Foot warts, also known as plantar warts, are growths on the skin of the foot that usually appear on the ball and heel area. The HPV virus is what causes these skin growths, and the infection is usually picked up by walking around barefoot. Both adults and children can develop plantar warts. Foot warts can be a pain and make wearing shoes uncomfortable.
They can also worsen over time, as the pressure can cause them to grow inward. Warts can also spread to other areas of the body and to other people around you, as they are highly contagious.
So, who do you go to for the treatment of foot warts? Can podiatrists take care of this issue? The answer is yes – when it comes to the treatment of plantar warts, Culver City Foot and Ankle Specialists Dr. Leonard Knudson is the go-to podiatrist in West Los Angeles. This medical specialist specializes in treating foot and ankle problems and can effectively treat abnormal growths on your feet.
CRYOTHERAPY
This is one of the most common wart treatments used by podiatrists today. During this procedure, liquid nitrogen is applied directly to a wart with either an applicator or sprayer gun, which freezes off any abnormal growths in the area.
Scabs will form and fall off, allowing new skin to grow. This method typically requires more than one treatment session before warts completely go away. However, this is most effective in wart removal and can remove all visible signs of a wart.
SALICYLIC ACID TREATMENT
Another option commonly employed by foot doctors when treating patients with plantar warts is salicylic acid. Podiatrists use a prescription strength of this acid, which is much stronger than what you can buy at a drugstore. Salicylic acid works by helping remove the wart one layer at a time, as it stimulates exfoliation of the skin.
CANTHARIDIN
Our Culver City podiatrist may also use cantharidin, which is a type of burn agent that causes warts to form a blister and fall off. It usually takes several sessions before the warts are completely removed.
LASER THERAPY
If your plantar warts don’t respond well to cryotherapy or salicylic acid treatments, the doctor may recommend laser therapy, which involves the use of light energy to burn warts, causing them to fall off.
SURGERY
If all else fails, our Culver City podiatrist may perform minor surgery or an electrodesiccation and curettage, which involves either the cutting away of warts or using an electric needle to destroy them. However, this method may cause scarring.
It’s important to note that any form of plantar warts treatment should never be attempted at home without proper guidance from an experienced healthcare provider as complications could arise from incorrect application techniques.
Dr. Leonard Knudson, DPM is a well-equipped foot and ankle specialist in Culver City and is board certified to handle any foot and ankle issues. He will also educate you on how to prevent getting an HPV infection from your foot warts.
CULVER CITY FOOT DOCTOR SINCE 1982 HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA HOSPITAL CULVER CITY
Our services and treatments includes; Arch Disorders, Arch and Heel Pain, Ankle Pain, Ankle Therapy, Arthritis, Bunions, Calluses, Custom Orthotics, Diabetic Foot Treatments, Feet Pain, Foot Injury, Hammertoes, Heel Pain, Ingrown Toenails and more. View Full Service by clicking here.
The Associated Foot Care Clinic of Dr. Leonard J Knudson is located at 9808 Venice Blvd. Suite 600 in Culver City, California 90232. We are open from Mondays to Fridays, 9:00am to 5:00pm and we are closed during the weekends.
Dr. J. Leonard Knudson is a Foot and Ankle Surgeon located in Culver City and near West Los Angeles. We also tend to patients from nearby - UCLA, Brentwood, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Venice, Santa Monica and the West Los Angeles area.
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310-876-1579
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Hours of Operation
Mon-Fri 9:00am-5:00pm