Do you suspect that you may have a plantar wart? If so, you will want to make sure that you have it taken care of as soon as possible. Not only can plantar warts be spread to other people, but it is also possible for them to multiply on you. What this means is that one wart can turn into several or many warts. It is also likely that you will want to have them taken care of because plantar warts are really not very comfortable. Here are some tips on how to identity plantar warts.
Location
Plantar warts generally only occur on the feet. These warts are usually found on the soles of the feet, but it is also possible for plantar warts to appear on the toes as well. If you have a wart on another area of the body, such as the hands or knees, then it is probably not a plantar wart. There are many other types of warts out there, so you will want to try to identify what type you have.
Appearance
A plantar wart looks a lot like a cluster of cauliflower. The cluster may either be white, light brown, or a dirty shade of yellow in color. In the center of the plantar wart, there is a tiny black dot, which many refer to as the “root.”
Plantar Wart vs. Mosaic Cluster
Plantar warts can occur in the form of one single wart or a mosaic cluster. The main difference is how many warts there actually are. A mosaic cluster looks as though there are several plantar warts in the same area. It may appear that they are overlapping one another or there may be a bit of space between them, but they are usually very close together.
Pain and Discomfort
The biggest problem with plantar warts is that they can be incredibly painful. Plantar warts may hurt significantly when you are walking, standing, or doing anything that requires you to put a lot of pressure on your foot. Depending on the area of the foot where the warts are located, the pain may be mild or severe. Surfaces such as tile and cement may be more painful for you to walk on than other softer surfaces, such as carpet. Keep in mind that pain is not always a symptom of plantar warts, however.
If you suspect that you may have a plantar wart, the best thing that you can do is visit a dermatologist. Although there are many products out on the market which claim to take care of plantar warts, many of them are very ineffective and may be nothing but a waste of money. Cryosurgery, which is when a cold substance is applied to get rid of the damaged tissue, is a much more effective option for the treatment of plantar warts. Even if you have something that looks like a plantar wart, it is a good idea to visit the dermatologist to find out exactly what it is and take care of it before the problem worsens. Healthy feet are important too!
