Plantar warts are coarse, thick nodules in the skin that show up on the bottom of your feet, where most of your weight shifts to when standing. The main concern of this blog is the question: Are foot warts contagious?
We are experts in all conditions affecting the feet and are here to answer this question and discuss prevention and treatment for plantar warts. To learn more, just keep reading!
Are Foot Warts Contagious?
Yes, foot warts are contagious if they are plantar warts. Plantar warts are caused by viral infection, which doesn’t spread airborne pathogens like the flu but by HPV (human papillomavirus).
Although HPV is the most common viral STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) among Americans, it doesn’t have to be passed through acts of intimacy. There are two types of HPV: oncogenic (cancer-causing) and non-oncogenic (wart-causing); the latter, of course, is the kind that leads to plantar warts.
You can contract non-oncogenic HPV through an open cut or wound either by having direct skin-to-skin contact with someone carrying the virus or by touching a surface or object they have touched.
Preventing Plantar Warts at the Source
After you have plantar warts, you aren’t cured of the root cause, and they can return after treatment. However, if you don’t have non-oncogenic HPV, the best way to prevent it and the resulting plantar warts is to get vaccinated.
Since HPV isn’t only caused by sexual contact, anyone can contract it. Your child could even contract HPV if they get hurt on the playground and someone carrying the virus (that can even be other children, unknowingly) helps out with cleaning and bandaging your child’s wound.
The CDC says a series of 2-3 HPV vaccinations is necessary and is most efficacious when administered as a precaution before a patient’s potential future exposure to the virus. Children are eligible to start a series of HPV vaccinations at nine years old. If you get your first dose of the vaccine series when you’re ages 9–14, you’ll only need two doses to be protected. You will need three doses if you’re 15 or older when you get your first dose.
Why Treating Plantar Warts Is Necessary
When you find out that you have plantar warts from a podiatrist, primary care physician, or in some other way, you’ll want to seek treatment ASAP. Here are three reasons why:
#1: Effective Pain Management
Plantar warts can cause extreme discomfort or pain, making walking difficult. Treatment will help enhance mobility and mitigate pain.
#2: HPV Transmission Prevention
HPV is contagious, but treating warts from it lowers the risk of spreading the warts to other parts of the body or passing HPV to other people.
#3: Doing Nothing Leads to Complications
If you delay or neglect getting treatment, there can be complications like:
- Callus development over warts
- Higher risk of spreading HPV to others
- Higher risk of secondary conditions
Treatments for Plantar Warts
We recommend speaking to your primary care doctor when you need a diagnosis and treatment for plantar warts. They will either offer in-house treatment or refer you to a podiatrist.
Cryotherapy
This treatment is straightforward. Cryotherapy for plantar warts involves freezing them individually with liquid nitrogen, causing them to fall off.
Topicals
Two main types of topicals are commonly used to treat plantar warts. Salicylic acid is an over-the-counter treatment available in the skincare section at the drugstore. You apply it with a cotton round once or twice a day on your plantar warts. Over time, salicylic acid gently sloughs away the wart.
The other type of topical for plantar warts is a prescription blistering agent called Cantharidin. Usually, the podiatrist or PCP treating you will apply Cantharidin to your plantar warts for you at their office.
Natural Remedies
The following natural remedies for plantar warts are technically topicals, too, but they need their own category since they’re made with natural ingredients you probably have in your kitchen.
Apple cider vinegar and crushed garlic are two ingredients with antiviral and astringent properties that can be applied similarly to the salicylic acid treatment. Although these natural topicals are not guaranteed to help, there is much anecdotal evidence that they work for some patients.
Your Guide to Healthy Feet
Thanks for reading today’s blog on plantar warts. If you have plantar warts, our podiatrists would happily consult with you.
Whether you’re dealing with foot conditions related to plantar warts or otherwise, don’t hesitate to get the help you need; please contact our staff at Foot Specialists of Birmingham today! We’ll gladly help you set up an appointment with our incredible team of podiatry experts and nursing assistants who are certified by the American Society of Podiatric Medical Assistants.
