Warts are strongly associated with childhood, and for good reasons. First, the average kid has a lot more opportunity to encounter germs in general, including the virus that causes warts. And second, their immune systems often just aren’t strong enough yet to fight off the infection—hence, warts.
A wart on, say, the palm might or might not bother a child much, depending on their level of embarrassment or sensitivity. But a wart on the sole of the foot—in other words, a plantar wart—can cause pain, tenderness, and distress when pressed on by their own body weight.
But don’t worry! If your child has a plantar wart, we recommend that you take them to see us at Absolute Foot Care Specialists. Although there are plenty of over-the-counter remedies (and even a handful of “old wives’ tales” or other low-tech DIY solutions) that supposedly work, in our experience these are rarely effective or worth your time.
Our office provides a range of treatment methods, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. When it comes to dealing with warts, there’s usually a trade-off of sorts. Weaker medications and treatments are less invasive and have fewer side effects, but may require multiple appointments to fully eradicate the wart. Stronger medications may cause more discomfort, but also work faster. Some of the “peeling” treatments we may employ include salicylic acid and liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy).
At the extreme end—say for a wart that is very large or has remained stubbornly resistant to treatment—it may be best to cut it out and remove it surgically in one fell swoop.
The important thing to remember is that, while it may take two or three appointments, our medical treatments are a safe way to get rid of plantar warts in days or weeks, rather than the months or years they may take to go away on their own. That means healthier, happier kids sooner! To schedule your appointment, give us a call today at (702) 839-2010. You can also drop us a line online and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
