Vurrucas , the Latin name for Warts are due to a viral infection affecting the skin (human papillomavirus {HPV}). They are quite prevalent in children who have reduced immune defenses, and adults who might be unwell or with altered immune function. A plantar wart (picture below) is different to warts that appear in other parts of the body, because the main body of the wart appears under the skin, rather than on top – thus making them painful to walk on. Plantar warts can be stubborn and traditional treatments such as acid therapy are often time consuming and painful.
How many treatments will I need? The number of treatments is dependent on how you respond to treatment, however most patients require 3 treatments or less. Treatments are performed monthly.
Treatment Options
Chemical cautery removes warts by using specific chemicals in conjunction with debridement in an effort to break down the wart tissue. The use of chemicals cause chemical burns to the skin in order for the wart to die. The chemicals Mint Foot Care has available are potassium hydroxide, salicylic acid and silver nitrate solutions. The wart is treated first by having the overlying callus debrided followed by application of the chemical agent. The wart is then dressed with an occlusive dressing and deflective padding. We usually require the patient to return in 7 days for debridement of the wart followed by application of the chemical agent. Single warts typically require between 6 to 8 treatments and multiple, persistent warts may take longer to remove.
How are Verrucas or Warts Caused ?
Simple warts usually caused by HPV types 1,2,4, 60 & 63. These are not included in HPV vaccinations.
The virus enters the skin through tiny breaks in the skin surface. Moisture and maceration of the skin on the feet encourage infection with the wart virus. Warts are ‘caught’ by direct or indirect contact with HPV-infected skin scales that are found on surfaces such as the tiles around a swimming pool or changing rooms. It is not clear why some people get infected and others do not. The time between exposure to the virus and a wart developing (the incubation period) is thought to be 1-6 months.
The bottom line is that you can’t do much prevent yourself getting simple warts.
