No More Plantar Warts or Verrucas!

Verrucas, which are also known as plantar warts, can be a nuisance.

They are localized thickenings of the skin caused by infection in the outer layer of the skin. 

What causes verrucas / plantar warts?

They are caused by an infection, leading to overgrowth and thickening of the skin resulting in benign skin growths.

How can they be transmitted?

Verrucas can be caught through direct contact with infected skin scales, such as from public changing room floors, shower cubicles, or swimming pool areas. They can also spread through autoinoculation (transferring warts to surrounding skin by scratching or rubbing).   

This highly contagious wart agent must have a point of entry into the skin to infect the body. There can be cracks in dry skin, cuts or scrapes or wet and softened fragile skin especially from prolonged water exposure making the foot vulnerable so that plantar warts can result. 

Each person's body responds differently so not everyone who comes in contact develops warts. Even those in the same family can avoid getting warts. 

What do verrucas look like?

Appearing on the soles and/or toes of the feet, they often affect weight-bearing areas. They vary in size and may have a rough surface with small black dots (clotted blood vessels). “Mosaic warts” refer to tightly packed clusters of small plantar warts.

What are the symptoms of verrucas?

While most verrucas are asymptomatic, some can be uncomfortable, especially if they occur in  those weight-bearing areas. Painful verrucas are called “myrmecial warts.”  They are actually warts that occur on the bottom of the feet.

A verruca differs from other warts by growing inwards, forming round areas of rough skin with a dry crusty surface and tiny black dots inside.

As they grow, they can become very painful as pressure is applied.  It is not long before a plantar wart becomes flattened with pain and discomfort from the pressure of walking.  

How do I prevent verrucas?

You can take these steps:

• Keep your feet clean and dry.
• Avoid walking barefoot in public places like pool decks, locker rooms and showers.
• Wear shoes or sandals in public places.
• Avoid sharing shoes or socks with others.
• Disinfect any cuts or scrapes on your feet to prevent infection.
• Avoid touching other people's warts.

It's also a good idea to inspect your feet regularly for signs of warts, such as small, hard bumps on the soles of your feet. 

Early treatment makes it easier to get rid of these warts and also helps to prevent them from spreading. 

How do I tackle verrucas?

You can try these various suggestions:

• An over-the-counter salicylic acid preparation available at the pharmacy in liquid, gel, pad or ointment form. Be sure to follow package directions because over-application of these products can burn the skin. Periodically sand and re-treat the wart. It can take several months to get rid of a large one using these treatments. Soak the affected area in warm water for five minutes before applying the salicylic acid to enhance the effects of the medication. The prolonged use of this medication is not recommended, especially in infants, people with diabetes, or others with circulation problems.

• A commercial preparation containing about 17% salicylic acid and 17% lactic acid in a fast-drying solution that can be applied daily after showering. Once the preparation is dry, the wart is covered with waterproof tape, which is removed after the next shower or bath.  Follow the instructions to continue with the method which can take several months to clear the wart.

• Using duct tape is another approach where the tape is applied to the wart so that it is covered twenty four hours a day, six out of seven days a week, for six weeks.  

• You can visit your doctor for the plantar wart to be cut out which can be painful and possibly lead to scarring.

We recommend the use of H-Warts Formula which is gentle and very effective on plantar warts and verrucas.  The surface of the plantar wart is targeted, and the root structure is eliminated, so there is no regrowth, burning, pain or scarring.

How do I use H-Warts Formula for my verrucas?

You apply the product directly to them and because the formula is concentrated, only a few drops are needed for each application.

The  natural components will counteract the symptoms of warts when used properly and according to instructions which are provided.

 

 

 

 

SOURCES: 

Landis MN, et al. Recalcitrant plantar warts treated with recombinant quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2012;67:e73.

Habif TP. Plantar warts. In: Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy. 6th ed. Edinburgh, U.K.; New York, N.Y.: Elsevier; 2016. https://www.clinicalkey.com. -(Accessed March 2, 2017).

Kwok CS, et al. Topical treatments for cutaneous warts. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD001781.pub3/abstract.-(Accessed March 2, 2017).

Warts. American Academy of Dermatology. http://www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/diseases-and-treatments/u---w/warts. Accessed March 2, 2017.