What is a wart?

Warts are a common dermatological condition caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). Warts can appear on different spots of the feet but are commonly found more in weight bearing areas such as the heel and the forefoot.

As the HPV infects the outside layers of the skin, it can appear grainy and rough with a raised layer of skin. Warts use the body's own arterial system to stay oxygenated thus blood vessels appearing as small red dots and is often used as a sign to distinguish it from an area of callous. Due to the raised nature of most warts, a person may be subject to pain due to increased ground pressure at the particular location.

Warts are viral, thus require treatment that will stimulate an immune response. Traditional methods of treating a wart include the use of salicylic acid, liquid nitrogen to freeze the tissue as well as silver nitrate. These treatments stimulate an immune response from the body, thus an immune boosting supplement may also be indicated to help ensure a stronger immune response and a quicker resolution. More recently non conventional methods such as microwave therapy and needling of warts has been indicated for more stubborn cases.

No 2 warts are ever the same and differ via size and depth. A person's overall health status and current level of immunity also impacts how fast a wart may clear. Depending on which treatment may also determine how fast a wart may completely fade away.

Due to the HPV warts can often appear again after a period of time and is not uncommon for a person who had warts in early childhood to have another wart in adulthood.