“Is there any way to prevent plantar warts?”
I have plantar warts on the bottom of my feet. Is there anything I can do to prevent these? I typically use OTC treatment to get rid of them
20 Answers
Warts are very small viruses. Over the counter medication usually does not truly get rid of them. This will progress if left untreated. There are multiple non-painful conservative options that work very well. Please, make an appointment with me in my Chandler office (480) 269-7130 and I will go over all of your options. Depending on Xrays (if needed) that I can take at my office and the clinical exam, I am able to diagnose and recommend different treatment options. I recommend you have this checked as soon as you can, especially since I can usually treat this without surgery very well in just one visit with me. My office is located on Dobson Road, just north of Chandler Regional Hospital. Advanced Foot & Ankle Specialists of Arizona. Feel free to ask to be seen by me specifically and I will get you in the same day or latest the next day. I take all insurances, please do not go off of the insurance list on this website as it is not updated yet. Mention that I have talked to you on the internet. I can also do the entire visit with you over the phone or video call as well, which most insurances cover, even if you are out of state and my staff can verify this for you when you schedule. Thank you and have a good evening.
Not really. Avoid walking barefoot around pools, gym showers, etc.
The warts are caused by a virus. In a young patient, there are treatments to prevent recurrence, but there is nothing to prevent them in an adult.
Dr. Kathleen Neuhoff
Dr. Kathleen Neuhoff
Plantar warts are a virus, not to be confused with plantar porokeratosis or pressure keratosis. As you get older, you usually develop an immunity to the wart virus. Staying away from others who have warts would be a good start. Make yourself less tasty to them by wearing clean socks. Use an antiperspirant and watch where you go for pedicures.
Warts are caused by a virus and becomes a defect in the skin. Good pedal hygiene and not going barefoot is all you can do. If the diagnosis is incorrect there may be a different origin and possible prevention.
Plantar warts represent a subtype of the human papilloma virus (hpv). They are environmentally acquired. As such, your skin can in contact with the virus which found opportunity through local break to develop infection and the identified lesion(s) that now present. The best way to avoid relapse is to minimize future exposure by using foot wear in places that may have likelihood for surface presence of the virus, such as gym showers, pool decks, etc. You may also wish to periodically spray shoe or sandal with surface disinfectant that is good for viruses as well such as Lysol disinfectant spray.
Warts are caused by a virus. Avoiding contact with the virus is the best way. Wear proper shoes and footwear and clean surfaces well.
Jonathan M. Kletz, D.P.M.
Jonathan M. Kletz, D.P.M.
Hello and thank you for your question. Avoid barefoot walking and public pools/showers. I recommend you spray all of your shoes with Lysol once a week. Salicylic acid can be helpful as well. If conservative treatments do not resolve your plantar warts then you should consider seeing a medical professional. Good luck and have a great day.
There is no real way to prevent getting plantar warts. Some people are more susceptible to getting them. I find that Compound W gel works the best. I would recommend cleaning the shower or bathtub with Tylex after each use so you don't reinfect yourself or give it to others.
Dr. Lui
Dr. Lui
Warts are viral, so there is no true way to avoid them. You can, however, take some precautions. Never walk barefoot in public, keep stress levels down, practice antiseptic techniques for your shoe gear, and avoid contamination.
Ahmad Farah, DPM
Ahmad Farah, DPM
Plantar warts....ahh, what you have to know is that they are viruses, contagious and they love "moist feet!" So, you need a drying agent like zeasorb-af...CVS, Walgreens, Walmart for $10bucks. That's a start. Next, you need to remove as much of the callous as possible. Next, an acid like duofilm..(17% salicilic acid). That's the strongest you can get without a prescription. Put a couple drops on the wart, let it dry, then apply duct tape, yes, the gray 2"adhesive tape. Do this at night before bed. Use the powder during the day, STOP all caffeine products and wear semi synthetic socks. Use a pumous stone to remove callus. I highly recommend you see a board certified podiatric surgeon if you have done all this.
Good luck!
Dr. S
Good luck!
Dr. S
The best way to avoid plantar warts is to avoid being barefoot in public places. This is very important in wet areas such as public pools showers water parks etc.
Plantar warts are caused by a virus.
Unfortunately, there is nothing known that can "prevent" these from occurring. They are secondary to a viral infection that is inherent in the body, but manifests itself on the skin. General foot hygiene is encouraged.
There is no way to completely prevent warts. There are ways to avoid or minimize the risk. Such can be to avoid walking barefoot in gyms, pools, locker rooms.
OTC treatments do not work as well for getting rid of warts. See a podaitrist for better treatments of plantar warts
OTC treatments do not work as well for getting rid of warts. See a podaitrist for better treatments of plantar warts
Warts are viruses that are circulating in your body. I would recommend you make an appointment with a foot and ankle surgeon (podiatrist) to determine the treatment options
A plantar wart is actually caused by a Virus (HPV), so it is an infection. There are 7 layers to your Dermis, and the Virus resides in the 7th (deepest) layer. So warts are difficult to get rid of because you have to eradicate the Virus, and they generally have a 60-70% recurrence rate. In my practice, there are many things that I can do to treat them, but they often require multiple treatments. As far as prevention goes, try not to walk barefoot in high traffic areas where a lot of people might have spread the virus onto the floor or area you're walking on (such as public pools, bathrooms, and gyms). Keep your feet clean. DO NOT pick at your warts-you can transfer them to your hands or to other parts of your body. Also, many people confuse some corns and calluses as warts. As far as over the counter treatments, you can try acid plasters and Duofilm (also an acid), but be careful not to create an open wound on your skin by using too much acid-this could lead to infection.
Don't go barefoot in gyms or near public swimming pools. You may just be more susceptible of getting them.
I typically tell my patients to spray the inside of the shower with disinfecting spray as well as the inside of their shoes. Make sure that it is completely dry before using the shower as well as wearing the shoe. Warts are caused by a viral infection, so there is no sure way of prevention but disinfecting can decrease the viral load.
Plantar warts are caused by a virus and it may be impossible to prevent them 100% but you can lower your risk by not going barefoot in public areas, keep your feet and shoes dry.
