Plantar warts are caused by the Human Papilloma (HP) virus. The virus invades your foot through cracks and breaks in the skin and thrives in warm, moist environments. That is why our shoes, public pools, and locker rooms are perfect breeding grounds for plantar warts. Places where people go barefoot, like karate, yoga, and gymnastic studios, are common places for spreading the virus. Treating plantar warts is important, so you do not get more warts or spread them to family members or others.
Top 5 Causes of Plantar Warts:
- Walking barefoot in public places.
- Your feet sweat a lot.
- Calloused or broken skin on the bottom of your foot.
- A family member has plantar warts.
- Weak immune system.
Walking Barefoot in Public Places
Public showers and public pools are places that many children and adults go barefoot…but, they should NOT! Because many people are walking around barefoot and there is warm standing water (like puddles of water), it is a perfect breeding ground for the HP virus. Flip flops or water shoes should be worn at public pools, public showers, and locker rooms.
Gyms, hotels, gymnastic mats, wrestling mats, and Karate studios are just a few of the other places that someone can pick up a plantar wart.
Your Feet Sweat a Lot
The Human Papilloma (HP) virus loves warm, moist areas, so sweaty feet increase the likelihood of getting a plantar wart.
Plantar warts are more common in kids and teens because they have sweaty feet and often wear shoes without socks…an ideal breeding ground for the HP virus. Adults with sweaty feet also suffer with plantar wart more often.
Callused or Broken skin
Having broken and damaged skin on the bottom of your feet will allow the HP virus to enter the skin and allow a plantar wart to start. Callused, dry and broken skin will allow the HP virus to enter the skin. Therefore, runners and people who work on their feet all day encounter plantar warts more often.
A Family Member has Plantar Warts
Families share showers, so if a family member has plantar wart, they can spread them on the shower floor…without the others being aware that there is a problem.
If someone in the family has a plantar wart, clean the shower with a bleach-based cleaner and have the family member with warts wear shower shoes or flip-flops in the shower until the warts are gone.
Weak Immune System
Viral warts affect children and teens more than adults because their immune systems have not developed the antibodies to fight strains of HP virus that cause warts. Eventually, we would hope the body recognizes the warts and do something about it…but it does not always happen.
Diabetics and patients who are immunocompromised (such as those taking medications that suppress the immune system) may also see warts develop.
If you have a plantar wart, it is important to treat the wart because you will risk getting more warts or passing them to others around you.
Wart Treatment in Parma and Rocky River, OH
If you or a loved one is dealing with stubborn warts that won't go away, our office can help. Ripepi Foot & Ankle Clinics offers a variety of treatment options to painlessly treat and get rid of plantar warts. Call our office at (440) 843-3692 or click here to make an appointment with our foot and ankle expert.
