Summer is finally here, and it’s time to put away the boots and shoes and break out the sandals! And if you enjoy a lot of outdoor activities, your feet will need some extra care. And stopping plantar warts in their tracks is essential. So today, Dr. Anant Joshi at Advanced Foot Care of NJ, LLC is sharing important information regarding this condition and how to prevent it.

Plantar warts develop when the HPV infects the outer layer of the skin on the bottom of your foot. It typically starts as a scaly, rough patch with small dark spots. HPV can contaminate the skin on a small crack or cut and remain active on warm, moist surfaces such as in the shower stall or bathtub, in public changing rooms, or at the swimming pool.

When aggravated by physical activity, these warts can become quite painful. And if you put too much pressure on the skin of the feet, calluses can form on top of the wart, which may misidentify as a corn or callus.

Patients are at a higher risk of warts if they have sweaty feet, cracks in their feet, or walk barefoot. Depending on the patient’s immune system, some plantar warts can disappear on their own, but persistent or painful warts will need medical intervention to avoid spreading them.

How to Prevent Plantar Warts

Good foot hygiene is crucial to the prevention of plantar warts. Some tips to help keep your feet healthy and happy include:

Always wear clean, dry shoes and socks
Cleaning the insides of your shoes regularly
Avoid sharing shoes, socks, or towels with others
Drying your feet thoroughly after bathing
Avoid walking barefoot
Cleansing your tub or shower regularly.

Don’t take any chances with your foot health – if you think you may have what could be the beginning of a plantar wart, contact us to schedule an appointment.

At Advanced Foot Care of NJ, LLC, Dr. Anant Joshi treats various conditions, including Achilles tendonitis, ankle sprains, athlete’s foot complications, diabetes, fractures, fungal toenails, and more. He also performs foot and ankle surgery. He is a board-certified podiatrist in Woodland Park, NJ. Contact the office at 973-256-0002.