What are Seed Warts?
Seed warts, medically known as verruca plantaris, are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a highly contagious virus that infects the outermost layer of the skin, leading to the formation of warts. While there are over one hundred types of HPV, only a few strains, including HPV types 1, 2, 4, 60, and 63, are responsible for seed warts. The virus is transmitted through direct contact or by touching contaminated surfaces. It enters the skin through small cuts, breaks, or abrasions, where it invades skin cells and causes warts to develop.
HPV types 1 and 2 are the primary culprits for seed warts, commonly found in warm, moist environments such as public pools, locker rooms, and communal showers. HPV types 4, 60, and 63 are less common but also associated with seed warts. Seed warts are highly contagious, though the likelihood of infection and wart development varies among individuals.
Plantar Warts: Characteristics and Causes
Plantar warts are a type of wart that specifically occurs on the soles of the feet. They are characterized by fleshy, grainy growths of skin, typically appearing on the heels or balls of the feet. Unlike warts on other parts of the body that tend to be raised, plantar warts may appear flat due to the pressure from standing. These warts disrupt the normal lines and ridges of the foot, and often display black "pinpoints" in the center, which are clotted blood vessels.
The development of plantar warts requires two main factors: exposure to HPV and a way for the virus to penetrate the skin. Exposure is more likely in public, humid environments where people go barefoot, such as pool decks, locker rooms, and showers. The virus can also thrive in damp shoes and socks. HPV enters the skin through cuts, cracks, or other weak points. Maintaining healthy, clean, and smooth skin can help reduce the risk of infection.
Symptoms and When to Seek Treatment
While plantar warts are generally harmless, they can become very painful if they grow in a weight-bearing area of the foot. If your plantar warts are not causing pain or discomfort, you may choose to let them resolve on their own. However, it's important to understand that this process can take months or even years. As long as an active wart is present, there is a risk of spreading.
For these reasons, treatment is often recommended even if the warts are not currently bothersome. If plantar warts are painful or causing discomfort, consulting a healthcare provider for advice on treatment is advisable. Many healthcare providers will first recommend over-the-counter treatments.
Home Treatment Options
Several options are available for treating plantar warts at home, or you can seek professional treatment from a healthcare provider. Over-the-counter wart treatments are widely available and include salicylic acid products in various forms like gels, liquids, and patches. These products typically range in salicylic acid concentration from 17% to 40%. It is important to apply the salicylic acid product directly to the wart, avoiding contact with the surrounding skin. Complete resolution may take up to three months.
Another over-the-counter option is freeze sprays, which usually contain a mixture of dimethyl ether and propane. These products are briefly applied to the wart to freeze it. While not extensively researched, some individuals find duct tape to be an effective remedy. For this method, apply a piece of classic silver duct tape directly over the wart, ensuring it extends beyond the wart's perimeter. Change the tape every few days, allowing the skin a few hours of break before reapplying. This process may take weeks to show results.
Professional Treatment Methods
For persistent or bothersome plantar warts, professional medical treatments are available. One common method is cryotherapy, which involves freezing the warts off using liquid nitrogen. A healthcare provider will apply liquid nitrogen to the wart and surrounding skin, causing a burn that kills the virus-infected cells. This procedure can be painful and may lead to redness or blisters.
Electrodessication, also known as zapping and cutting or cautery and curettage, involves burning the wart with an electric needle and then using a curette to remove the wart. Prescription medications, such as topical immunotherapy drug imiquimod or topical chemotherapy drug fluorouracil, can be applied to the wart as a cream. Intralesional immunotherapy is another option, which tests the patient's reaction to skin test antigens like mumps, Candida, or Trichophyton.
A newer professional treatment gaining traction is Swift microwave therapy. Compared to older methods like salicylic acid and cryotherapy, Swift therapy typically requires fewer treatment sessions, causes minimal discomfort for only a few seconds, needs no aftercare, and has a very low risk of side effects.
CryoProbe: Cryotherapy Aesthetics Skin Surface Treatment
What NOT to Do
It is strongly advised never to attempt to pull out plantar warts with tweezers. This method is extremely painful, and it is unlikely that you will remove the entire wart, increasing the chance of it growing back. Furthermore, pulling out a plantar wart yourself can injure healthy skin tissue and potentially lead to a serious infection.
Similarly, never attempt to cut off a plantar wart at home. Such actions can cause significant damage, infection, and may not effectively remove the underlying virus.
Preventing Seed Warts
To reduce the risk of contracting or spreading seed warts, it's important to practice good hygiene and take precautions in public areas. Avoid going barefoot in humid, public environments like locker rooms, pool decks, and communal showers. Wear protective footwear in these areas. Keep your skin healthy, clean, and moisturized to minimize cuts and cracks where the virus can enter. If you have warts, avoid touching them as much as possible to prevent spreading the virus to other parts of your body or to other people.