Health Tip: Treating Plantar Warts

(HealthDay News) -- Plantar warts are viral skin infections that occur on the bottom of the foot. They are easily picked up by walking barefoot in public showers or locker rooms.

A plantar wart may look like a callus, but it typically has visible black dots in the wart -- capillary blood vessels -- that aren''t seen in calluses.

Plantar warts may be very sore, especially when you walk. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says if a plantar wart is causing significant pain, see your doctor.

Typical treatment involves removing some of the skin around the wart, and applying medication and a dressing. Your doctor also may recommend using salicylic acid remedy -- in a patch or liquid form -- to help reduce and eventually eliminate the wart.

If these steps aren''t successful, your doctor may opt to perform a minor surgical procedure and remove the wart entirely.

-- Diana Kohnle

Last Updated: Oct. 5, 2006