Understanding Warts / Verruca

Viral warts are caused by, as their name suggests, viral infections. Specifically, human papillomavirus (HPV), a very common virus. There are more than 70 subtypes of HPV which cause specific types of infections.

Warts are caused by HPV viral infections | Family Podiatry Centre | Best Foot Doctor Podiatrist DPM Clinic Singapore Malaysia

What causes warts?

  • HPV can enter your skin through open wounds or even little scratches and abrasions created by, for example, simply walking on rough poolside non-slip tiles or dry skin.
  • Having skin that’s too moist or too dry can also weaken the skin’s natural barrier against infection and make you more vulnerable to viruses.
  • Warts are highly infectious, and can be spread through contact with someone else’s infection through their shoes or a dirty bathroom floor.

While warts on the face and hands can project outwards, those which occur on the bottom of the foot are flattened by pressure from walking and are covered with hard skin. These warts can become very large and quickly spread to others, so starting treatment early is essential. 

How not to treat Warts

  • There are numerous home remedies for warts, but effectiveness varies and they are more likely to worsen the situation.
  • Topical ointments or creams contain weak acids which may seem to alleviate the warts, but actually create more holes in the skin for the virus to spread and worsen the warts

Best Treatment for Warts

Unfortunately, as there is currently no effective anti-viral drug for warts, most treatments are aimed at destroying the affected area instead. At Family Podiatry Centre, we offer:

  • Freezing
  • Electrodessication (Burning)
  • Specialized chemical agents that destroy the warts
  • Radiosurgery
 
Be warned that foot warts are still very difficult to treat due to the wide area they can affect, and they may recur even after the initial treatment. However, undergoing proper clinical treatments reduce the chance of recurrence greatly, especially with high-tech solutions like radiosurgery. We highly recommend that you book a consultation with a podiatrist to find out what the best solution is for your warts
Written by Kardem Kiter
Written by Kardem Kiter

Based in Singapore, Degree in Podiatric Medicine from the University of Johannesburg. Published in The Foot and member of The Golden Key Honour Society.

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