are removed by excision, which means cutting the warts off with a surgical knife (scalpel). Warts on the cervix may be removed by laser or loop electrosurgical excision (LEEP).

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