Ward off that foot wart

If you have a hard, raised bit of skin on the foot, it is probably a wart. They come and go and may happen to anybody – but they happen more to some people, and it is important to know what causes them and how to keep them at bay.

Why do I get warts on my feet?

Warts are relatively harmless skin growths that protrude slightly and are normally the same colour as your skin. They are formed as a result of a minor skin infection brought on by the HPV (Human Papilloma Virus). HPV is present on the skin in small amounts and it is quite harmless, until certain conditions cause an increase in number. At this stage, it becomes virulent and contagious.

HPV spreads and increases in proportion in environments that are warm and moist, and which are conducive to its growth. The warts may be pale and painless, or in some cases, soft and inflamed. The warts also have a propensity to spread – if there is one wart formed, there is every chance of more forming elsewhere on the foot.

Even worse, the HPV can be transmitted from person to person via direct or indirect contact. So if there is an infected person in the same pool that you are in, or if you borrow the shoes of a person who has the virus, you can get it too. So if you take good care of your feet but are still prone to warts, you might need to get a doctor’s opinion and also keep away from those who suffer from the problem.

How to cure warts

·         Many warts come and go on their own, and you don’t even feel their presence or notice them because they do not hurt or impede you in any way.

·         Warts normally have hardened skin at the base. You can try removing them by yourself, taking care to use only the most hygienic materials so that you don’t deepen the infection further. Soak your foot in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes, so that the skin becomes soft. Once the skin is softened, it becomes easier to scrape away the wart using a foot scraper. Take care to disinfect the scraper before use, and to disinfect it after use as well.

·         You can also use a doughnut-shaped plaster around the wart to isolate it, so that it starts drying up. These are available at most drugstores.

·         If the wart is painful or oozy, only your doctor should attempt to remove it.

·         Do not walk barefoot in areas of communal use, such as the gym, locker rooms, swimming pools, tiled areas in public parks, etc.